Emily Deschanel life and biography

Emily Deschanel: Unveiling Her Journey From Los Angeles to Stardom

Emily Deschanel, the talented actress renowned for her striking pale blue eyes, was born on October 11, 1976, in Los Angeles, California. She is the eldest daughter of the acclaimed cinematographer, Caleb Deschanel, known for his work on iconic films such as "The Passion of the Christ" and "Titanic." Her mother, Mary Jo Deschanel, is also an actress, and she has a younger sister, Zooey Deschanel, who has made a name for herself in the acting world.

Early Life

From a young age, Emily faced the challenges of life as her parents divorced during her childhood, and her mother tragically passed away while she was in her teens. Despite these early hardships, Emily sought solace and purpose through her passion for acting. At the age of fourteen, she discovered her love for music and picked up a one-string acoustic guitar, drawing inspiration from legendary artists like Muddy Waters and Lightnin' Hopkins. With time, her father recognized her talent and gifted her an electric guitar, allowing her to hone her skills through countless hours of dedicated practice and learning from musicians such as Chuck Berry.

After a brief stint in the military, Emily was discharged, as her unwavering dedication to playing the guitar took precedence over her military service. Following her time in the Army, she moved to Nashville, seeking to form a band that could match her unique playing style. While she managed to make a modest living playing in various black clubs, she yearned for more significant opportunities, which led her to New York City. In Greenwich Village, her talent caught the eye of a producer who would ultimately change her life.

Career Journey

Emily's career as an actress and musician began to flourish when she landed her initial roles in projects like "It's a Shame About Ray" and "Rose Red." These early experiences allowed her to gradually gain her footing in the entertainment industry. As her confidence and talent grew, so did her presence on screen and stage.

In 2003, Emily Deschanel made a notable appearance in the hit film "Cold Mountain," followed by a role in "The Alamo." It was at this point that audiences began to take notice of her immense talent. Simultaneously, Emily continued to perform in plays for the Interact Theatre Company, showcasing her versatility as a performer.

However, it was in 2005 that Emily's career took a significant turn. She transitioned to the small screen, earning a pivotal role as forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan in the Fox crime drama series "Bones." In this role, Emily's character played a crucial part in solving intricate crimes by identifying bodies and determining their causes of death based on skeletal remains. The series ran for an impressive 12 seasons, marking her long-standing success in the television industry.

Emily's performance in "Bones" earned her several award nominations and further solidified her reputation as a talented and versatile actress. During the show's production, she also portrayed the character in crossover episodes of "Sleepy Hollow" and "BoJack Horseman," highlighting her adaptability across different genres.

Personal Life

Apart from her professional accomplishments, Emily Deschanel is deeply passionate about social causes. Her commitment to animal welfare led her to provide narration for the documentary "My Child Is a Monkey" and serve as an associate producer on the film "How I Became an Elephant." She ranks at number 72 on The 2012 Hot 100 on AfterEllen, a testament to her lasting impact in the entertainment industry.

Emily married David Hornsby, an actor and writer known for his role in "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," in a private ceremony in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles on September 25, 2010. The couple welcomed their first son on September 21, 2011, and their second son on June 8, 2015. Interestingly, both pregnancies were incorporated into the storyline of "Bones."

In her personal life, Emily shares a strong bond with her co-star Michaela Conlin, who played her best friend Angela Montenegro on "Bones." She also has a close and productive working relationship with David Boreanaz, her co-star on the show.

In 2015, Emily Deschanel, along with her co-star David Boreanaz, Reichs, and the executive producer Barry Josephson, filed a lawsuit against Fox, alleging that they were not fairly compensated for their share of the series' profits. This legal battle resulted in a substantial award to the actors, although it was later voided by the court. Eventually, the parties reached an undisclosed settlement in September 2019, concluding the dispute.

Selected filmography of Emily Deschanel:

Films:
It Could Happen to You (1994)
Cold Mountain (2003)
The Alamo (2004)
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Boogeyman (2005)
Glory Road (2006)
My Sister's Keeper (2009)
The Perfect Family (2011)
Answer This! (2011)
Unity (2015)
Big Boys (2023)

Television:
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2002)
Providence (2002)
Bones (2005-2017)
American Dad! (2012)
The Cleveland Show (2010-2011)
Drunk History (2014, 2019)
Animal Kingdom (2019)
Sleepy Hollow (2015)
BoJack Horseman (2016)
The Rookie (2021)
Devil in Ohio (2022)

Read more