Bethany Joy Lenz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bethany Joy Lenz
Lenz in 2022
Born	(1981-04-02) April 2, 1981 (age 44) Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
Other names	Bethany Joy Joy Lenz Bethany Joy Galeotti Joie Lenz
Occupation	Actress singer-songwriter
Years active	1988–present
Spouse(s)	Michael Galeotti ​ ​ (m. 2005; div. 2012)​
Children	1

Bethany Joy Lenz (born April 2, 1981) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for playing Haley James Scott on the TV show One Tree Hill. This popular drama aired from 2003 to 2012.

She also played Michelle Bauer Santos on the soap opera Guiding Light from 1998 to 2000. Besides acting, Bethany Joy Lenz is known for her music. She performs as a solo artist and was part of the band Everly. Since 2021, she has been a co-host on the Drama Queens podcast. She hosts it with her former One Tree Hill co-stars, Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton Morgan.

Acting Career

Early Roles

Bethany Joy Lenz started acting when she was young. Her first professional job was in a commercial for dolls. She also appeared in commercials for popular brands like Eggo Waffles and Dr Pepper.

By her second year of high school, she got a role in the movie Thinner. She continued to act in various shows and films. She also performed in local theater plays.

Starring in Guiding Light

At age 17, Lenz joined the cast of the soap opera Guiding Light. She first played a teenage clone character for nine episodes. Viewers and critics loved her performance. Because of this, she was later cast as Michelle Bauer Santos. This was unusual in the TV industry.

While working on Guiding Light, she finished high school in New Jersey. She also acted in a TV movie called Mary and Rhoda. In this movie, she played the daughter of Mary Tyler Moore's character.

Life After Guiding Light

After two years, Lenz left Guiding Light and moved to Los Angeles. There, she appeared in musicals like Happy Days: the Musical. She also had guest roles on several TV shows. These included Charmed, Felicity, and The Guardian. In 2002, she joined the movie Bring It On Again.

One Tree Hill Success

When she was 22, Lenz was cast in the TV series One Tree Hill. She tried out for two roles but got the part of Haley James. Haley was a friendly, smart girl who was best friends with Lucas Scott and later married Nathan Scott.

During her time on One Tree Hill, Lenz also directed three episodes. She learned by watching other directors for two years. One Tree Hill ran for nine seasons and ended in 2012.

Recent TV Shows

After One Tree Hill, Lenz looked for new types of roles. In 2012, she guest-starred in an episode of Men at Work. She played a single mom named Meg.

In 2013, she had a recurring role on Dexter. She played Cassie Jollenston for four episodes. She also filmed a pilot show for E! called Songbyrd.

Lenz appeared in the ABC drama The Catch in 2015. In 2016, she was in the short film Grace. She also appeared in two episodes of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the drama American Gothic.

Since 2021, she has been a co-host on the Drama Queens podcast. She hosts it with her former One Tree Hill co-stars.

Music Career

Early Albums

After leaving Guiding Light, Bethany Joy Lenz recorded her own music. She plays guitar and piano and writes her own songs. Her first album, Preincarnate, came out in 2002.

While working on One Tree Hill, she kept making music. In 2005, she recorded "When the Stars Go Blue" with her co-star Tyler Hilton. They went on a 25-city tour together. During this tour, she released her second album, Come On Home. She also filmed a music video for her song "Songs in My Pockets".

In 2006, Lenz co-wrote the song "Halo". It was released on the One Tree Hill Soundtrack. She signed with Sony Epic Records but later left the label. She then signed with an independent label called Hillasterion.

Everly Band and Solo Work

In 2008, Lenz started the band Everly with her friend Amber Sweeney. They performed for military personnel with other musicians. This concert was even shown in an episode of One Tree Hill.

The Everly band split up in 2012. Both artists wanted to focus on their solo careers. In November 2012, Lenz performed new songs at a concert in New York City. She also sold a 9-song CD called Then Slowly Grows.

In 2013, Lenz recorded a new album in Nashville. She shared a sneak peek of a new song called "Please". She planned to release her first full-length album, Your Woman, independently.

In 2014, Lenz released "Calamity Jane" as a teaser for her new album. She also started a Kickstarter page to fund a new EP. This EP, called "Get Back to Gold", was released in December 2014.

Lenz later formed Joy Lenz and the Firepit Band. They toured in 2016 and planned a new album for 2017. In December 2020, Lenz released her first solo Christmas album, Snow. It included four original songs.

The Notebook Musical

In 2005, Bethany Joy Lenz was inspired by the movie The Notebook. She started writing songs based on the story. After six weeks, she decided to create a musical. She worked with producer Ron Aniello on this project.

They finished writing the musical and shared it with the book's author, Nicholas Sparks. He loved it, and Lenz got the rights to make the musical. Auditions were held in 2009. The musical was shown to Broadway producers and investors. They gave positive feedback.

In 2010, Lenz recorded songs for the musical with other singers. She also rewrote some parts. The musical included songs like "The Colors Play" and "Sunday Train".

Personal Life

Lenz at the Nicholas Sparks Celebrity Family Weekend in 2012

Bethany Joy Lenz married musician Michael Galeotti on December 31, 2005. In 2011, they welcomed a daughter. In March 2012, Lenz announced that she and Michael were getting a divorce. She said they would remain friends and raise their daughter together.

Helping Others

Bethany Joy Lenz supports the organization Love146. This group works to protect human rights around the world. In 2011, she launched an online shop called Lark. It sells clothes with her original designs. All the money from sales goes to charities like Love146, To Write Love On Her Arms, and Reading is Fundamental.

Jewelry Design

In 2016, Lenz designed her own jewelry line with Stilnest. The jewelry features a buffalo design. This was inspired by a trip she took to Fort Apache. Lenz donated ten percent of the profits to the Tanka Fund.

Filmography

Films

Television Shows

As a Director or Producer

Podcasts

Theater Performances

Awards and Nominations

Music Albums

Here is a list of albums and songs recorded by Bethany Joy Lenz.

Studio Albums

EPs (Extended Plays)

Singles

Other Songs

• "215"
• "February Leather"
• "Cameron"
• "I'll Never Walk Alone"
• "The Loneliness is Better Near Now"
• "One More Thing"
• "Ophelia"
• "Troublesome Tongue"
• "Street Where You Live"
• "It Happens"
• "It's Magic"
• "Someone to Watch Over Me"
• "Lullaby"

Images for kids

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  Lenz in France at the 2012 OTH Convention

See also

In Spanish: Bethany Joy Lenz para niños