Bijou Phillips facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bijou Phillips
Phillips in March 2005
Born	Bijou Mary Phillips (1980-04-01) April 1, 1980 (age 45) Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Occupation	Actress model socialite singer
Years active	1994–2013
Spouse(s)	Danny Masterson ​ ​ (m. 2011; separated 2023)​
Children	1
Parent(s)	John Phillips Geneviève Waïte
Relatives	Mackenzie Phillips (half-sister) Chynna Phillips (half-sister)

Bijou Mary Phillips Masterson (born April 1, 1980) is an American model, socialite, and former actress and singer. She is the daughter of musicians John Phillips and Geneviève Waïte. Bijou Phillips started her career as a model.

She made her singing debut with the album I'd Rather Eat Glass in 1999. Her first major film role was in Black and White (1999). She also acted in movies like Almost Famous (2000), Bully (2001), The Door in the Floor (2004), Havoc (2005), Hostel: Part II (2007), and Choke (2008). From 2010 to 2013, she played Lucy Carlyle on the TV show Raising Hope.

Early Life and Family

Bijou Phillips was born on April 1, 1980, in Greenwich, Connecticut. Her father, John Phillips, was a member of the famous music group the Mamas and the Papas. Her mother, Geneviève Waïte, was a model, artist, and actress from South Africa.

Bijou was named after the song "My Petite Bijou," and "bijou" means 'jewel' in French. She is the youngest of her father's children. She has a brother named Tamerlane and three half-siblings: Mackenzie, Jeffrey, and Chynna.

After her parents separated, Bijou lived with a foster family for a time. She also spent time with her parents. Her father gained custody of her when she was in third grade. She then moved with him to Lloyd Harbor, New York.

When she was 14, Phillips moved into her own apartment in New York City. She was known for being a bit rebellious during her teenage years.

Career Beginnings

Modeling and Music

Bijou Phillips started modeling at a young age. She appeared on the cover of Interview magazine when she was 13. Soon after, she was featured on the cover of Vogue Italia. She also became a model for Calvin Klein. Phillips has said she did not enjoy the modeling world.

At 17, she signed a record deal and began working on her first album. The album, titled I'd Rather Eat Glass, was released on May 11, 1999. This is her only full-length music album so far. The title of the album shows her dislike for modeling. She worked with several artists to write songs for the album. Music critics had mixed reviews for the album.

Early Film Roles

Phillips made her first film appearance in a small role in the independent drama Sugar Town (1999). Her first main film role came in the same year. She played a character named Charlie in James Toback's drama Black and White. In this film, she acted alongside stars like Robert Downey Jr., Jared Leto, and Elijah Wood. The movie received mixed reviews.

Acting Career

Breakthrough Roles (2000–2005)

In 2000, Bijou Phillips appeared with Kate Hudson in Almost Famous. This film was a musical drama directed by Cameron Crowe. It was very popular with critics and received four Academy Award nominations.

In 2001, Phillips starred in two independent films. In Tart, she played the friend of a young woman at a school in 1980s New York City. She also starred in Bully, a film based on a true story. In Bully, she played one of several young people who planned to harm a friend who had been abusive to them. Her performance in Bully earned her recognition as one of 2002's "Shooting Stars of Tomorrow" by The Hollywood Reporter.

In 2003, Phillips acted with Mischa Barton in the thriller Octane. In 2004, she played a nanny in The Door in the Floor, a drama starring Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger. She also provided the voice for Helena Wankstein in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Phillips starred with Anne Hathaway in the crime drama Havoc (2005). She played a spoiled socialite. Critics praised her performance in the film. She also appeared in the slasher film Venom (2005).

Later Film and Television Work (2006–2013)

In 2007, Phillips starred in the independent horror film The Wizard of Gore. She also worked with actress Lauren German in three films, including the comedy-drama Spin. Phillips also appeared in Hostel: Part II, a horror film. She mentioned that filming her scenes in this movie was very challenging.

The biographical film What We Do Is Secret featured Phillips as Lorna Doom, a bassist for the band Germs. Critics praised her portrayal of the character. In 2008, Phillips appeared in a documentary about the Hotel Chelsea called Chelsea on the Rocks. She also starred in the black comedy Choke, based on a novel. Her last film of 2008 was Dark Streets, where she played a singer.

In 2009, Phillips had roles in four independent films. Three of these films were with Danny Masterson. She appeared in the romantic comedy Wake and the horror film It's Alive. She also starred in the comedy Made for Each Other and the crime drama The Bridge to Nowhere.

From 2010 to 2013, Phillips played Lucy Carlyle in the TV sitcom Raising Hope. She appeared in seven episodes of the series. She also made guest appearances in TV shows like Hawaii Five-0 (2010) and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2012). Phillips has not acted since her last appearance in Raising Hope. She chose to focus on her family and health.

Personal Life

Bijou Phillips began dating actor Danny Masterson in 2004. They were married in October 2011. They are both followers of Scientology. On February 14, 2014, Phillips gave birth to their daughter. Phillips and Masterson worked together in several films and on an episode of Raising Hope.

In 2017, it was shared that Phillips had been dealing with kidney disease for five years. She was born with small kidneys and needed a transplant, which she received in April 2017.

In May 2023, her husband, Danny Masterson, was found guilty of certain serious crimes. In September 2023, he was sentenced to a long prison term. Later that month, Bijou Phillips filed for divorce.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video Games

Discography

Albums

• I'd Rather Eat Glass (1999)

Singles

Promotional singles

• "Hawaii" (1999)

See also

In Spanish: Bijou Phillips para niños