Hilarie Burton Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Hilarie Burton
Burton in 2016
Born	Hilarie Ros Burton (1982-07-01) July 1, 1982 (age 43) Sterling, Virginia, U.S.
Other names	Hilarie Burton Morgan
Alma mater	Fordham University
Occupation	Actress TV host
Years active	1997–present
Spouse(s)	Jeffrey Dean Morgan (m. 2019)
Children	2

Hilarie Ros Burton (born July 1, 1982), also known as Hilarie Burton Morgan, is an American actress and TV host. She became well-known for her role as Peyton Sawyer on the TV show One Tree Hill. Before acting, Hilarie was a host on MTV's popular show Total Request Live.

After One Tree Hill, she appeared in movies like Our Very Own and Solstice. She also had important roles in TV series such as White Collar and Grey's Anatomy. More recently, Hilarie co-hosted the Drama Queens podcast with her former One Tree Hill co-stars.

Early Life and School Days
Her Career in TV and Film
Personal Life
Awards and Nominations
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and School Days

Hilarie Burton was born and grew up in Sterling, Virginia. Her father was a soldier in the US Army. Her mother works as a real estate agent. Hilarie is the oldest of four children and has three younger brothers.

She went to Park View High School. She was very active in school activities. She was the student council treasurer in her second year. In her third year, she became the vice-president. During her final year, she was the captain of the cheerleading team. She was also the student council president and the homecoming queen.

Her Career in TV and Film

Hilarie Burton started her career as a media personality. She then moved into acting and even producing.

Becoming a TV Host

Hilarie's first big chance came at MTV. She worked as a VJ for Total Request Live (TRL). She was first asked to be a guest for just one part of the show. But the producers liked her so much they offered her a full-time job.

She also hosted other MTV events. These included the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards and MTV's Iced Out New Year's Eve. In 2002, she appeared as herself on the TV show Dawson's Creek. This was her first time on a TV drama.

Acting Roles

Hilarie Burton in June 2008

In 2003, Hilarie got a main role in One Tree Hill. She played Peyton Sawyer, a creative artist and cheerleader. The show quickly became very popular. This role made Hilarie famous and is still her most recognized work.

For her role, she was featured on the covers of magazines like American Cheerleader Magazine and People. She was nominated for three Teen Choice Awards. Hilarie decided to leave the show after six seasons in 2009.

While still on One Tree Hill, Hilarie also started acting in movies. In 2005, she was in Our Very Own. She and her co-stars won an award for "Outstanding Ensemble Acting". She also appeared in the horror film Solstice in 2007.

In 2007, Hilarie started her own production company called Southern Gothic Production (SoGoPro). This company helps create new projects.

In 2008, she acted in The Secret Life of Bees. She played the mother of Dakota Fanning's character. She also appeared in the movie The List.

Later, Hilarie joined the TV series White Collar in 2010. She played Sara Ellis, an insurance investigator. She was a main character in the third season. She also had guest roles in shows like Castle and Grey's Anatomy. In 2016, she played Karen Palmer on Lethal Weapon.

In 2021, Hilarie appeared in The Walking Dead. She played Lucille, the wife of the character Negan. Her real-life husband, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, plays Negan in the show.

Writing and Podcasts

Hilarie Burton has also become an author. On May 5, 2020, she released her first non-fiction book. It is called The Rural Diaries: Love, Livestock, and Big Life Lessons Down on Mischief Farm.

She published her memoir, Grimoire Girl: A Memoir of Magic and Mischief, on April 25, 2023. A memoir is a book about a person's own life experiences.

Since 2021, Hilarie has been a co-host on the Drama Queens podcast. She hosts it with her former One Tree Hill co-stars, Sophia Bush and Bethany Joy Lenz. The podcast ended in the summer of 2024.

Personal Life

Burton holding an M4 carbine during a USO visit

While filming One Tree Hill, Hilarie lived in Wilmington, North Carolina. This is where the show was filmed.

Hilarie started dating actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan in 2009. They were introduced by their friends Jensen Ackles and Danneel Ackles. Their first child, a son, was born in March 2010. Their second child, a daughter, was born in February 2018. Hilarie and Jeffrey got married on October 5, 2019. Jensen Ackles was the one who led their wedding ceremony.

Hilarie has openly shared about her journey to have children. She has said it took five years to successfully have her second baby.

Hilarie has family in Wilmington, North Carolina. She has supported the Wilmington community over the years. For example, she has helped raise money for a film called Wilmington on Fire. This film is about the Wilmington massacre.

Awards and Nominations

Hilarie Burton has been recognized for her acting.

In 2006, she won the "Outstanding Ensemble Acting" award at the Sarasota Film Festival for Our Very Own.
In 2008, she won the "Ensemble Acting of the Year" award at the Hollywood Film Awards for The Secret Life of Bees, shared with the other actors.
She was also nominated several times for the Teen Choice Awards for her role in One Tree Hill.