Jessica Capshaw facts for kids

Jessica Brooke Capshaw (born August 9, 1976) is an American actress. She is well-known for playing Jamie Stringer in the TV show The Practice. She also played Dr. Arizona Robbins in the medical drama Grey's Anatomy.

Early Life and Education

Jessica Capshaw was born in Columbia, Missouri. Her mother, Kate Capshaw, is also an actress. When Jessica was 15, her mother married the famous director Steven Spielberg. This made Steven Spielberg her stepfather.

School Days and College

Jessica went to Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. She graduated from there in 1994. After high school, she attended Brown University. There, she studied English Literature and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1998. During her summer breaks, Jessica also took acting classes. She studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London. While there, she performed in a play called A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Acting Career Highlights

Jessica Capshaw started her acting career in the late 1990s. She appeared in several movies and TV shows.

Early Roles in Movies

In 1997, Jessica had a small role in the movie The Locusts. She then appeared in the independent film Denial in 1998. She also played Dorothy Wheeler in the movie Valentine in 2001. Later, she had a small part in the science fiction film Minority Report (2002). In 2006, she took on a main role in the movie The Groomsmen.

Becoming a Star on Grey's Anatomy

In 2009, Jessica Capshaw joined the popular medical drama Grey's Anatomy. She played a pediatric surgeon named Dr. Arizona Robbins. At first, she was only supposed to be in a few episodes. However, the show's creator, Shonda Rhimes, liked her so much. Jessica's role was expanded, and she became a regular cast member in the sixth season.

Her character, Arizona Robbins, became a love interest for another character, Callie Torres. Many fans enjoyed watching their story. Shonda Rhimes said she was very proud of adding Jessica to the cast. She felt their characters had great chemistry on screen.

Leaving and Returning to Television

Jessica Capshaw left Grey's Anatomy in March 2018. The show's producers made this decision for creative reasons. Jessica shared a message saying how important her character was. Dr. Arizona Robbins was one of the first LGBTQ+ characters to be a regular on network television. Her role had a lasting impact on many viewers.

In April 2025, it was announced that Jessica Capshaw would join a new TV series. She is part of the main cast for 9-1-1: Nashville. This show is expected to start in the fall of 2025.

Personal Life

Jessica Capshaw married Christopher Gavigan in 2004. They have four children together.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

See also

In Spanish: Jessica Capshaw para niños