Jessica Szohr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jessica Szohr
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![]() Szohr in 2019
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Born | |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 2003–present |
Spouse(s) |
Brad Richardson
(m. 2024) |
Children | 1 |
Jessica Szohr, born on March 31, 1985, is an American actress. She became well-known for her role as Vanessa Abrams in the popular teen drama series Gossip Girl, which she starred in from 2007 to 2012. Jessica has also appeared in several movies, including the horror film Piranha 3D (2010) and the comedy The Internship (2013). More recently, she has been a main character, Talla Keyali, in the science fiction series The Orville since 2018.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Growing Up in Wisconsin
Jessica Szohr was born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. She comes from a Hungarian and African-American background. Jessica is the oldest of five children. When she was younger, she even started a cleaning company with a friend, helping to clean their teachers' homes.
Starting as a Model
Jessica began her career as a child model. She appeared in advertisements for stores like Kohl's and other brands such as Crate & Barrel and Mountain Dew. She finished high school early and moved to Los Angeles with her mother at age 17. She wanted to become an interior designer at first, but her agent encouraged her to try acting auditions.
Acting Career Highlights
Early TV Roles
Jessica Szohr started acting in 2003. Her first role was in an episode of the TV show My Wife and Kids. She also appeared in other popular teen shows like That's So Raven, Drake & Josh, and Joan of Arcadia. She even had a role in three episodes of the crime show CSI: Miami.
Breakthrough on Gossip Girl
In 2007, Jessica got her big break playing Vanessa Abrams in Gossip Girl. Her character, Vanessa, was known for being a strong and independent girl from Brooklyn. Jessica was first a recurring character, but she became a main cast member in the first season. She left the show after the fourth season in 2011 but made a special appearance in the series finale in 2012.
Movies and Other Projects
Jessica has acted in various films. She was in the horror movie Piranha 3D in 2010, where she played a character named Kelly. Filming this movie was challenging because it required her to be underwater, and she wasn't a strong swimmer. For her role in Piranha 3D, she received the Breakthrough Actress in Film award in 2010.
She also appeared in romantic comedies like Love, Wedding, Marriage (2011) and the comedy film The Internship (2013). In 2013, she was featured in Taylor Swift's music video for the song "22".
Recent TV Work
More recently, Jessica has continued to work in television. She was a main character in the medical drama Complications in 2015. She also had a recurring role in the MMA drama Kingdom and appeared in Twin Peaks and Shameless. Since 2018, she has been a main cast member on the science fiction series The Orville, playing Talla Keyali.
XOXO with Jessica Szohr Podcast
On January 26, 2022, Jessica launched her own podcast called XOXO with Jessica Szohr. In this podcast, she talks with the cast and crew of Gossip Girl, sharing fun behind-the-scenes stories and memories from the show.
Personal Life and Hobbies
Jessica Szohr enjoys many outdoor activities. She loves snowboarding, hiking, and yoga. She is also a big fan of football, especially the Green Bay Packers team, which is from her home state of Wisconsin.
Jessica is married to former professional ice hockey player Brad Richardson. They welcomed their daughter on January 11, 2021. Jessica and Brad got engaged in May 2022 and were married in August 2024.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Jessica Szohr para niños