Leighton Meester

Leighton Marissa Claire Meester (born April 9, 1986 in Marco Island, Florida) is an American actress, best known for her role as Blair Waldorf in the book-based TV show Gossip Girl. Her first acting role on a television program was on NBC's legal drama Law & Order in 1999. Other series in which Meester has appeared include , 8 Simple Rules, 24, 7th Heaven, and House.

Career

Meester became interested in acting when she appeared in a local production of The Wizard of Oz. When she was 11, she moved with her family to New York City and soon after began working as a model with Wilhemina, booking a Ralph Lauren campaign shot by Bruce Webber and working with then-photographer Sofia Coppola.
Other roles include a role as Savannah Bennett on Surface. She has guest starred as Debbie Pendleton on Season 4 of the FOX drama 24, as Ali in episode 3 and 4 of Season 3 of the FOX drama House, as Carrie Bishop on Season 1 of the UPN drama Veronica Mars, and Chandler's new girlfriend Kendall in Season 8 of the WB drama 7th Heaven, as well as the role of Justine Chapin in Season 1 of the HBO comedy Entourage.
Meester made her film debut in the feature Hangman's Curse, based on the best-selling novel by Frank Peretti. She also starred in the independent film Flourish with House co-stars Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer, and in the drama Inside. In 2006, she wrapped the female lead role in the comedy/horror film Drive-Thru. She has also recorded a song for the soundtrack of Drive-Thru. In the spring of 2006, she played a part in the ensemble comedy/drama entitled The Beautiful Ordinary. Meester's upcoming feature films roles include the dramedy The Beautiful Ordinary and the thriller Dead of Night.
Currently, Meester stars as Blair Waldorf in The CW series Gossip Girl, from Josh Schwartz, creator of The O.C. and based on the book series about the lives of New York's two privileged Upper East Side high school students. Meester has stated in interviews that she identifies with Blair "on every level, in one way or another." She has also recently guest starred on and has a recurring role on James Woods' court drama Shark. When not on the set, Meester, who attended Beverly Hills High School, pursues her talent for music and creative writing. She currently resides in New York.
She has worked with actress Kristen Bell on two TV series. In Gossip Girl, Bell provides the voice of Gossip Girl and Leighton plays Blair Waldorf, and in Veronica Mars, which stars Bell, Leighton appeared briefly as gossip queen Carrie Bishop.