Shannyn Sossamon

Shannon Marie Sossamon (born October 3, 1978), better known as Shannyn Sossamon, is an American actress, musician, dancer and mother.

Biography

Early life

Sossamon was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Sherry Sossamon and Todd Lindberg, and grew up in Reno, Nevada. She is of French, Hawaiian, Dutch, English, Irish, Filipino and German descent; her maternal grandmother is Hawaiian-Filipino, and her maternal grandfather is English-German. The y in her first name was an adolescent addition in 1995. After her high school graduation, Sossamon moved to Los Angeles where she pursued a career in dance. Sossamon appeared in television commercials and had DJ gigs in local clubs. In 1999, Sossamon was discovered by casting director Francine Maisler, while assisting a friend DJ at Gwyneth Paltrow's birthday party.

Career

Her first film role was the female lead in A Knight's Tale. She had five auditions for the role of Jocelyn. Then in 2002, she played the love interest of Josh Hartnett in 40 Days and 40 Nights. Next up came Roger Avary's "The Rules of Attraction" based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis. After one more film with Heath Ledger and director Brian Helgeland, Sossamon became pregnant and took a break from acting in films. In 2005 Sossamon tiptoed back into the industry with smaller parts in smaller films.
In 2007 she will be seen in the films "Wristcutters: A Love Story" with Patrick Fugit and Tom Waits and "One Missed Call" with Edward Burns. Sossamon also has a small part in the upcoming Nancy Meyers film "The Holiday" slated for December 2006.
In 2006 she started an artistic group titled Maudegone.

Personal life

Sossamon has 3 tattoos, including an S with a flower on her back shoulder. She has a son named Audio Science Clayton and continues to study music, acting and dance.