Emily Deschanel

Emily Deschanel Headshot

Actress

Birth Date: October 11, 1976

Age: 47 years old

Birth Place: Los Angeles, California

Spouses: David Hornsby

Siblings: Zooey Deschanel

Hailing from a Hollywood family, the striking Emily Deschanel - along with her younger sister, Zooey - was destined to enter show business. Although she debuted with a bit part in "It Could Happen to You" (1994), Deschanel's first major role came years later as a psychic in Stephen King's "Rose Red" (ABC, 2002). She landed small parts in "Cold Mountain" (2003), "The Alamo" (2004) and "Spider-Man 2" (2004), as well as leading roles in "Boogeyman" (2005) and "Glory Road" (2006), but broke through as the titular star of television's "Bones" (Fox, 2005- ). As a brilliant forensic anthropologist/author who uses logic and science to solve crimes alongside her partner, the emotional action hero Booth (David Boreanaz), Deschanel earned worldwide fame and a loyal fanbase for the megahit show, which successfully mixed mystery and suspense with comedy and romantic tension. With her ample acting talent, quirky beauty and unique screen presence, Emily Deschanel essayed strong, intelligent women in each project she took on.

Born Oct. 11, 1976 in Los Angeles, Emily Erin Deschanel was the daughter of actress Mary Jo Weir and Oscar-nominated cinematographer Caleb Deschanel. She and her younger sister, actress Zooey Deschanel, grew up traveling around the world for their father's film shoots. A vegan since high school, Deschanel debuted as an animal rights activist who flings paint on Rosie Perez's new fur coat in the Nicolas Cage/Bridget Fonda comedy "It Could Happen to You" (1994). The actress later graduated from Boston University with a degree in theatre before breaking into television with a series of appearances in the early 2000s, including a flashy role as a psychic in Stephen King's horror miniseries "Rose Red" (ABC, 2002). Guest appearances on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC, 1999- ) and "Providence" (NBC, 1999-2002) soon followed.

Deschanel returned to the big screen in a tiny but memorable role in the Oscar-winning Civil War drama, "Cold Mountain" (2003) as Mrs. Morgan, a hospital volunteer who cares for wounded soldier W.P. Inman (Jude Law) by reading aloud letters from his love, Ada (Nicole Kidman). The following year, the rising actress reached a new plateau of fame when she was named one of Interview magazine's "Six Actors to Watch" in their annual "Young Hollywood" issue, for small turns in the historical film "The Alamo" (2004) and the worldwide blockbuster "Spider-Man 2" (2004), as well as a guest turn on "Crossing Jordan" (NBC, 2001-07). She starred alongside Barry Watson in the moderately successful, big screen horror movie, "Boogeyman" (2005), and as the wife of groundbreaking basketball coach Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) in the racially-charged basketball drama "Glory Road" (2006), but found her star-making role on television.

Recommended by "Glory Road" producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Deschanel successfully auditioned for a new crime series that mixed elements of comedy, mystery, suspense and romance. Based loosely on the life of the real-life Kathy Reichs, the crime drama "Bones" (Fox, 2005- ) cast Deschanel as its titular star, Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan, a brilliant forensic anthropologist and best-selling author who helps the FBI solve cases. Socially clueless but intellectually gifted, Brennan's hyper-logical approach to life added a light comic touch to the crime show and played nicely off of her partner, the hot-tempered and unscientific man-of-action, FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz). Featuring top-notch production and a likable and talented supporting cast, the enjoyable show became an enormous hit.

The biggest ingredient to its success was the chemistry between Deschanel and Boreanaz, who played two incredibly talented individuals who were not only an enormously winning romantic pair, but a professional one as well. Reminiscent of the best of the Mulder and Scully era from "The X-Files" (Fox, 1993-2002), the Bones-and-Booth pairing provided such appealing sexual tension that fans not only tuned in every week to analyze every interaction between their favorite almost-couple, but also spent considerable time and energy online discussing their affection for the duo and show. "Bones" proved successful at keeping this tension alive, a challenge which stymied many other series over the years, and it settled into a lengthy and profitable run. As the clear-eyed pillar of scientific strength Bones, Deschanel earned nominations for a Satellite and Teen Choice Award as well as an ongoing producer credit for her role in the show's extraordinary success.

On the big screen, the actress appeared as a doctor in the Cameron Diaz/Abigail Breslin cancer drama "My Sister's Keeper" (2009), based on the novel by Jodi Picoult. The film was a true labor of love for Deschanel since her mother also played a small role and her father served as director of photography on it. That same year, sister Zooey guested on "Bones" as Margaret, a Benjamin Franklin-quoting second cousin of Brennan's. The elder Deschanel voiced a fictionalized Julia Roberts on an episode of "The Cleveland Show" (Fox, 2009-13) and on Sept. 25, 2010, married writer-actor David Hornsby.

Credits

Big Boys

Actor
Nicole
Movie
2023

Devil in OhioStream

Actor
Dr. Suzanne Mathis
Miniseries
2022
50%

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2019

The RookieStream

Guest Star
Sarah Nolan
Series
2018

Celebrity Animal Encounters

Self
Show
2017

Carpool Karaoke: The SeriesStream

Guest
Reality
2017

Live with Kelly and Ryan

Guest
Talk
2017

Harry

Guest
Talk
2016

Animal KingdomStream

Guest Star
Angela
Series
2016

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Guest
Talk
2015

Unity

Narrator
Movie
2015

Late Night With Seth MeyersStream

Guest
Talk
2014

Beyond Beyond

Voice
The Captain
Movie
2014

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

Sleepy HollowStream

Guest Star
Series
2013
74%

Bones: Extras

Actor
Show
2013

Drunk HistoryStream

Guest Star
Series
2013

The Diagnosis

Actor
Show
2013

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Guest
Talk
2012

Dish Nation

Guest
Talk
2011

The Perfect Family

Actor
Shannon
Movie
2011

ConanStream

Guest
Talk
2010

The Talk

Guest
Talk
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

Fox Fall Preview 2010

Host
Show
2010

The Cleveland ShowStream

Guest Voice
Herself
Series
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

My Sister's KeeperStream

Actor
Dr. Farquad
Movie
2009
47%

The Bonnie Hunt Show

Guest
Talk
2008

Free Radio

Guest Star
Show
2008

Mute

Actor
Show
2008

Rachael Ray ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2006

Glory Road

Actor
Mary Haskins
Movie
2006

BonesStream

Actor
Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan
Series
2005
90%

ET Canada

Guest
Show
2005

American DadStream

Guest Voice
Emily Deschanel
Series
2005

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
Talk
2005

Boogeyman

Actor
Kate
Movie
2005

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
Talk
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

Easy

Actor
Laura
Movie
2003

Rose RedStream

Actor
Miniseries
2002
42%

Rose Red

Actor
Pam Asbury
Movie
2002

Law & Order: Special Victims UnitStream

Guest Star
Cassie Germaine
Series
1999
78%

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

Late Show With David Letterman

Guest
Talk
1993

The SimpsonsStream

Guest Voice
Self
Series
1989
85%

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutEmily Deschanel

Bones - Emily Deschanel
Q&A

‘Bones’: Emily Deschanel Says Rewatch Podcast Gives Her ‘New Appreciation for the Show’

Emily Deschanel in Devil in Ohio
Premiere

Emily Deschanel Says ‘Devil in Ohio’ Plays With ‘What’s Good, What’s Bad, What’s Evil’ (VIDEO)

Emily Deschanel, Sam Jaeger and more in Netflix's 'Devil in Ohio'
Fall Preview

‘Devil in Ohio’: Emily Deschanel on Her Character’s ‘Huge Ethical Breach’ in Netflix Drama

Emily Deschanel as Suzanne Mathis in Devil in Ohio

‘Devil in Ohio’ Trailer: Emily Deschanel Tries to Protect a Teen From a Cult (VIDEO)

Emily Deschanel, Devil in Ohio

‘Bones’ Star Emily Deschanel to Lead ‘Devil in Ohio’ Thriller Series on Netflix

Animal Kingdom - Emily Deschanel and Shawn Hatosy
Spoiler Alert

Why Was [Spoiler] Was Killed Off on ‘Animal Kingdom’?

Emily Deschanel The Rookie Season 3 Sarah

Sneak Peek: Emily Deschanel as Nathan Fillion’s Ex-Wife on ‘The Rookie’ (VIDEO)

Ellen Barkin and Shawn Hatosy in Animal Kingdom
Spoiler Alert

‘Animal Kingdom’ EP Talks Saying Goodbye to Smurf and What’s Next

Animal Kingdom - Shawn Hatosy
Q&A

Shawn Hatosy on Directing ‘Animal Kingdom’ & Working With Emily Deschanel

19-24-4758
Q&A

‘Animal Kingdom’ Newbie Emily Deschanel on Her Character Angela Facing Off With Smurf

Bones

Watch TNT’s ‘Bones’ Marathon to Celebrate Emily Deschanel Joining ‘Animal Kingdom’

Animal Kingdom - Ellen Barkin as Smurf and Finn Cole as J
Q&A

‘Animal Kingdom’ Star Finn Cole Previews J’s Power Hungry Obsession in Season 4

Emily Deschanel attends the 2018 Farm Sanctuary On The Hudson Gala

‘Bones’ Alum Emily Deschanel Joins Cast of ‘Animal Kingdom’ for Season 4

Bones - Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz - 2017 Winter TCA Tour
Q&A

‘Bones’: David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel Look Back on 12 Seasons Together

Bones Season 11 Finale

‘Bones’: Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz and Producers Reflect on Their Favorite Episodes

Bones Series Finale - Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz

‘Bones’ Bids Adieu After 12 Years: ‘It Is a Meaningful, Celebratory and Conclusive Season’

Empire duo, Superbowl

Fox Throws the Best Super Bowl Party Ever—And You’re Invited

Bones - David Boreanaz as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth and Emily Deschanel as Dr. Temperance Brennan

Ready for a ‘Bones’ Revival Already? Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz Weigh In

first look

‘Bones’: The Hunt for Brennan’s Kidnapper is On in the Show’s Final Season

Zooey Deschanel directing an episode of New Girl

First Look at the Deschanel Sisters Directing the Premieres of ‘New Girl’ and ‘Bones’

Andy Samberg; Zooey Deschanel

‘New Girl’ Cops a ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ Crossover

Thirteen

Social Media: How Fans Do (and Don’t) Impact TV Storylines

Bones - Pej Vahdat and Emily Deschanel

Breaking Down the Set of ‘Bones’

Emily Deschanel in the The Last Shot at a Second Chance episode of Bones

‘Bones’: Is Brennan’s Relationship with the FBI in Jeopardy? (VIDEO)

Mary J. Blige as Evillene in The Wiz Live!

Ask Matt: ‘The Wiz Live’’s Commercial Overload, Plus: ‘Doctor Who’’s Finale, ‘Bones’’ Future and More

Bones

‘Bones’ Season Premiere: What Happened to Booth?

Bones

What’s Worth Watching:’Bones’ and ‘Sleepy Hollow’ on Fox for Thursday, October 1

Marvel's Agent Carter - Hayley Atwell - 'Valediction'

Peggy Carter’s Place in an Era of Powerful Women