Alexis Bledel

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Alexis Bledel
AlexisBledelSept11TIFF.jpg
Bledel at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival
Born Kimberly Alexis Bledel
(1981-09-16) September 16, 1981 (age 31)
Houston, Texas, USA
Occupation Actress, model, producer
Years active 1996–present
Height 5' 7" (1.70 m)

Kimberly Alexis Bledel (born September 16, 1981) is an American actress, model, and producer. She is known for her roles as Rory Gilmore in the television series Gilmore Girls, Ryden Malby in the 2009 Romantic-Comedy film Post Grad, and Lena Kaligaris in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. She is also identifiable for her roles in the films Tuck Everlasting and Sin City. Popular among teenagers and young adults, she has posed on the cover of numerous mainstream magazines, including WWD, People, Teen People, Teen Vogue, Teen, TV Guide, Seventeen, Elle Girl, Nylon, Vanity Fair, Latina and Entertainment Weekly.

Contents

Early life

Bledel was born Kimberly Alexis Bledel in Houston, Texas, the daughter of Nanette (née Dozier), who worked as a gift processor and flight attendant, and Martin Bledel.[1][2] She has a younger brother, Eric.[3] Her father was born and raised in Argentina.[4][5] Her paternal grandfather, Enrique Einar Bledel Huus, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to parents who were of Danish descent; Enrique was Vice President of Coca-Cola Latin America and the Coca-Cola Inter-American Corporation. Alexis Bledel's paternal grandmother, Jean (Campbell), was originally from New York.[6][7][8] Alexis' mother, Nanette, was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and had moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, at the age of eight; Nanette was raised there, and in Mexico City.[9][10] Of her parents' upbringing in Latin America, Bledel has stated "It's the only culture my mom knows from life, and my father as well, and they made the decision to raise their children within the context they had been raised in".[2][9] Bledel grew up in a Spanish-speaking household, and did not learn English until she began school; she considers herself Latina.[2][11]

Bledel attended Catholic St. Agnes Academy in Houston, as well as Baptist and Lutheran schools.[12] Her mother encouraged her to try community theater to overcome her shyness.[13] As a child, Bledel appeared in local productions of Our Town and The Wizard of Oz.[citation needed] She was scouted at a local shopping mall and given work as a fashion model. She went to Page Parkes Center for Modeling and Acting and attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts for one year.[14]

Career

Bledel made her television debut co-starring in The WB series Gilmore Girls in 2000 to 2007. She portrayed Rory Gilmore, the daughter of single mother Lorelai Gilmore. Initially, Rory was a high school student at an exclusive private academy, living with her mother in a small town in Connecticut, but later moved on to college at Yale University, where she, among other things, worked as the editor of the Yale Daily News. Bledel made her film debut in Tuck Everlasting, released in 2002, though she had worked as an extra in the 1998 film Rushmore.[15] In 2005, she starred in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants based on the book by Ann Brashares. She played Lena Kaligaris, an artist on a journey with three friends, linked over the summer by a pair of "magical" jeans.

In 2005, Bledel portrayed Becky, a prostitute, in the movie Sin City. "She's a very professional prostitute. She carries a gun and she kicks ass," said Bledel of Becky.[16] In 2006, Bledel co-starred in I'm Reed Fish, in the role of Reed Fish's fiance. After the end of Gilmore Girls, she reprised her role of Lena Kaligaris in the sequel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, released in August 2008. Bledel next appeared in Post Grad, which opened on August 21, 2009, alongside Jane Lynch, Michael Keaton, and Carol Burnett.

Bledel in June 2008

Bledel appeared opposite Scott Porter and Bryan Greenberg in the film The Good Guy, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival April 26, 2009. Tommy (Porter) is a Wall Street investment broker whose life falls apart when he helps out a new broker, Daniel (Greenberg). Bledel played Beth, Tommy's girlfriend. She was also a guest star on the two-hour series finale of ER, playing new intern Dr. Julia Wise.[17]

In May 2009 Bledel signed a contract with the modeling division of IMG.[14]

Bledel appeared in the historical drama The Conspirator directed by Robert Redford. She plays the girlfriend of Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy), the lawyer who defended Mary Surratt, the first woman to be hanged in the United States, played by Robin Wright. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released in the United States on 15 April 2011.[18]

Also in 2010, Bledel completed work as the lead actress in the independent Canadian film The Kate Logan Affair. The film was presented at Montreal's Festival du Nouveau Cinéma 2010.[19][20]

Bledel performed in a theatre production by the Manhattan Theatre Club called Regrets, staged at the New York City Center.[21]

It was confirmed in early-March 2013 that she will play Stacey opposite Jason Ritter's Gavin in FOX's upcoming pilot Friends & Family, an adaptation of the British comedy Gavin & Stacey.[22]

She appeared in "She's Gonna Break Soon" music video by Less Than Jake.

Personal life

Bledel dated her Gilmore Girls co-star Milo Ventimiglia from December 2002 to July 2006.[23] Bledel and her Mad Men co-star Vincent Kartheiser have been in a relationship since mid-2012.[24] Bledel and Kartheiser announced their engagement in March 2013.[25]

In 2012, Bledel supported the re-election of Barack Obama and urged her fans to vote.[26][27]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1998 Rushmore Student (uncredited)
2002 Tuck Everlasting Winnie Jackson Foster
2004 ¿Cuanto cuesta la admisión? Monique Short film
2004 DysEnchanted Goldilocks Short film
2004 Bride and Prejudice Georgina "Georgie" Darcy
2005 Sin City Becky
2005 Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, TheThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Lena Kaligaris
2006 I'm Reed Fish Kate
2006 Zoom Ace (uncredited)
2006 Life Is Short Charlotte Short film
Also producer
2008 Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, TheThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 Lena Kaligaris
2009 Good Guy, TheThe Good Guy Beth Vest
2009 Post Grad Ryden Malby
2009 Ballad of G.I. Joe, TheThe Ballad of G.I. Joe Lady Jaye Video short
2010 Conspirator, TheThe Conspirator Sarah Weston Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival
2010 Kate Logan Affair, TheThe Kate Logan Affair Kate Logan Premiered at the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma
2010 Girl Walks into a Bar[28] Kim Premiered on Youtube March 11, 2011[29]
2011 Violet & Daisy[30] Violet
2012 Brass Teapot, TheThe Brass Teapot Payton
2013 Remember Sunday Molly Branford Hallmark Hall of Fame telefilm
2014 Parts per Billion Sarah Post-production
2014 Letters, TheThe Letters Janet Treadway Pre-production
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2000–2007 Gilmore Girls Rory Gilmore Lead Role
2009 ER Dr. Julia Wise Episode: "And in the End..."
2012 Mad Men Beth Dawes Episodes: "Lady Lazarus", "Dark Shadows", "The Phantom"
2013 Friends & Family Stacey Lead Role
Theatre
Year Title Role Notes
2011 Love, Loss, and What I Wore January 12 - February 13, 2011
2012 Regrets Chrissie Myers March 27 - April 29, 2012

Awards and other recognitions

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2001 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Leading Young Actress Gilmore Girls Won
2001 Teen Choice Awards TV - Choice Actress Gilmore Girls Nominated
2002 Teen Choice Awards TV - Choice Drama Actress Gilmore Girls Nominated
2002 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Supporting Young Actress Gilmore Girls Nominated
2002 Family Television Awards Best Actress Gilmore Girls Won
2003 Saturn Award Best Performance by a Younger Actor Tuck Everlasting Nominated
2003 Satellite Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical Gilmore Girls Nominated
2004 Teen Choice Awards TV - Choice Comedy Actress Gilmore Girls Nominated
2005 Teen Choice Awards TV - Choice Comedy Actress Gilmore Girls Won
2005 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Chemistry Gilmore Girls Nominated
2005 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Love Scene The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Nominated
2005 Teen Choice Awards Movie - Choice Drama Actress The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Nominated
2006 Teen Choice Awards TV - Choice Comedy Actress Gilmore Girls Won
2006 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Chemistry Gilmore Girls Nominated
2006 ALMA Awards Outstanding Actress in a Television Series Gilmore Girls Nominated
2006 Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards Best Acting Ensemble Sin City Nominated

Other recognitions

  • In 2002 Bledel was voted one of Teen People's "25 Hottest Stars Under 25".
  • She was ranked #87 on the Maxim Hot 100 Women of 2005.[31]
  • In 2010 Bledel was named one of Us Magazine's "25 Most Stylish New Yorkers".[32]

References

  1. ^ Tucker, Cody (November 18, 2010). "Alexis Bledel to co-star in new film". Ultimate Bellaire. Retrieved March 22, 2013. 
  2. ^ a b c "Latina - Google Books". Latina (Latina Publications) 8 (6-11). 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2013. "A native of Phoenix, Nanette moved with her family at age 8 to Guadalajara (and later to Mexico City), where she developed "a Mexican soul," she says... It's a legacy Alexis feels strongly connected to — and proud of. "In general I think Latinos know how to live and eat and sleep and spend time with their families," she says." 
  3. ^ "Alexis Bledel Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved March 22, 2013. 
  4. ^ Brady, James (August 3, 2008). "In Step With Alexis Bledel". Parade Magazine. Archived from the original on March 07 2009. Retrieved February 2, 2009. 
  5. ^ Presenter: David Letterman (May 25, 2007). "Alexis Bledel on David Letterman (05-27-07)". Late Show with David Letterman. CBS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6djJbjcvsrg.[dead link]
  6. ^ "OBITUARIES: ATLANTA: Bledel, ex-counsel for Coca-Cola". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. June 3, 2003. p. B4. Retrieved March 22, 2013. 
  7. ^ Annual Report of the Director - Google Books. Annual Report of the Director 28. New York: Institute of International Education. 1947. Retrieved March 22, 2013. 
  8. ^ Blædel, Finn H. (1954). Slægten Blædel (in Danish). p. 60. Retrieved March 22, 2013. 
  9. ^ a b "Latina - 006 - AlexisFan.net - Photo Gallery". AlexisFan.net. Retrieved March 22, 2013. 
  10. ^ "Gilmore Girls' Bledel graduates to film". CNN. October 28, 2002. Retrieved May 2, 2009. 
  11. ^ "A Chat With Alexis Bledel". DVDTown.com. February 19, 2003. [dead link]
  12. ^ Nome, Valerie (2009-08-22). "Red Carpet Confidential: Alexis Bledel Grows Up". OK!. Retrieved 2011-01-08. 
  13. ^ Lamb, Christopher (October 4, 2000). "Interviewing Alexis Bledel". TeenTelevision.com. Retrieved October 4, 2000. 
  14. ^ a b "Alexis Bledel Is An IMG Model". Lime Life. May 21, 2009. 
  15. ^ Heitmueller, Karl (December 14, 2004). "Rewind: Director Wes Anderson Gets Deep Again With 'Aquatic'". MTV. Retrieved March 22, 2013. 
  16. ^ Ausiello, Michael (April 26, 2005). "Girl Talk with Alexis Bledel". TVGuide.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013. 
  17. ^ "Alexis Bledel on ER Finale". Crushable. March 1, 2009. 
  18. ^ Grabert, Jessica (2011-06-01). "The Conspirator Comes To Blu-Ray And DVD With A Slew Of Historical Extras". Cinema Blend. Retrieved 2013-03-22. 
  19. ^ "Programming 2010 Édition". nouveaucinema.ca. Retrieved March 22, 2013. 
  20. ^ Anh Khoi Do (September 29, 2010). "Line-Up of Canadian Films at the Festival du nouveau cinéma". The Cultural Post. Retrieved March 22, 2013. 
  21. ^ "Alexis Bledel Joins Cast of Manhattan Theatre Club’s Regrets". broadway.com. February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012. 
  22. ^ Ausiello, Michael (March 2, 2013). "Gilmore Gah! Jason Ritter Trades Lauren Graham for Alexis Bledel in Fox's Friends & Family Pilot". TVLine. Retrieved March 22, 2013. 
  23. ^ "Gilmore Girls' Alexis Bledel, Boyfriend Split". People.com. Retrieved July 6, 2006. 
  24. ^ Gay, Verne (2012-06-20). "Report: Alexis Bledel, Vincent Kartheiser an item". Newsday.com. Retrieved 2012-06-24. 
  25. ^ Ravitz, Justin (2013-03-20). "Alexis Bledel, Vincent Kartheiser Engaged! Mad Men Costars to Marry". Us Weekly. Retrieved 2013-03-21. 
  26. ^ "Alexis Bledel Covers 2012 Election, Endorses Barack Obama On Twitter". The Huffington Post. November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2012. 
  27. ^ Bart, Kathleen. "Alexis Bledel: Why I Vote". Take Part. Retrieved November 9, 2012. 
  28. ^ "Alexis Bledel Completes "Girl Walks Into a Bar"". Gilmore News (Arieanna). September 25, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-15. 
  29. ^ "Shangri-La Entertainment Announces Sebastian Gutierrez Feature Film 'Girl Walks Into a Bar' to Premiere March 11 Exclusively on YouTube". PR Newswire (Jason Magner). February 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-04. 
  30. ^ McNary, Dave (September 22, 2010). "Indie lures Bledel in for kill". Variety. 
  31. ^ "MAXIM Magazine Unveils Their 'Hot 100' for 2005". Movie Insider. Retrieved May 23, 2009. 
  32. ^ "25 Most Stylish New Yorkers". US Magazine. 

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