Deschanel, Zooey (1980- )

US actor. Following her supporting role in Cameron Crowe's coming-of-age rock film Almost Famous (2000), she appeared in a string of indie films including The Good Girl (2002), All the Real Girls (2003), and Eulogy (2004). Her role opposite Will Ferrell in the acclaimed family comedy and surprise smash hit Elf (2003) cemented her career in mainstream comedy cinema, and she followed with a starring role in the science-fiction adventure adaptation The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005).

Other films include the comedies Big Trouble (2002) and The New Guy (2002). She made her film debut in the comedy Mumford (1999).

She was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in an entertainment family; her father, Caleb Deschanel (1944- ) was a successful cinematographer, and her mother, Mary Jo Deschanel (1940- ), an actor, and she spent much of her childhood on location with them. After appearing in several theatre productions she made her professional television debut on an episode of the Kirstie Alley sitcom Veronica's Closet (1998).