Biography for
Shannyn Sossamon

advertisement

Date of Birth

3 October 1978, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Birth Name

Shannon Marie Kahoolani Sossamon

Nickname

Hot Soss

Height

5' 8" (1.73 m)

Mini Biography

Hollywood has mirrored the Camelot in which Shannyn Sossamon found herself in her breakthrough role as the leading lady in A Knight's Tale (2001). Shannyn, who credits her striking looks to an eclectic mix of French, Hawaiian, Dutch, Irish, Filipino and German was born Shannon Marie Kahoolani Sossamon in Honolulu, Hawaii. At the age of one, Shannyn and her family moved to a new exotic locale: Reno, Nevada. At 17, promptly after high school graduation, she left her small town life for a career in dance in Los Angeles. While attending Dance Unlimited, Shannyn began her alternate career as a D.J. in local clubs. Acting was not high on the young dancer's priority list, aside from a series of commercials, not for lack of interest but for the fact that she was content with her life in L.A. as it was. It was in 1999, when Shannyn was helping a friend D.J. at a birthday party for Gwyneth Paltrow that a new chapter began in her fairy tale life. Francine Maisler, a casting director known for such films as The Usual Suspects (1995), spotted Shannyn. Shortly thereafter Shannyn found herself with the backing of an influential Hollywood name and a slew of auditions. Many offers had no appeal to the established D.J. until A Knight's Tale (2001) came along; she determined she wanted the lead role and after six call backs, beat out the competition. Admittedly, the dancer turned actress knew little of her Australian costar Heath Ledger but the two became friends during filming. Shannyn continues to D.J. every Tuesday night at a local club in L.A., but the rest of her time is filled with filming and travel.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Kimberly Hannigan

Mini Biography

Hawaiian born but raised in Reno, Nevada, Shannyn Sossamon left her hometown the day after graduating high school for Los Angeles to pursue dance. Shortly thereafter, and while filling in as a DJ for a friend at party, she was spotted by casting director Francine Maisler - who introduced her to Brian Helgeland and for his film A Knight's Tale (2001). Determined for the lead role and a handful of auditions later, Sossamon was decidedly set as portraying the beautiful 'Lady Jocelyn' and starring next to Heath Ledger.

Most recently, she completed filming the independent film Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006)about three persons journey in an afterlife for suicide victims - 'Mikal' (Sossamon), a beautiful hitchhiker, who is searching for the people in charge, as she only "accidentally" overdosed, meets 'Zia' (Patrick Fugit) and together they explore this strange afterlife. also co-stars Tom Waits.

In 2002 she starred in 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002) opposite Josh Hartnett, and The Rules of Attraction (2002) for director Roger Avary. In 2003 Sossamon reunited with Ledger in The Order (2003) for director Brian Helgeland. Other credits include Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), Chasing Ghosts (2005) and Undiscovered (2005) among others.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Jeff Raymond

Trivia

Born in Hawaii but grew up in Nevada.

Was with her friend, who deejayed for Gwyneth Paltrow and Jake Paltrow's joint birthday party in Hollywood, when discovered by Brian Helgeland, director of A Knight's Tale (2001). Was in three commercials before being in the movies.

5/29/03: Gave birth to her first son, Audio Science Clayton.

2002: Ranked #55 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women In The World".

An accomplished DJ, will often be spinning several nights a week in LA when not working on a movie. She joins several other famous actors as celebrity guest DJs including Elijah Wood who spins occasionally in New York.

2002: Was featured as #33 in Maxim Magazine's "Hot 100 of 2002" supplement.

Beat out Kate Hudson for the role of Lady Jocelyn in A Knight's Tale (2001).

Is of French, Hawaiian, Dutch, English, Irish, Filipino and German descent; her maternal grandmother is Hawaiian-Filipino, and her maternal grandfather is English-German.

1995: As an adolescent, she added the "y" in her first name.

Ethnicity: Chinese, Hawaiian and half English making her Eurasian like fellow actresses Kelly Hu, Vanessa Anne Hudgens', Jessica Anderson, Devon Aoki, Moon Bloodgood, China Chow, Traycee King, Kristin Kreuk, Jaymee Ong, Maggie Q, Nicole Scherzinger, Monica Young and actors Anthony Begonia, Andrew Johnston, Brandon Lee, Keanu Reeves, Rob Schneider, Russell Wong and Michael Wong.

Is in a band called "WarPaint" with her sister and two friends.

Browse biographies section by name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z