Biography
Born on March 3, 1982 in Ely, Minnesota, Jessica Claire Biel grew up in Boulder, Colorado after her family relocated to the rocky state. The daughter of Kimberly and Jonathan Edward Biel, she also has a younger brother named Justin. She went to Fairview high School in Boulder where she was a good student. Jessica was initially trained to become a vocalist. She wanted to be in musical theatre and was able to perform in several musicals at an early age. She started doing plays at the age of nine with roles in regional theatre productions of “The Sound of Music”, “Annie”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “Anything Goes”.
While competing at the International Modeling and Talent Association’s Los Angeles Convention in 1994, Jessica was discovered and awarded a scholarship to the Diane Hardin’s Young Actors Space, which is an acting society based in Los Angeles. She also modeled during this time, making the covers of Sassy Magazine, Teen and Moxie Girl.
Her onscreen break came when she was fourteen years old. She landed the role of Mary Camden, the oldest daughter of a minister couple in WB’s “7th Heaven”, a hugely successful family drama. This TV series from Aaron Spelling and Brenda Hampton became the most popular on the fledgling network. During this period, she also proved to movie fans that she could steal the spotlight on the big screen. She starred with Peter Fonda in 1997’s “Ulee’s Gold”. The film was critically-acclaimed and Peter went on to win a Golden Globe for his performance in the movie. Jessica also created a stir among film critics as her acting was met with very good reviews. Her role as the rebellious teenager Casey made critics take notice of the young actress.
Jessica attracted controversy when she posed semi-nude for the magazine Gear. She was only seventeen at that time and it was an attempt to break free from her wholesome television image and contract with Aaron Spelling. The photos and the accompanying article shocked some people that identified Jessica with her onscreen role Mary Camden. The effort was futile as Aaron did not let go of her. Jessica regretted that error in her judgement. “That was such a big mistake. I made a horrible, horrible choice. Those were not the people to work with and not the right thing for myself,” the actress recalls. Apparently, she was trying to prove to Spelling that he did not own her and that she could do whatever projects she wanted. She also thought that her role in the family drama was making her miss out on parts in some good Hollywood movies. Despite losing to Mena Suvari for a role in “American Beauty”, she continued playing Mary Camden. She still had great roles ahead of her.
From 2000 to 2002, she attended Tufts University in Massachusetts but did not complete her course as she opted to focus more on her acting career. She dated actor Chris Evans and appeared with him in “London” and “Cellular”. It was in this period that she started acting more seriously and getting other significant movie roles. She appeared in “The Rules of Attraction”, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Blade: Trinity”. In 2005, Esquire magazine named her the Sexiest Woman Alive, and with that honor, she appeared in “Stealth” alongside Jamie Foxx.
While Jessica’s career was on the rise, her personal life was rocky as she ended her five-year relationship with Chris Evans. She was later linked to sports superstar Derek Jeter. She is currently dating Justin Timberlake, and the couple is enjoying a not-so-publicized relationship. They admit that they are together but other than that, refused to give further comments about their relationship.
More movies followed as Jessica’s star continued to shine. The following movies: “The Illusionist”, “Home of the Brave”, “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” and “Next” were added to her resume. It was rumoured that she would play the role of Wonder Woman in the upcoming Justice League film, but according to some reports, turned the part down.
Jessica loves playing soccer and is good in her usual position of midfielder. Other hobbies she enjoys are ballet, yoga and running. The actress is a supporter of organizations like PETA, GLAAD and Rebuilding Together. She also has a charitable side when she auctioned herself to raise money for the medical expenses of Molly Bloom, a teenager from Colorado, who was injured in an automobile accident. John Schiffner, the winner, paid $30,000 for a lunch date with Jessica.
