Leighton Meester Biography American actress Leighton Meester has made a name for herself for work on several television series such as Entourage, 24, and Surface. She became a star, however, in 2007 when she became a recurring cast member on the hit series Gossip Girl. Leighton Marissa Claire Meester, known popularly as Leighton Meester, was born April 9, 1986 in Marco Island, Florida. She obtained her education from Beverly Hills High School. Always with her eye on acting, Meester’s first encounter with the craft came as a child when she won a role in a local stage adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Her family later moved to New York City when she was eleven years old, and Meester found herself in the heart of the acting world. Channeling her talents into modeling first, Meester became a member of Wilhemina modeling agency. One particular highlight of her modeling career was a spread for Ralph Lauren wherein she was photographed by future filmmaker Sofia Coppola. Meester made her onscreen debut in 1999 with a one-episode appearance on Law & Order opposite Jerry Orbach and Benjamin Bratt. And she continued bouncing around television for several years after that. During this time, she showed up on series such as Boston Public and Family Affair. She even landed a recurring role in the 2003 live action version of Tarzan. Despite a strong cast, which included Lucy Lawless, the series only made it for eight episodes before getting axed by the network.
Also in 2003, Meester showed up in her first film. Entitled The Jackalope, Meester appeared with fellow up and comers David Alan Graf, Cory Lewis Pearman, and Robert Seay. She followed with a more substantial role in the horror film Hangman’s Curse. And the following year, she teamed up with Moon Bloodgood for the crime drama Hollywood Division. Back to the small screen, Meester had notable turns in 7th Heaven with Ashlee Simpson and Entourage opposite Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, and Kevin Dillon. In 2005, she gained exposure with a four-episode appearance on 24 as Debbie Pendleton. She appeared with Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and Aisha Tyler. After years in the business, Meester finally gained some notably exposure with a lead role in the new sci-fi series Surface. Meester played Savannah Bennett along with Lake Bell, Jay R Ferguson, and Carter Jenkins. Leighton stayed on until the show’s conclusion in 2006. But her biggest break by far came in 2007 when she landed the role of Blair Waldorf on the newest teen romantic drama Gossip Girl. She is currently with the show along with fellow cast members Blake Lively, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, and Taylor Momsen.
Filming around her Gossip Girl schedule, Meester also took a part in the 2008 horror comedy Killer Movie with Paul Wesley and Kaley Cuoco. In her personal life, Meester has been romantically linked to her Gossip Girl costar Badgley. A resident of New York, Meester is also interested in creative writing and music. | 
