Danneel Harris

Danneel Harris (born Elta Danneel Graul; March 18, 1979) is an American actress, model, and gymnast. She is best known for her roles as Shannon McBain on One Life to Live (2003-04) and as Rachel Gatina on One Tree Hill (2005–2009).

Early life

Harris was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and was raised in the small town of Eunice in St. Landry Parish. She was named after her great-grandmother. Her first name is Elta, but she goes by her middle name, Danneel, professionally. The name "Danneel" was inspired by Danneel Street in New Orleans. Her cousin is actress Mary Lou. She moved to Los Angeles and continued her acting training with John Homa, Calmeson and Calmeson, and Craig Wargo.

Modeling and television career

Before she landed her first acting role, Harris worked as a model with such companies as Big Sexy Hair and Juicy Jeans. She first appeared in a television commercial. The independent film The Plight of Clownana marks her first major acting role. Her other credits include The WB'sWhat I Like About You, guest appearance on Mad TV, and a supporting role in the yet-to-be released indie Rule Number One starring Ed Harris.

Harris is skilled in gymnastics and her musical talents include playing the piano and singing. She relocated to New York in 2004 for her role on One Life to Live.

In 2005, Harris successfully auditioned for the role of Rachel Gatina on The CW's Teen Drama One Tree Hill. She went on to become an integral part of the series and was upgraded to a series regular in the fourth season. However in season five, Danneel only reprised the role of Rachel in two episodes due to the seasons format change. Harris announced at The CW Upfront she had been contacted about returning in the series seventh season. Danneel announced she had signed on to for seven episodes in the series seventh season. Danneel went on to appear in another five episodes. It has been reported One Tree Hill is interested in having Danneel reprise the role of Rachel in the series eighth and possible last season. This may be a problem because of Danneel's schedule with Friends with Benefits. Harris appeared alongside Co-Stars Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton in the November 2006 Edition of Maxim. One Tree Hill is perhaps Danneel's best known role to date.

Harris appeared in the episode Shelter Island as Nora Zinman in CBS's How I Met Your Mother. The episode premiered on October 20, 2008 and Harris replaced Sara Paxton who dropped out.

Harris will appear as a series regular on the upcoming sitcom Friends with Benefits, which will air on NBC as a midseason replacement during the 2010–11 television season.

Film career

Harris has appeared in independent short films such as The Plight of Clownana and Rule Number One. She has also had small roles in films such as Straight to DVD films Extreme Movie and Still Waiting....

In 2007, she starred alongside One Tree Hill star Elisabeth Harnois in Ten Inch Hero which followed the relationships of a group of staff working at a sandwich shop. The film premiered in the festival circuit during 2007 and was released straight-to-DVD exclusively withBlockbuster. The film was well received by critics.

She made her theatrical debut as Vanessa Fanning in the sequel to 2004's Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle 2008's Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. The film was released to mixed to positive reviews and had success at the box office earning $67,366,013 worldwide. Danneel has been confirmed to reprise her role of Vanessa A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas in 2011.

In 2009, she appeared in the Screen Gems Teen Comedy film Fired Up starring alongside Sarah Roemer and Molly Sims. The film which was released February 20, 2009 was released to negative reviews and had little success at the box office earning a worldwide total of $18,001,045.

In 2008, Danneel signed up for another Screen Gems film Mardi Gras alongside Carmen Electra and Arielle Kebbel. The film has been pushed back numerous times. As of May 27, 2009, the film was announced in post-production. The film received confirmed for a February 19, 2010 debut but was pushed back yet again. Its release date is currently unknown.

She appeared as Olivia in CBS Films The Back-Up Plan. The film was released April 23, 2010, and starred Jennifer Lopez. Despite negative reviews, the film debuted at #2 at the weekend box office with an estimated gross of $12,250,000.

In May 2009, it was announced she has signed on for the role of Irene in Screen Gems The Roommate. Starring alongside Minka Kelly andLeighton Meester filming took place in 2009. The film originally was schedule for an October 2010 release but was pushed forward to September 17, 2010. However, it was later announced Screen Gems was pushing it back once again to February 4, 2011.

Personal life

After dating for three years, Harris became engaged to actor Jensen Ackles (mostly known for his role as Dean Winchester in the hit TV series Supernatural). The two starred together in Ten Inch Hero. They married in Dallas, Texas on May 15, 2010.

Film and television credits

List of film and television credits

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2003– 2004	One Life to Live	Shannon McBain	68 episodes
2004	The Plight of Clownanan	DildoMan's Fan
2004	What I Like About You	Kate	4 episodes
2004– 2005	Joey	Katie	3 episodes
2005	JAG	Cameron 'Cammie' Cresswell	Episodes: "Death at the Mosque", "Straits of Malacca"
2005	Rule Number One'	April
2005– 2009	One Tree Hill	Rachel Gatina	52 episodes
2007	Ten Inch Hero	Tish	Straight to DVD
2007	CSI: Crime Scene Investigation	Shasta McCloud	Episode: "A La Cart"
2008	Extreme Movie	Melissa	Straight to DVD
2008	Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay	Vanessa Fanning
2008	Free Radio	Herself	1 episode
2008	How I Met Your Mother	Nora Zinman	Episode: "Shelter Island"
2009	Still Waiting...	Sherry	Straight to DVD
2009	Fired Up	Bianca
2009	CSI: Miami	Abby Dawson	Episode: "Sink or Swim"
2009	Trust Me	Jessica	Episode: "All Hell the Victors"
2009	NCIS	Jessica Shore	Episode: "Love & War"
2010	Mardi Gras	TBA	Post-production
2010	The Back-up Plan	Olivia
2010	Friends with Benefits	Sara Maxwell	Main cast
2011	The Roommate	Irene Crew	Post-production
2011	A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas	Vanessa Fanning	Filming

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