Leighton Marissa Claire Meester was born on April 9, 1986 in Marco Island, Florida. She is an American actress.

She stars as Blair Waldorf in The CW's new drama "Gossip Girl," from Josh Schwartz, based on the tremendously popular book series about privileged teenagers who attend an elite private school in New York City. After making her television debut when she was 13 on "Law & Order," she got her breakout role in 2004 with a recurring role as the Britney Spears-like singer Justine Chapin on the hit series "Entourage." She continued to work steadily with guest-star roles on series like "8 Simple Rules," "Numbers" and "CSI Miami," and has had recurring roles on popular series such as "24," "Veronica Mars," "Shark" and "House."

In addition, she had regular roles on "Tarzan" and "Surface." Meester made her film debut in the feature "Hangman's Curse," based on the best-selling novel by Frank Peretti. She also recently starred in the independent film "Flourish" with future "House" co-stars Jennifer Morrison and Jesse Spencer, and in the drama "Inside." Meester's upcoming feaure films roles include the dramedy "The Beautiful Ordinary," the horror/comedy "Drive-Thru" and the thriller "Dead of Night."

Meester became interested in acting when she appeared in a local production of "The Wizard of Oz." When she was 11, she moved with her family to New York City and soon after began working as a model with Wilhemina, booking a Ralph Lauren campaign shot by Bruce Webber and working with then photographer Sophia Coppola.

When not on the set, Meester passionately pursues her talent for music and creative writing. She has recorded a song for the soundtrack of her upcoming film "Drive-Thru." She currently resides in New York.

Filmography

• Killer Movie (2007)
• "Gossip Girl" (9 episodes, 2007)
• The Haunting of Sorority Row (2007)
• The Beautiful Ordinary (2007)
• "Shark" (3 episodes, 2007)
• Drive Thru (2007)
• "CSI: Miami" (1 episode, 2007)
• "House M.D." (2 episodes, 2006)
• "Numb3rs" (1 episode, 2006)
• Inside (2006)
• Flourish (2006)
• "Surface" (12 episodes, 2005-2006)
• "Secrets of a Small Town" (1 episode, 2006)
• "Veronica Mars" (2 episodes, 2005)
• "8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter" (1 episode, 2005)
• "24" (4 episodes, 2005)
• "Entourage" (2 episodes, 2004)
• "North Shore" (1 episode, 2004)
• "7th Heaven" (2 episodes, 2004)
• "Crossing Jordan" (1 episode, 2004)
• Hollywood Division (2004)
• "Tarzan" (5 episodes, 2003)
• Hangman's Curse (2003)
• The Jackalope (2003)
• "Family Affair" (1 episode, 2002)
• "Boston Public" (1 episode, 2001)
• "Law & Order" (1 episode, 1999)