Shannon Marie Sossamon was born on October 3, 1978 in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is an American actress, musician and dancer.

A casting director noticed her when she was helping a friend DJ at a birthday party for Gwyneth Paltrow in October 1999. Six months after being "discovered", Shannyn was cast as the fair maiden Jocelyn opposite Heath Ledger in A Knight's Tale. She likes to perform what she describes as "jazz, crazy modern, and hip-hop" dancing, but wishes she had stuck with tap and ballet from when she was younger. She continues to DJ classic rock and '80s tunes.

She's Hawaiian, French, Dutch, Filipino, Irish and German. She used to get a hundred bucks by DJ-ing in little lounges every Tuesday night. Her sister, Jennifer Lindberg is trying to follow her steps.

She danced all throughout high school, competing for three years. She loved many forms of dance including jazz, ballet, lyrical and tap. Shannyn attended Dance Unlimited and trained under Gina Hernandez.

Sossamon appeared in television commercials and had DJ gigs in local clubs. In 1999, Sossamon was discovered by casting director Francine Maisler, while assisting a friend DJ at Gwyneth Paltrow's birthday party.

Filmography

• Life Is Hot in Cracktown (2008)
• The Heavy (2008)
• One Missed Call (2008)
• "Moonlight" (10 episodes, 2007)
• "Dirt" (5 episodes, 2007)
• Catacombs (2007)
• The Holiday (2006)
• Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006)
• Undiscovered (2005)
• The Double (2005)
• Devour (2005)
• Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
• Chasing Ghosts (2005)
• I Hate You (2005)
• "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1 episode, 2004)
• The Order (2003)
• Wholey Moses (2003)
• The Rules of Attraction (2002)
• 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002)
• A Knight's Tale (2001)
• "Mr. Show with Bob and David" (3 episodes, 1997)