Elizabeth Jean Philipps (born June 25, 1979), known professionally as
Busy Phillips, is an American film actress, perhaps best known for her supporting roles on the television series
Freaks and Geeks and
Dawson's Creek. She has also performed significant roles in films like
The Smokers (2000), as Karen Carter, the
drama film Home Room (2002) as Alicia Browning, she appeared in
White Chicks (2004), played a suporting role in
Made of Honor (2008) and appeared in
He's Just Not That Into You (2009), starring
Jennifer Aniston,
Scarlett Johansson and
Drew Barrymore. Currently plays Laurie Keller in the television series
Cougar Town.
Early Life
Philipps was born in
Oak Park, Illinois. Her parents gave her the nickname Busy because, as an infant, she was always moving, and the nickname stuck; it even appears on her driver's license. She attended
Chaparral High School in
Scottsdale, Arizona. She attended
Loyola Marymount University at the same time as former boyfriend,
Colin Hanks and
Linda Cardellini.
Career
Philipps worked the toy-fair circuit as a real-life Barbie before making her show-business debut. Her first major role was as the part of
Kim Kelly in
Freaks and Geeks, in which she appeared in 17 of 18 episodes, the exception was the episode titled "Chokin' & Tokin'". She later made her film debut in comedy
The Smokers in 2000, as well as various other cameos on television.
In 2001, Philipps was cast as
Audrey Liddell in the teen drama
Dawson's Creek. She was a series regular in seasons 5 and 6, appearing in 46 episodes, before the show finished in 2003. Her role of Audrey earned Philipps a
Teen Choice Awards nomination in the category of "TV - Choice Sidekick".
[www.imdb.com/name/nm0005311/awards] She was later ranked #58 on the
Maxim Hot 100 Women of 2001.
Philipps later appeared in two films,
Home Room (2002) and
White Chicks (2004). She was cast in the
UPN sitcom Love, Inc., in a role originally intended for
Shannen Doherty. The show lasted for one season (2005-2006) before being cancelled. In 2006, she had a major recurring role as Hope Bobeck on
ER. During her second year on ER, her character headed to South America to "fulfill her Christian mission".
Philipps had a co-credit for the storyline of the 2007 comedy film
Blades of Glory.
[www.bladesofglorymovie.com/home.html] A year later, Philipps returned to being in front of the camera with her supporting role in
Made Of Honor.
While pregnant with her first child, Philipps taped scenes for
The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
[www.imdb.com/name/nm0005311/news#ni0551089] Philipps also made a brief appearance in
He's Just Not That Into You as the character of Kelli Ann. Currently, Philipps plays Laurie Keller in the television series
Cougar Town.
Personal life
Philipps married Marc Silverstein in 2007. She is an avid
Tori Amos fan. Philipps is the godmother of actor
Heath Ledger and actress
Michelle Williams' daughter Matilda Rose Ledger; actor
Jake Gyllenhaal is the godfather. Busy Philipps and her screenwriter husband, Marc Silverstein, welcomed a baby girl, Birdie Leigh Silverstein, on Wednesday, August 13, 2008.
Actress
Lizzy Caplan is the godmother of Birdie.
Filmography
