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Danneel Harris
Danneel Harris, December 2007
Born	Elta Danneel Graul March 18, 1979 (1979-03-18) (age 30) Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S.
Occupation	Actress,
Years active	2003–present

Danneel Harris (born Elta Danneel Graul on March 18, 1979) is an American Actress, Model and Gymnast best known for her roles as Rachel Gatina on The CW's One Tree Hill and her film portrayals in Fired Up and Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.

Biography

Early life

Harris was born Elta Danneel Graul in Lafayette, Louisiana, and was reared in the small town of Eunice in St. Landry Parish. She was named after her great-grandmother. Her first name is Elta but she always goes by her middle name. 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's What 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 got a recurring role on the hit TV show One Tree Hill, playing Rachel Gatina, a thorn in many of the character's sides. She went on to become an integral part of the show, featuring in the main credits of the fourth season. However in season five she was only in two episodes due to its format change. Harris revealed to The CW Upfront that she has been contacted about returning to One Tree Hill in season seven. Harris appeared on the cover of the November 2006 edition of Maxim with One Tree Hill costars Hilarie Burton and Sophia Bush. Reports have been confirmed with Harris returning for the series upcoming seventh season as Rachel Gatina in a seven episode arc beginning from the second episode of the seventh season.

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.

Film career

Danneel 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 alongside One Tree Hill star Elizabeth 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 with Blockbuster. 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 as Vanessa Fanning. The film was released to mixed to positive reviews and had moderate success at the box office earning $43,493,123 worldwide. She is rumored to reprise her role of Vanessa Fleming in the sequel A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas set for release in November 2010.

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 numerously. As of the 27 May 2009 the film was announced in Post-Production. The film has been confirmed for a 19 February 2010.

In May 2009 it was announced she has signed on for the role of Irene in Screen Gems The Roommate. Starring alongside Minka Kelly and Leighton Meester filming took place in 2009. The film originally with an October 2010 release was pushed forward with an official release date of September 17 2009.

She also signed on as Olivia in CBS Films The Back-Up Plan. The film which is set for release April 16 2010 stars Jennifer Lopez.

Personal Life

In November 2009, Danneel got engaged to her Ten Inch Hero co star and boyfriend of three years, Jensen Ackles. She was in a previous relationship with Riley Smith for four years. ¹

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links

• Danneel Harris at the Internet Movie Database
• Danneel Harris at TV.com