Guest Cast

  • Kaylee DeFer

    Kaylee DeFer Headshot

    Kaylee Defer is an Arizona native. She left the Southwest in 2003 for Tinseltown to pursue a career in acting. She’s since appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including Red State, How I Met Your Mother, and Bones.

  • Chris Riggi

    Chris Riggi

    Chris Riggi is no stranger to the arts—in fact, it's in his blood. His mother and grandmother taught dance in New York, and his grandfather is a painter. Chris studied at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City, and his acting credits include guest spots on Guiding Light, Lipstick Jungle, and a Kleenex commercial. His Gossip Girl character, Scott Rosson (Rufus...

  • Francie Swift

    Francie Swift

    Swift was born in Amarillo, Texas and attended Tascosa High School. She appeared prominently in the A&E TV original series A Nero Wolfe Mystery, playing four different incarnations in four different episodes of the series. After that, Swift made a guest appearance in the TV Series Law & Order, where she played three different roles in a single episode (now that's some acting range!). In...

  • Gina Torres

    Gina Torres

    Gina was born in New York City to a close-knit Cuban American family. A graduate of a specialized music and performing arts high school in New York City, she is a gifted mezzo soprano, trained in both opera and jazz. Known primarily for science fiction and fantasy roles, Gina is branching out into new territory for her role as Vanessa's mother on Gossip Girl (unless the show takes a bizarre...

  • Hilary Duff

    Hilary on set in a black and gold dress

    Former tween star Hilary Duff is new to Gossip Girl, joining the cast in Season 3. Often spotted in the celebrity rags with hockey player boyfriend Mike Comie, she is best known for playing the title role in the Disney Channel television series Lizzie McGuire. She has also starred in the films Cheaper by the Dozen, The Lizzie McGuire Movie (yes, the Lizzie franchise was popular), and A...

  • James Naughton

    James Naughton

    James Naughton began his acting career on stage, where he won Tony Awards for his starring roles in City of Angels and Chicago. James is also an accomplished film and TV actor. He's appeared on Brooklyn Bridge, The Cosby Mysteries, and Ally McBeal. On the big screen, his films include The Devil Wears Prada, The Good Mother, The Glass Menagerie, and The Paper Chase. Instead of preparing family...

  • Joanna Garcia

    Joanna Garcia Glammed Up for Hollywood Event, Dec 2008

    Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Joanna Garcia first got into performing at the age of ten when she landed the lead in a local theater production. She continued to act in high school, when she was discovered by Nickelodeon. She spent two years commuting to and from Montreal, to star in the television series Are You Afraid of the Dark? A familiar CW face, Joanna starred in the sitcom Reba and...

  • Michael Boatman

    Michael Boatman

    Michael Boatman was born in Colorado Springs and grew up in Chicago. After studying theatre at Western Illinois University, he went on to appear in television shows including Vietnam drama China Beach and Michael J. Fox sitcom Spin City. He’s also a short story writer and novelist.

  • Susan Misner

    Susan Misner

    Susan Misner grew up in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, where she fell in love with dancing. Her love of dance led her to New York City, where she landed roles in Broadway plays. In 1999, she secured a role on One Life to Live, which launched her TV career. She also acted in 2002's Chicago, performing the "Cell Block Tango" with Catherine Zeta-Jones. Playing Dan and Jenny's mom and Rufus's ex-wife...

  • Tyra Banks

    Tyra Banks

    Tyra Banks grew up in Inglewood, California, a city in Los Angeles County. After beginning to dabble in modeling as a junior in high school, she decided to abandon college plans in favor of a full-time modeling career. After her first week on the runway in Paris, Tyra was booked for a record twenty-five shows—unprecedented for any newcomer to the modeling scene. Work came quickly, including...

  • Willa Holland

    Willa Holland with long locks
    Gossip Girl isn't the first program in which Willa Holland has played a rebellious teen; she is most famous for her role as Kaitlin Cooper on The O.C. Long before that, Willa was a top child model. When she decided to give acting a try, she was able to consult some expert advisers: her mother is an actress and her stepfather is director Brian De Palma. De Palma found Willa an agent at the...

  • Laura Breckenridge

    Laura Breckenridge

    Laura Breckenridge got her start on stage, landing roles in a revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible and The Moonlight Room. Laura also received widespread recognition for her portrayal of nineteen-year-old college student Rose Sorelli on The WB's Related. While her Gossip Girl character, teacher Rachel Carr, did the nasty with a student, the real-life Laura is much more level-headed—she will...