Zooey Deschanel
Zooey Deschanel sings and writes songs as one half of She & Him with M. Ward, alongside an acting career that includes New Girl, Elf and (500) Days of Summer.
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Latest
Zooey’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus her backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
FOX
Searchlight PicturesOverview
- Born
- January 17, 1980 · Los Angeles, California
- Work
- Singer, songwriter and actress
- Music
- She & Him, with M. Ward
- Screen breakout
- Almost Famous (2000)
- Signature TV role
- Jess Day in New Girl (2011–2018)
Mini bio
How it started.
Zooey grew up in Los Angeles with an actress mother, Mary Jo Deschanel, and cinematographer father, Caleb Deschanel. Her film debut was Mumford in 1999, followed by her breakout supporting turn in Almost Famous in 2000.
Finding She & Him.
Director Martin Hynes paired Zooey and M. Ward to record “When I Get to the Border” for The Go-Getter. That collaboration sparked Volume One, released by Merge Records on March 18, 2008. Their partnership grew into a catalog of original songs, holiday records and covers.
Songs and screen stories.
Fans may know her as Jovie in Elf, Summer in (500) Days of Summer or Jess Day in New Girl. Music runs through her screen work too: her original song “So Long,” written for Winnie the Pooh, earned a Grammy nomination.
A song finds new ears.
In late 2025, TikTok helped revive “I Thought I Saw Your Face Today,” giving She & Him their first Hot 100 entry. In 2026, the pair announced the Pump Up the Volumes Tour, returning to their original-song albums.
Creditschronological, newest first
Music
- 2022Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian WilsonShe & Him · vocalist
- 2011A Very She & Him ChristmasShe & Him · vocalist
- 2011So LongSongwriter and performer · Winnie the Pooh
- 2008Volume OneShe & Him · singer and songwriter
Film & TV
- 2026Trash MountainAbbi
- 2025MervAnna
- 2011–2018New GirlJess Day
- 2009(500) Days of SummerSummer
- 2003ElfJovie
- 2000Almost FamousWilliam Miller’s older sister
Awards
- Critics’ Choice Television Award · Winner2012 · Best Actress in a Comedy Series for New Girl, tied with Amy Poehler.
- Grammy Award · Nominee2012 · Best Song Written for Visual Media for “So Long” from Winnie the Pooh.
- Primetime Emmy Award · Nominee2012 · Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Jess Day in New Girl.
- Golden Globe Awards · Three nominations2012, 2013 and 2014 · Actress in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy, for New Girl.
Quotes
I feel lucky that I do music as well. When one thing isn’t happening, I’m able to do the other.Zooey Deschanel, The Hollywood Reporter
In an October 2026 interview, Zooey reflected on moving between acting and music as the entertainment business changes.
Trivia
- She was named after the male character in J. D. Salinger’s Franny and Zooey.
- Her older sister is Bones actress Emily Deschanel.
- She directed She & Him’s “I Could’ve Been Your Girl” music video and the season six premiere of New Girl.
- Brian Wilson appears with She & Him on “Do It Again” on their tribute album Melt Away.
Find Zooey
Follow Zooey’s updates and listen to She & Him.
Are you Zooey Deschanel?
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