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Adam Brody

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Adam Brody
Brody in 2011
Born
Adam Jared Brody

(1979-12-15) December 15, 1979 (age 45)
San Diego, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1999–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2014)​
Children2

Adam Jared Brody (born December 15, 1979)[1] is an American actor. His breakout role was as Seth Cohen on the Fox television series The O.C. (2003–2007).[2] Brody appeared in films including Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Thank You for Smoking (2005), In the Land of Women (2007), and Jennifer's Body (2009). In the 2010s, Brody had supporting roles in comedies including Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) and Sleeping with Other People (2015), and dramatic films such as Lovelace (2013). He appeared in a number of television series during this time, and starred in and produced the television series StartUp (2016–2018).

Brody has also appeared in the DC superhero film Shazam! (2019) and its sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), and in the thriller films Ready or Not (2019) and Promising Young Woman (2020). He also starred in the mystery film The Kid Detective (2020), the Hulu miniseries Fleishman Is in Trouble (2022), and the Netflix romantic comedy series Nobody Wants This (2024). The last of these earned him a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

Early life

[edit]

Brody was born in San Diego, California,[3][4] to Valerie Jill (née Siefman),[5] a graphic artist, and Mark Alan Brody, an attorney.[6] He has younger twin brothers, Sean and Matthew (born 1985).[7] His parents, both Jewish, are originally from Detroit. Brody had a bar mitzvah ceremony and grew up celebrating Jewish holidays.[8][9]

Brody grew up in suburban San Diego, where he attended Wangenheim Middle School and Scripps Ranch High School and received "poor grades".[10] He spent much of his time surfing,[11] admitting that he "pretty much lived at the beach".[10]

Brody attended community college at MiraCosta College for one year, dropping out at the age of 19; he then moved to Hollywood to become an actor.[2]

Acting career

[edit]
Brody at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival

After a year of training and auditioning, Brody landed the role of Barry Williams in the television film Growing Up Brady (2000) and appeared in the Canadian comedy series The Sausage Factory. In 2001, he had a minor role in American Pie 2.[12] Brody's first major television role came in 2002, when he was cast in a recurring role on the third season of the comedy-drama series Gilmore Girls as Dave Rygalski, Lane's bandmate and love interest.[citation needed]

In 2003, Brody appeared in the movie Grind and the music video for "Too Bad About Your Girl" by the Donnas. That year, he was cast in his breakout role as Seth Cohen on the teen drama series The O.C., where he reportedly improvised some of the character's comedic dialogue.[11] The role turned him into a teen idol, with the character described by the Los Angeles Times as "TV's sexiest geek"[11] and by Time as having "redefined" the screen persona of "unapologetic" nerdiness.[2] Brody was the first male on the cover of Elle Girl.[2][13]

In 2005, Brody had a supporting role in the film Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and played a Hollywood studio assistant in the film adaptation of Thank You for Smoking (2006).[11] His next film role was in the romantic comedy In the Land of Women (2007), as a writer who returns to his mother's Michigan hometown to take care of his sick grandmother. He did not have to audition for the part, but was almost unable to appear in the film because of scheduling conflicts with the second season of The O.C.; the film's director pushed filming back eight months because he wanted Brody to star.[11][13] The O.C. ended its run in 2007 after four seasons. Brody had said that he was "not unhappy" with the show's cancellation,[13] and that although he was "fortunate" to be on a successful series, he was also glad to "not be on it for 10 years".[2]

After the end of The O.C.'s run, Brody turned to a full-time film career.[11] In 2007, he appeared in supporting roles in the films Smiley Face and The Ten.[11] In 2009, he starred in Boaz Yakin's drama Death in Love and in Diablo Cody's horror film Jennifer's Body. In 2010, he appeared in Kevin Smith's film Cop Out, and then in The Romantics. In July 2010, it was announced that he had worked play Detective Hoss in Scream 4,[14] which was released in April 2011. In 2011, he voiced Woodie in the MTV animated series Good Vibes,[15] and appeared in The Oranges.[16]

In January 2012, it was announced that Brody had joined the cast of Lovelace, a biopic about late 1970s porn star Linda Lovelace, directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. Brody portrayed Harry Reems.[17] He starred in Some Girl(s), which premiered at the 2013 SXSW Festival.[18] He appeared in Life Partners (2014).[19] In 2015, he appeared in Sleeping with Other People and starred as Billy Jones in Direct TV's sitcom Billy and Billie.[20][21][22]

In 2016, Brody starred in Sony Crackle's drama series StartUp.[23] He played the older version of Jack Dylan Grazer's character in the superhero film Shazam![24] and starred in the thriller Ready or Not, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett for Fox Searchlight.[25] The films were released in April and August 2019, respectively, both to positive reviews. Brody has also appeared as Max Larssen in the eight-part drama Curfew, beginning in February 2019.[26] In 2024, he co-starred in the first season of Netflix’s Nobody Wants This as Rabbi Noah Roklov who starts dating Kristen Bell’s character, Joanne, a shiksa. His performance earned him a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy.[27]

Other works

[edit]
See also: Big Japan

Aside from acting, Brody is credited as a musician and writer; he says that he "writes screenplays and songs during [his] spare time."[28] In 2003, he wrote and produced the short film Home Security.[29]

In 2005, Brody, along with Nathaniel Castro, Bret Harrison, and Brad Babinski, formed the Los Angeles–based rock band Big Japan, with Brody as the drummer.[29] Their first release, Music for Dummies, was digitally released through Nightshift Records on August 23, 2005. The four-piece indie band played gigs at pubs and festivals from 2005 to 2007 such as The Knitting Factory, Bamboozle Left, The Roxy, Spaceland, and The Viper Room.[30][31]

In 2007, Brody, with Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo, co-wrote a comic-book miniseries for DC's Wildstorm Comics titled Red Menace.[32] The limited series had six issues and was collected into a trade paperback. Since 2010, Brody has played drums in the project band The Shortcoats; they released their first EP, This Time Last Year, on October 4, 2011. Their song "Morning, Shipwreck," which Brody co-wrote, is featured in the sitcom Ben and Kate and the 2015 film The Meddler.[citation needed]

Personal life

[edit]

Brody is a secular Jew and is non-religious.[33] He has described himself as a "faux intellectual"[34][35][36] and is a member of the Democratic Party. He has joined voting action campaigns including Swing Left.[37][38]

In March 2010, Brody met actress Leighton Meester while filming The Oranges in Westchester, New York.[39][40] They were engaged in November 2013 and married in a private ceremony on February 15, 2014.[41][42][43] Their first child, a daughter, was born in 2015.[44] In 2020, they revealed they were expecting their second child,[45] a son who was born later that year.[46]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1999 Random Acts of Violence Student
2001 According to Spencer Tommy
American Pie 2 High school guy Unrated version
2002 The Ring Male teen #1 / "Kellen"
2003 Grind Dustin Knight
Home Security Greg Short film; also writer and producer[29]
Missing Brendan Patrick Calden
2005 Mr. & Mrs. Smith Benjamin Danz
Thank You for Smoking Jack Bein
2007 In the Land of Women Carter Webb
Smiley Face Steve the Dealer
The Ten Stephen Montgomery
2008 Death in Love Talent agent
2009 Jennifer's Body Nikolai Wolf
2010 Cop Out Barry Mangold
The Romantics Jake
2011 Damsels in Distress Charlie Walker
The Oranges Toby Walling
Scream 4 Deputy Hoss
2012 Seeking a Friend for the End of the World Owen
Revenge for Jolly! Danny Fidazzo
2013 Baggage Claim Sam
Lovelace Harry Reems
Some Girl(s) The Man
Welcome to the Jungle Chris
2014 Growing Up and Other Lies Rocks
Life Partners Tim
Think Like a Man Too Isaac
2015 Sleeping with Other People Sam
2016 Showing Roots Bud
Yoga Hosers Ichabod
2017 CHiPs Clay Allen
Big Bear Eric
2018 Isabelle Matt Kane
2019 Jay and Silent Bob Reboot Chronic-Con Hot Topic salesman
Shazam! Freddy Freeman (adult)
Ready or Not Daniel Le Domas
2020 The Kid Detective Abe Applebaum
Promising Young Woman Jerry
The Last Blockbuster Himself
2022 Scream Partygoer Voice cameo
My Father's Dragon Bob Voice
2023 Shazam! Fury of the Gods Freddy Freeman (adult)
River Wild Trevor Direct-to-video
American Fiction Wiley Valdespino
2024 The Gutter Building Inspector

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1999 The Amanda Show Greg Brady Episode: "When Brady's Attack"
2000 City Guys Customer #1 Episode: "Makin' Up is Hard to Do"
Family Law Noel Johnson Episode: "My Brother's Keeper"
Go Fish Billy Episode: "Go Student Council"
Growing Up Brady Barry Williams TV movie
Judging Amy Barry Gilmore Episode: "Romeo and Juliet Must Die – Well, Maybe Just Juliet"
Undressed Lucas 3 episodes
2000–2001 Once and Again Coop 3 episodes
2000–2002 The Sausage Factory Zack Altman Main cast
2001–2004 Grounded for Life Brian 2 episodes
2002 Smallville Justin Gaines Episode: "Crush"
2002–2003 Gilmore Girls Dave Rygalski Recurring role (season 3)
2003–2007 The O.C. Seth Cohen Main cast
2004 MADtv Seth Cohen Episode 9.22
2006 The Loop Keith MacDonald Episode: "The Rusty Trombone"
2011 Good Vibes Woodie Stone Main cast; voice role
2013 Burning Love Max Main cast (season 2)
House of Lies Nate Hyatt 3 episodes
Kroll Show Joel Faizon Episode: "Ice Dating"
The League Ted Rappaport 4 episodes
2014 New Girl Berkley Episode: "Exes"
The Cosmopolitans Jimmy Pilot
2015 Billy and Billie Billy Jones Main cast
2016–2018 StartUp Nick Talman Main cast; also producer
2018 Urban Myths Jack Lemmon Episode: "Marilyn Monroe and Billy Wilder"
2019–2020 Single Parents Derek Guest role (season 1); recurring role (season 2)
2019 Curfew Max Larssen 4 episodes
2020 Mrs. America Marc Feigen Fasteau Episode: "Phyllis & Fred & Brenda & Marc"
2022 Fleishman Is in Trouble Seth Morris Miniseries; main cast
2024 Nobody Wants This Noah Main cast

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2004 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor: Drama The O.C. Won [47]
Choice TV: Breakout Actor The O.C. Nominated [48]
2005 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV: Chemistry (shared with Rachel Bilson) The O.C. Won [49]
Choice TV Actor: Drama The O.C. Won
2006 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor: Drama The O.C. Won [50]
2010 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actor: Horror/Thriller Jennifer's Body Nominated [51]
2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture American Fiction Nominated [52]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Adam Brody Biography: Film Actor, Television Actor (1979–)". Biography.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e Stein, Joel (April 12, 2007). "Looking for Mr. Adorkable". Time. Archived from the original on May 19, 2007. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
  3. ^ Allen, Emma (December 1, 2014). "Early-Bird Special". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  4. ^ Allen, Emma (November 19, 2024). "In 'Nobody Wants This,' Adam Brody Keeps the Faith - The New York Times". Archived from the original on November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "Personal Details for Adam Jared Brody, "California Birth Index, 1905–1995"". FamilySearch. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  6. ^ "Adam Brody". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  7. ^ "Adam Brody! (Need We Say More?)". Elle Girl. Archived from the original on June 10, 2006. Retrieved May 25, 2006.
  8. ^ Yuan, Jada (April 5, 2012). "Adam Brody on Damsels in Distress and Having Enough Time on His Hands to Study Whit Stillman". Vulture.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  9. ^ Bloom, Nate (October 30, 2012). "Interfaith Celebrities: a New Couple, New Movies, And Sports". Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  10. ^ a b Gillard, Honey (April 19, 2007). "Adam Brody Goes 'Live With Regis & Kelly'". Blogger News Network. Archived from the original on May 1, 2007. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g Lytal, Cristy (April 15, 2007). "Coming up from 'The O.C.'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
  12. ^ Fury, Rich (August 22, 2019). "We Could All Use More Adam Brody On Our Movie Screens (And In Our Lives)". W. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2020. It's been eighteen years since Adam Brody appeared in his first feature film, as "High School Guy" in American Pie 2.
  13. ^ a b c Lawson, Terry (April 15, 2007). "MOVIE MEN: Adam Brody plays a Michigan-bred screenwriter in Jonathan Kasdan's autobiographical 'In the Land of Women'". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
  14. ^ "Three More Join Scream 4". ComingSoon.net. July 2010. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
  15. ^ Ross, Robyn (November 16, 2011). "Adam Brody Calls His MTV Series Good Vibes the "Grungier" O.C. – With Horny Surfers". TV Guide. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  16. ^ Ng, Philiana (July 24, 2012). "'The Oranges' Trailer Features Unlikely Couple Hugh Laurie and Leighton Meester (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  17. ^ "Demi Moore and Adam Brody bone up for porn star biopic 'Lovelace' starring Amanda Seyfried". HitFix. January 2, 2011. Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  18. ^ Leydon, Joe (March 11, 2013). "SXSW Review: 'Some Girl(s)'". Variety. Archived from the original on March 14, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  19. ^ Dibdin, Emma (April 25, 2013). "Leighton Meester, Adam Brody start filming 'The Life Partner'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  20. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Get a Sneak Peek at Neil LaBute's DirecTV series Billy & Billie". Playbill. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  21. ^ Genzlinger, Neil (March 2, 2015). "Review: In 'Billy & Billie,' a Step-Sibling Romance Tests Taboos". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  22. ^ Schulz, Lisa (February 26, 2015). "Adam Brody and Lisa Joyce Get Incestuous in DirecTV's 'Billy & Billie'". Variety. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  23. ^ McCarthy, Lauren (September 5, 2016). "#ManCrushMonday: Adam Brody Is Not Seth Cohen on His New Show". Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  24. ^ Buchanan, Kyle (April 16, 2019). "The Big Twist in 'Shazam!' Hides Another Fun Easter Egg". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  25. ^ Miska, Brad (October 18, 2018). "Adam Brody Joins Samara Weaving In Radio Silence's 'Ready or Not'". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  26. ^ "Another boost for Sky One's Curfew as Adam Brody joins supercharged cast". Sky Corporate. Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  27. ^ "2025 Golden Globes nominations revealed: See the full list of nominees". Entertainment Weekly. December 9, 2024. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  28. ^ Stein, Joel (April 12, 2007). "Looking for Mr. Adorkable". Time. Archived from the original on May 19, 2007. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
  29. ^ a b c Lytal, Cristy (April 15, 2007). "Coming up from 'The O.C.'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
  30. ^ "Following the Lead Set By | San Diego Reader". www.sandiegoreader.com. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  31. ^ Hochman, Steve (October 12, 2006). "Rock star is the role he relishes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  32. ^ "O.C.'s Adam Brody Takes a Comic Turn". TV Guide. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  33. ^ Bloom, Nate (October 17, 2003). "Celebrity Jews". JWeekly. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  34. ^ "Actor Adam Brody here, ask me anything". Interviewly. Archived from the original on June 21, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  35. ^ Engelberg, Keren (October 31, 2003). "Young Creator Spells Success 'O.C.'". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2006.
  36. ^ Reuven, Shmuel (April 15, 2007). "Adam Brody in the Land of Men". JewReview.net. Archived from the original on April 23, 2007. Retrieved April 16, 2007.
  37. ^ "Adam Brody Has Rare 'Gilmore Girls' Reunion, Lane & Dave Fans Rejoice". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  38. ^ Network, Action. "Canvassing in Laguna Beach with Swing Left and CADEM (CA48)". actionnetwork.org. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  39. ^ "Leighton Meester loves 'Oranges' and the Big Apple". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  40. ^ "Leighton & Adam's first red carpet pics after secret wedding". Glamour. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  41. ^ Cosgrove Baylis, Sheila (November 20, 2013). "Leighton Meester Engaged to Adam Brody". People. Archived from the original on January 22, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  42. ^ Eby, Margaret (November 20, 2013). "Leighton Meester, Adam Brody engaged after less than a year of dating". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on December 26, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  43. ^ Takeda, Allison (February 18, 2014). "Leighton Meester, Adam Brody Married in Secret Wedding!". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014.
  44. ^ Leon, Anya; Jordan, Julie. "Adam Brody and Leighton Meester Welcome Daughter Arlo Day". People. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  45. ^ Juneau, Jen (April 2, 2020). "Leighton Meester Is Pregnant! Actress Steps Out and Reveals Baby Bump While in L.A." People. Archived from the original on April 3, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  46. ^ Juneau, Jen (September 11, 2020). "Leighton Meester and Adam Brody Welcome a Son: 'He's a Dream Boy'". People. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  47. ^ Bowen, Kit (August 9, 2004). "Lindsay Lohan Tops Teen Choice Awards". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  48. ^ "The Teen Choice Awards". Hollywood Auditions. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  49. ^ Marder, Brian (August 5, 2005). "'Notebook' Big Winner at Teen Choice Awards". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  50. ^ Thomas, Rachel. "2006 Teen Choice Award Nominees and Winners". About.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  51. ^ "Teen Choice Awards 2010: Winners and Nominees – Choice Movie Actor: Horror/Thriller". Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  52. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®" (Press release). Screen Actors Guild. January 10, 2024. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
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