Shailene Woodley Bio
Shailene Woodley (born November 15, 1991) is an American actress known for her versatile roles in both television and film. She first gained prominence for her starring role as Amy Juergens in the ABC Family teen drama series The Secret Life of the American Teenager, which aired from 2008 to 2013. Woodley has since starred in critically acclaimed films such as The Descendants (2011) and The Fault in Our Stars (2014), earning her a Golden Globe nomination for the former. Her performances have garnered her a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most talented actresses, with a career that spans over two decades.
Early Life and Background
Shailene Woodley was born in the United States to a middle-school counselor and a former school principal. She has a younger brother named Tanner. Woodley’s parents separated when she was 14 years old. Her early exposure to acting began at the age of five when she started working in commercials, appearing in over sixty TV spots before she turned eleven. Woodley attended Simi Valley High School, where she was a 4.0 student and took Advanced Placement classes. She briefly considered studying Interior Design at New York University but chose to pursue acting full-time when she was cast in The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
Path to Hollywood
Woodley began her acting career in 1999 with a minor role in the television film Replacing Dad. She gained attention for her performances in various television series, including The District and Crossing Jordan. Her breakthrough came when she was cast as Amy Juergens in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, a role that made her a household name. During her time on the show, she also took acting classes from Anthony Meindl, further honing her craft. Following her success on television, Woodley transitioned to film, making her feature film debut in Alexander Payne’s The Descendants, which showcased her talent and earned her critical acclaim.
Shailene Woodley Career
Early Career (1999–2010)
Woodley began her acting career with a minor role in the television film Replacing Dad in 1999. She gained recognition for her role in the television film A Place Called Home (2004), which earned her a nomination for a Young Artist Award. Woodley also appeared in the television film Felicity: An American Girl Adventure (2005), receiving another Young Artist Award nomination for her performance. Her role in The Secret Life of the American Teenager solidified her status as a rising star in Hollywood.
Breakthrough (2011–2014)
In 2011, Woodley made her feature film debut in The Descendants, where she played Alex, the troubled daughter of Matt King, portrayed by George Clooney. Her performance received widespread acclaim, leading to a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Following this success, Woodley starred in The Spectacular Now (2013), earning praise for her portrayal of Aimee Finecky. In 2014, she achieved wider recognition for her role as Hazel Grace Lancaster in The Fault in Our Stars, a film that grossed over $307 million worldwide. Woodley’s performance was lauded by critics, and she received numerous accolades for her work in both The Fault in Our Stars and Divergent, further establishing her as a leading actress in Hollywood.
Notable Works and Milestones
Woodley’s signature works include The Secret Life of the American Teenager, The Descendants, The Fault in Our Stars, and the Divergent series. She has received several awards and nominations throughout her career, including a Golden Globe nomination and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.
Shailene Woodley Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Shailene Woodley has received numerous nominations for her performances, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for The Descendants and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her role in Big Little Lies.
Shailene Woodley Awards Won
Woodley has won several awards, including the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for her role in The Descendants and the Special Jury Award for Acting at the Sundance Film Festival for The Spectacular Now.
Shailene Woodley Family
Shailene Woodley comes from a family with a background in education. Her mother is a middle-school counselor, and her father is a former school principal. She has a younger brother named Tanner.
Personal Life
Woodley has been in notable relationships, including a two-year relationship with Australian-Fijian rugby player Ben Volavola and an engagement to NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, which ended in 2022. Woodley is also known for her activism, particularly in environmental causes, and co-founded the nonprofit organization All it Takes, which focuses on youth development and environmental education. She is an advocate for various environmental initiatives and has participated in protests, including the Dakota Access Pipeline protest in 2016.
