Blake Lively

Blake Ellender Lively, formerly known as Blake Brown, was born on August 25, 1987, in Los Angeles, California. She hails from a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry, being the daughter of actor Ernie Lively. Lively made her professional debut in the 1998 film Sandman, directed by her father.


She gained widespread recognition for her role as Bridget Vreeland in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) and its sequel, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008). Additionally, Lively starred in the comedy Accepted (2006) alongside Justin Long.
Lively's breakout role came with her portrayal of Serena van der Woodsen in the CW teen drama series Gossip Girl (2007–2012), earning her significant acclaim and establishing her as a prominent figure in Hollywood.


Throughout her career, Lively has showcased her versatility in various genres, including romantic comedies like New York, I Love You (2008) and The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009). She also ventured into crime thrillers, starring opposite Ben Affleck in The Town (2010) and appearing alongside her future husband, Ryan Reynolds, in Green Lantern (2011).
Lively has received critical acclaim for her performances in films such as Savages (2012), where she was part of an ensemble cast, and for portraying the titular character in the romantic fantasy The Age of Adaline (2015). She demonstrated her range by portraying the antagonist in the black comedy thriller A Simple Favor (2018).


In addition to her acting career, Lively has taken on directing roles, including directing Taylor Swift's music video "I Bet You Think About Me" in 2021.
With her talent, versatility, and dedication to her craft, Blake Lively continues to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.


Blake Ellender Lively, originally named Blake Ellender Brown, was born on August 25, 1987, in the Tarzana neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Her parents, Elaine and Ernie Lively, were both involved in the entertainment industry, with her mother working as a talent scout and her father being an actor. Lively was named after her grandmother's brother and has an older brother named Eric, as well as three half-siblings from her mother's previous marriage: Lori, Robyn, and Jason.


Growing up, Lively spent a significant amount of time accompanying her parents to the acting classes they taught, rather than being left with a babysitter. This exposure to the industry from a young age helped her gain confidence and familiarity with the "drills" of acting. Despite initially not being particularly interested in acting and aspiring to attend Stanford University, Lively made her professional debut at the age of 10 in the 1998 film Sandman, directed by her father.


Lively attended Burbank High School and graduated in 2005, where she was actively involved in various activities such as cheerleading, choir (where she was part of the championship choir), and served as class president. It was during her high school years that Lively's elder brother encouraged her to audition for acting roles, eventually leading to her breakthrough role as Bridget in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005), which she filmed between her junior and senior years.


In 2005, Blake Lively's performance in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants earned her a nomination for a Teen Choice Award for "Choice Movie Breakout – Female". The following year, she co-starred with Justin Long in Accepted and had minor roles in the horror film Simon Says. Although Accepted received mixed reviews from critics, Lively's performance was praised, earning her a 'Breakthrough Award' from Hollywood Life.


In 2007, Lively starred in Elvis and Anabelle as Anabelle, a character struggling with bulimia who aspired to win a beauty pageant. To prepare for the role, Lively underwent a significant weight loss regimen, describing food as "the No. 1 love of my life." Despite the challenges, her dedication to the role was lauded by critics. MovieLine.com hailed her performance as her "breakthrough role," recognizing her talent and commitment to the character.


In 2007, Blake Lively was cast in The CW's series Gossip Girl, based on the novel series by Cecily von Ziegesar. Initially hesitant due to plans of attending college, she was assured she could study part-time while filming, although this promise was not put in writing. Lively portrayed the character Serena van der Woodsen in the teen drama until the show concluded in 2012. Her role in Gossip Girl garnered significant attention, and she graced the cover of CosmoGirl in November 2007, discussing her high school experiences and career prior to the series.


In 2008, Lively reprised her role as Bridget in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, receiving praise from critics for her performance. She also appeared in the romantic comedy New York, I Love You as Gabrielle DiMarco, though the film did not fare well commercially. Lively's portrayal of the younger version of the titular character in The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009) was critically acclaimed, with one reviewer describing her performance as "sensational."


Continuing her film career, Lively appeared in The Town (2010), directed by and starring Ben Affleck. Her performance as Kristina "Kris" Coughlin earned recognition, with Variety noting her "fierce, pained moments" in the role. In 2011, she starred as Carol Ferris in the superhero film Green Lantern, which grossed over $219 million worldwide. Lively's influence extended beyond film; she was named one of Time magazine's 100 influential people in 2011 and was voted the most desirable woman of 2011 by AskMen.com.
In 2012, Lively starred in Oliver Stone's Savages, receiving praise for her portrayal of Ophelia. Additionally, she became the face of the new Gucci fragrance, Gucci Premiere, and appeared in a short film ad for the fragrance directed by Nicolas Winding Refn.


In October 2013, Blake Lively became the face of L'Oreal, marking her debut in a major makeup campaign. She starred in the film The Age of Adaline (2015), portraying a woman who halts aging after surviving a near-fatal accident. Despite its modest commercial success, the film showcased Lively's potential as a leading lady, particularly in the second half, where her clipped delivery and coy restraint garnered critical acclaim.


In 2016, Lively impressed audiences and critics alike with her performance in the survival horror film The Shallows. The following year, she starred in Woody Allen's Café Society, receiving praise for her work with the acclaimed director. She also starred in psychological drama All I See Is You (2016) and mystery-thriller A Simple Favor (2018), the latter directed by Paul Feig. Lively's portrayal in A Simple Favor was particularly acclaimed, with critics lauding her multifaceted performance.


Continuing to showcase her versatility, Lively played the lead role in The Rhythm Section (2020), portraying a drug-addicted prostitute turned assassin. Her performance was noted for its realistic portrayal of vulnerability and incompetence in dangerous situations. In May 2021, Lively was announced as the lead in Lady Killer, further solidifying her status as a leading actress.


Beyond acting, Lively ventured into directing, making her directorial debut with Taylor Swift's music video "I Bet You Think About Me" in November 2021. Additionally, she is set to make her feature directing debut with an adaptation of the graphic novel Seconds and will star in the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel It Ends with Us, showcasing her multifaceted talents both in front of and behind the camera.

References

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3. ^ Finn, Natalie (September 17, 2012). "Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds: Marriage Certificate Shows They Wed Days After Secret Ceremony". E!. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
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6. ^ Russell, Doris Mcalpin (January 29, 1947). "McAlpin(e) genealogies, 1730–1990: Alexander McAlpin of South Carolina and ... – Doris McAlpin Russell". Retrieved March 15, 2015.
7. ^ "Celebrity siblings". Glamour. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
8. a b Wood, Dana (December 2008). "Blake Lively's After School Activities (pg. 1)". W. Archived from the original on December 28, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
9. a b Miller, Rebecca (December 2009). "Blake Lively Grows Up". Marie Claire. Archived from the original on November 7, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
10. ^ Allure "The Anti-Gossip Girl" (May 2009).
11. ^ Lilith Hardie Lupica (March 21, 2018). "Blake Lively's yearbook photos have been released and yes, she was very popular". Vogue. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
12. ^ Fahner, Molly (August 11, 2008). "Everyone's Talking About Blake Lively". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on November 25, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
13. ^ Wood, Dana (December 2008). "Blake Lively's After School Activities (pg 2)". W. Archived from the original on March 14, 2009. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
14. a b "The Teen Choice Awards". Fox. Archived from the original on January 8, 2006. Retrieved October 31, 2014.