Jessica Capshaw Biography

(Actress)

Birthday: August 9, 1976 (Leo)

Born In: Columbia

Jessica Capshaw is an extremely talented American actress who rose to popularity after playing the role of Dr Arizona Robbins in the medical drama series, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. She attended acting classes at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London before joining the American entertainment industry. She soon started her career in films and did not shy away from making her mark in television as well. Capshaw played supporting roles in a number of films and television shows in the beginning of her career. However, her fate changed when she was cast as Jamie Stringer in the legal drama, ‘The Practice’. Lasting for 13 episodes, the show beautifully portrayed her skills and talent as an actor. But what has served as the magnum opus of her career is her role as Dr Arizona Robbins in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. The character made her a household name and catapulted her career graph to great heights.
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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Jessica Brooke Capshaw Gavigan

Age: 48 Years, 48 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Christopher Gavigan (m. 2004)

father: Robert Capshaw

mother: Kate Capshaw

siblings: Destry Allyn Spielberg, Max Spielberg, Mikaela George Spielberg, Sasha Spielberg, Sawyer Avery Spielberg, Theo Spielberg

children: Eve Augusta Gavigan, Josephine Kate Gavigan, Luke Hudson Gavigan, Poppy James Gavigan

Actresses American Women

Height: 5'5" (165 cm), 5'5" Females

U.S. State: Missouri

More Facts

education: Brown University

  • 1

    Is Jessica Capshaw related to Steven Spielberg?

    Yes, Jessica Capshaw is Steven Spielberg's stepdaughter. She is the daughter of Kate Capshaw, who is married to Spielberg.
  • 2

    Did Jessica Capshaw play a doctor on Grey's Anatomy?

    Yes, Jessica Capshaw portrayed the character of Dr. Arizona Robbins on the popular medical drama series Grey's Anatomy.
  • 3

    Has Jessica Capshaw appeared in any other TV shows besides Grey's Anatomy?

    Yes, Jessica Capshaw has appeared in other TV shows such as "The Practice," "Bones," and "The L Word."
  • 4

    Does Jessica Capshaw have any social media presence?

    Yes, Jessica Capshaw is active on social media platforms like Instagram, where she shares updates and interacts with her fans.
  • 5

    What are some of Jessica Capshaw's notable film roles?

    Some of Jessica Capshaw's notable film roles include appearances in movies like "Minority Report," "Valentine," and "The Groomsmen."
Childhood & Early Life
Jessica Capshaw was born on 9 August 1976 in Columbia, Missouri, to Robert and Kate Capshaw. Both her parents were students at the University of Missouri.
While her father worked in various capacities, such as a sales manager, marketing director, business executive and high school principal, her mother was drawn to acting. The family consequently moved to New York where Kate pursued her career in modelling and eventually acting.
When Jessica was barely four, her parents divorced. Kate Capshaw eventually married Steven Spielberg in 1994, who adopted Jessica as his step-daughter. Jessica is one of the 10 biological and adopted children in the family.
Since an early age, Jessica was drawn to the glittery world of Hollywood that her parents were a part of. She soon developed a passion for acting and decided to pursue it professionally.
On the academic front, Jessica attended Harvard-Westlake School after completing her preliminary education. Upon graduating in 1994, she enrolled at Brown University and in 1998 attained a degree in English. After completing her studies, Capshaw attended acting classes at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London.
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Career
Jessica Capshaw started her career in films in 1997 with the film, ‘The Locusts,’ in which she played the role of Patsy aka Delilah Ashford Potts. Despite it being her debut venture, the film explored Capshaw’s inherent acting talent as she played the character of an elderly woman who was a charmer and lured young men.
In 1999, shestarred in the romantic comedy, ‘The Love Letter’. In the same year, she also made her debut on television with a guest role in ‘ER’ as Sally McKenna.
From 1999 to 2000, she was cast as Aunt Jordan in the series, ‘Odd Man Out’ that aired on ABC Network. Jessica starred in 13 episodes of the sitcom. She also acted in the television film, ‘The Back Page’ and short film, ‘Big Time’.
In 2001, she returned to the big screen with ‘Valentine’. The slasher film was based on a novel of the same name. Though the film was critically panned, it received great admiration from the audience and was a hit at the box office. Capshaw played the character of Dorothy Wheeler in it.
After ‘Valentine’, Capshaw was cast as a series regular for season 7 and 8 in the television legal drama, ‘The Practice’. She played the character of Jamie Stringer. The seasons lasted until 2004. During this period, she appeared in movies, ‘Minority Report’ and ‘View From The Top’
Between 2006 and 2007, she appeared on the TV shows, ‘Bones’ and ‘The L Word’. She also had roles in films, ‘The Groomsmen’ and ‘Blind Trust’.
Jessica Capshaw’s career took a spectacular leap in 2009 when she was cast in the extremely popular television series, ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ which was running its fifth season. Initially planned for just three episodes, Capshaw’s character of Arizona Robbins, a paediatric surgeon, ended up becoming a permanent fixture in all of the season’s remaining episodes.
By the time the sixth season of Grey’s Anatomy set in, Capshaw had become a series regular. She was established as a love-interest for orthopaedic resident Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez). The two actors sizzled on screen and their chemistry was simply outstanding. She soon became a ‘fan favourite’. Capshaw was a fresh welcomes to the series and was lauded for her acting abilities both by the critics and the audience.
Capshaw’s association with ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ was a long-standing one. She was a regular cast since 2009 and has starred in about 214 episodes. It was in March 2018 that Capshaw opted out of the series due to creative differences.
Capshaw’s last collaboration with a film was in 2014 when she voiced for a Duck in the animated film, ‘The Hero of Color City’.
Family & Personal Life
Jessica Capshaw tied the knot with Christopher Gavigan on 22 May 2004 at her family's East Hampton estate. Immediately after her marriage, she took her husband's last name, thus becoming Jessica Brooke Capshaw Gavigan.
The Gavigans have been blessed with four children, including one son, Luke born in 2007; and three daughters - Eve, Poppy and Josephine born in 2010, 2012 and 2016 respectively.
Facts About Jessica Capshaw
Jessica Capshaw is the stepdaughter of legendary director Steven Spielberg, having been raised by him since she was a young girl.
In addition to her acting talents, Jessica Capshaw is also known for her philanthropic efforts, supporting various charitable organizations and causes.
Arizona Robbins on "Grey's Anatomy," Jessica Capshaw is known to have a playful and down-to-earth personality off-screen.
An avid fan of vintage fashion, Jessica Capshaw has been spotted wearing unique and eclectic pieces on the red carpet, showcasing her individual style.

Jessica Capshaw Movies

1. Minority Report (2002)

  (Mystery, Thriller, Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama, Sci-Fi)

2. The Groomsmen (2006)

  (Comedy, Drama, Romance, Music)

3. The Locusts (1997)

  (Drama)

4. Holidate (2020)

  (Comedy, Romance)

5. The Love Letter (1999)

  (Comedy, Romance, Drama)

6. View from the Top (2003)

  (Romance, Comedy)

7. Valentine (2001)

  (Horror, Thriller, Mystery)

See the events in life of Jessica Capshaw in Chronological Order

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Article Title
- Jessica Capshaw Biography
Author
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Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/jessica-capshaw-31426.php

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