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Ed Westwick

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Ed Westwick
Westwick in 2010
Born
Edward Jack Peter Westwick

(1987-06-27) 27 June 1987 (age 37)
Hammersmith, London, England
Occupation(s)Actor, musician
Years active2006–present
Partner(s)Amy Jackson (2022–present; engaged)

Edward Jack Peter Westwick[1] (born 27 June 1987)[2] is an English actor and musician best known for his role as Chuck Bass on The CW's Gossip Girl as well as Vincent Swan in the TV series White Gold. He made his feature film debut in Children of Men (2006) and has since appeared in the films Breaking and Entering (2006), Son of Rambow (2007), S. Darko (2009), Chalet Girl (2011), J. Edgar (2011), Romeo & Juliet (2013), Bone in the Throat (2015), Freaks of Nature (2015), Billionaire Ransom (2016) and Me You Madness (2021).

Early life

Westwick was born in Hammersmith, London,[1] and raised in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.[3] He was born the youngest of three boys for Carole (née Blenkiron),[1] an educational psychologist, and Peter Westwick, a university lecturer.[4] He began music lessons and attended a Saturday morning drama school from the age of six.[5] Westwick was educated at The Barclay School and North Hertfordshire College, where he took A-levels in business, law and communication.[5] He was a member of the National Youth Theatre in London.[6][7]

Career

Acting

Westwick made his film debut in Breaking and Entering (2006), following an open audition casting call sent to the National Youth Theatre.[8] He went on to guest star in the British television series Doctors as Holden, Casualty as Johnny Cullin, and Afterlife as Darren. He also had a minor role in the film Children of Men (2006).[citation needed]

In 2007, Westwick appeared in the film Son of Rambow and was cast as Chuck Bass in The CW's teen drama series Gossip Girl, based on the book series of the same name by Cecily von Ziegesar. Westwick said of his casting: "There wasn't much work in the UK. I was only in LA for a month and I got this show. It's changed my life."[9] For his portrayal of Chuck, he assumed an American accent, based on the character Carlton Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.[10] As a result of the show's success, he was named one of 2008's Sexiest Men Alive by People,[11] and appeared the following year on its "100 Most Beautiful" list with the whole cast of Gossip Girl.[12] Westwick earned the 2008 and 2009 awards for Best TV Villain at the Teen Choice Awards, and was named Breakthrough Talent by GQ in 2010.[13] Entertainment Weekly also named Westwick's character Chuck Bass number one in their "Best Dressed TV Characters of 2008" list (tied with Leighton Meester's character Blair Waldorf), as well as in their "Best Performances" list alongside co-star Meester.[14]

Westwick on the set of Gossip Girl in 2010

In 2008, Westwick became the new face of K-Swiss.[15] That same year, he appeared as Joey in the horror film 100 Feet. In 2009, Westwick played the role of Randy Holt in the sequel to Donnie Darko, directed by Chris Fisher, and guest-starred in the third season of the Showtime original series Californication, as Chris "Balt" Smith, a student who was fascinated with vampire literature.[16] In May 2009, he was attached to play Heathcliff in the film adaptation of Wuthering Heights.[17] However, in January 2010, director Peter Webber left the project, which was then passed into the hands of Andrea Arnold. This directing change caused the roles to be recast.

In 2010, Westwick starred in the McHenry Brothers short film The Commuter, which was shot on a Nokia N8 smartphone.[18] In January 2011, Westwick joined Clint Eastwood's film J. Edgar, a biopic about J. Edgar Hoover, the controversial first director of the FBI.[19] That same year, he appeared in the romantic comedy Chalet Girl. He co-narrated the audio book version of City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare and also narrated Clare's second novel Clockwork Prince from The Infernal Devices series.[20] In mid-2011, Westwick became an international celebrity endorser for Penshoppe, a local clothing brand in the Philippines.[21][22]

He next co-starred in the film adaptation of Romeo & Juliet as the main antagonist and Juliet's cousin, Tybalt. The film was released on 11 October 2013.[23] Westwick then portrayed the lead role in the film adaptation of Anthony Bourdain's novel Bone in the Throat, which premiered at South by Southwest on 14 March 2015.[24] Westwick then co-starred in the horror comedy film Freaks of Nature, which was released on 30 October 2015.[25] In March 2015, he joined the cast of ABC's short-lived crime drama series Wicked City as Kent Grainger, a sadistic Sunset Strip serial killer.[26] The series was cancelled after airing three episodes, but was picked up by Hulu to air the remaining five episodes. Westwick was next seen in Jim Gillespie's Billionaire Ransom, released on 19 August 2016,[27] and stars in the thriller The Crash, released on 13 January 2017.[28]

Westwick played Vincent Swan in the BBC Two television comedy series White Gold (2017). The show has so far aired two seasons, for a total of twelve episodes.

Westwick starred in Me You Madness (2021), co-starring and directed by Louise Linton.[29]

Music

Westwick was a member of the British band The Filthy Youth.[30] The punk band, formed in 2006, was inspired by the Rolling Stones, The Doors and Kings of Leon. The songs "Come Flash All You Ladies" and "Orange" were both featured in an episode of Gossip Girl. The band consisted of fellow countrymen Benjamin Lewis Allingham (guitar), Jimmy Wright (guitar), Tom Bastiani (bass), and John Vooght (drummer).[31]

Westwick is also the vocalist of the band For You, who released their first single "Tailspin" on 15 January 2023.

Personal life

Westwick shared an apartment with his Gossip Girl co-star Chace Crawford in the Chelsea neighbourhood of Manhattan from the beginning of the series in 2007 until July 2009, when Crawford moved out.[32][33] Westwick is a Chelsea supporter.[34][35]

On 29 January 2024, Westwick announced his engagement to his recent girlfriend, Bollywood actress Amy Jackson.[36]

Sexual misconduct allegations

In November 2017, allegations were separately made by three women: Kristina Cohen, Rachel Eck and Aurélie Wynn. Cohen and Wynn made claims of rape, and Eck claims of sexual assault. All three claim the incidents occurred in 2014.[37][38][39] Westwick issued a statement describing the allegations from Cohen and Wynn as "unverified and provably untrue" and further stated: "I have never forced myself in any manner, on any woman. I certainly have never committed rape".[40][41]

In July 2018, the office of the Los Angeles District Attorney announced that Westwick would not be prosecuted regarding the claims of rape and sexual assault. Prosecutors said witnesses identified by the first two alleged victims were "not able to provide information that would enable the prosecution to prove either incident beyond a reasonable doubt", with prosecutors unable to contact the third claimant. Prosecutors also noted additional claims made by other individuals would not be looked into, due to being outside the statute of limitations.[42]

The allegations resulted in the re-shooting of scenes involving Westwick in the BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie's Ordeal by Innocence with Christian Cooke, and in series two of White Gold being "paused". Westwick stated that he is disappointed with the actions of the BBC due to the ongoing investigations, legal processes and the unverified nature of the claims.[43][44][45]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Children of Men Alex
Breaking and Entering Zoran
2007 Son of Rambow Lawrence Carter
2008 100 Feet Joey
2009 S. Darko Randy Holt
2010 The Commuter Bellboy in Lift Short film
2011 Chalet Girl Jonny Madsen
J. Edgar Agent Smith
2013 Romeo & Juliet Tybalt
2014 Last Flight Charles Gillis
2015 Bone in the Throat Will Reeves
Freaks of Nature Milan Pinache
2016 Billionaire Ransom Billy Speck
2017 The Crash Ben Collins
2020 Enemy Lines Major Kaminiski
2021 Me You Madness Tyler Jones
2022 Wolves of War Jack Wallace
2023 Deep Fear Jackson
2024 DarkGame Ben

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Doctors Holden Edwards Episode: "Young Mothers Do Have 'Em"
Casualty Johnny Cullin Episode: "Family Matters"
Afterlife Darren Episode: "Roadside Bouquets"
2007–2012 Gossip Girl Charles "Chuck" Bass Main character; 117 episodes
2009 Californication Chris "Balt" Smith Episode: "The Land of Rape and Honey"
2015 Wicked City Kent Grainger 8 episodes
2017 Family Guy Football Player / Wedding Officiant (voice) Episode: "The Finer Strings"
Snatch Sonny Castillo 4 episodes
2017–2019 White Gold Vincent Swan 12 episodes

Music videos

Year Title Role Artist
2018 "Give Me Your Hand" Himself Shannon K

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2008 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Breakout Star – Male Gossip Girl Nominated
Choice TV – Villain Won
2009 Won
Young Hollywood Awards Young Hollywood Breakthrough – Male Won
Breakthrough Performance – Male Himself Won
2010 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV – Villain Gossip Girl Nominated
2011 Nominated
2012 Choice TV Actor – Drama Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b c "Person Details for Edward Jack P Westwick, "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006"". FamilySearch.
  2. ^ "Famous birthdays for June 27: Vera Wang, Khloe Kardashian". United Press International. 27 June 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2019. Actor Ed Westwick in 1987 (age 32)
  3. ^ Sykes, Pandora (4 November 2010). "Ed Westwick's My London". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 16 January 2014. I was raised in Stevenage.
  4. ^ "Meet Ed Westwick: British Born Star Of "Gossip Girl"". HuffPost. 27 April 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  5. ^ a b Kaye, Liz (29 September 2011). Gossip Boys: The Double Unauthorised Biography of Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford. Virgin Books. pp. 10–12. ISBN 978-0-7535-4028-2.
  6. ^ "Ed Westwick: People.com". People. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  7. ^ "Alumni". National Youth Theatre. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  8. ^ "Transcript: Anjali Rao interviews "Gossip Girl" actor about his character, his other projects, his beginnings, and his future". CNN. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  9. ^ "Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick is suited to the English gent role". Metro UK. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  10. ^ Harris, Mark (November 2008). "Boys of Gossip Girl". Details. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  11. ^ "2008's Sexiest Men Alive – Ed Westwick". People. November 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  12. ^ "World's Most Beautiful People – The Gossip Girl Cast". People. 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  13. ^ Bhattacharya, Sanjiv (7 September 2010). "GQ Men Of The Year 2010 – Breakthrough Talent: Ed Westwick". GQ. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  14. ^ "The Best & Worst of 2008". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 7 September 2009.
  15. ^ Odell, Amy (5 November 2008). "Ed Westwick Lands K-Swiss Campaign". New York. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  16. ^ Stransky, Tanner (1 May 2009). "Showtime's "Californication" adds Ed Westwick, Eva Amurri as season 3 guest stars". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 4 May 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  17. ^ Jaafar, Ali (14 May 2009). "Cast taken to new 'Heights'". Variety. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  18. ^ Caird, Jo (22 October 2010). "The Commuter reveals the potential of new technology". The Independent. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  19. ^ Lyons, Margaret (11 January 2011). "Ed Westwick cast in 'J. Edgar'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  20. ^ Wilkinson, Amy (6 December 2011). "EXCLUSIVE: 'Clockwork Prince' Author Cassandra Clare Interviews Audiobook Narrator Ed Westwick". MTV. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  21. ^ Alejo, Annie S. (14 June 2011). "Ed Westwick works his 'Chuck Bass' to thrill Manila crowd". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  22. ^ Almo, Nerisa (28 May 2011). "Gossip Girl actor Ed Westwick will be in Manila to shoot new campaign of local clothing brand". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  23. ^ Chitwood, Adam (23 May 2011). "Ed Westwick to Play Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet". Collider. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  24. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (6 May 2013). "Ed Westwick Has A 'Bone In The Throat'". Deadline Hollywood.
  25. ^ Sneider, Jeff (15 August 2013). "'Gossip Girl' Alum Ed Westwick in Negotiations to Star in Sony's 'Kitchen Sink' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  26. ^ O'Connell, Michael (12 March 2015). "'Gossip Girl' Alum to Play Creepy Murderer in ABC Pilot". The Hollywood Reporter.
  27. ^ Hopewell, John (14 May 2014). "Ed Westwick, Dominic Sherwood Join Jim Gillespie's 'Take Down' (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  28. ^ Kroll, Justin (29 October 2013). "'The Butler' Producer Sets up Next Pic Starring Frank Grillo and Minnie Driver (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  29. ^ Pederson, Erik (16 April 2019). "'Me, You, Madness': First-Look Image Of Pic From Writer-Director-Star Louise Linton". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  30. ^ Pressler, Jessica; Rovzar, Chris (21 April 2008). "The Genius of Gossip Girl". New York.
  31. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (24 September 2008). "'Gossip Girl' Stars Leighton Meester, Ed Westwick Parlay TV Success Into Music Careers". MTV. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  32. ^ Leonard, Elizabeth; Garcia, Jennifer (29 June 2009). "Chace Crawford Bachelor No. 1". People. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  33. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (13 July 2009). "Chace Crawford Moves Out of Ed Westwick's Apartment". Us Weekly. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  34. ^ "Ed Westwick: 'I can be a real bitch – people know when to stay away'". Daily Mirror. 3 May 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  35. ^ Lo, Ricky (5 June 2011). "Ed Westwick: Television's Most Loved 'Bad Boy'". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  36. ^ "Amy Jackson announces engagement with Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick. See dreamy pics from the proposal". Hindustan Times. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  37. ^ Gardner, Chris (7 November 2017). "'Gossip Girl' Star Ed Westwick Accused of Rape, Actor Denies Claim". The Hollywood Reporter.
  38. ^ Robb, David (9 November 2017). "Ed Westwick Calls Rape Accusations "Provably Untrue" After Second Woman Comes Forward – Update". Deadline Hollywood.
  39. ^ Bradley, Laura (15 November 2017). "Third Woman Accuses Ed Westwick of Sexual Assault". Vanity Fair.
  40. ^ Sharman, Jon (8 November 2017). "Ed Westwick rape allegation 'being investigated by LAPD'". The Independent.
  41. ^ "Ed Westwick will not be prosecuted in US". BBC News. 27 July 2018.
  42. ^ "Ed Westwick will not be prosecuted in US". BBC News. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  43. ^ "Ed Westwick removed from BBC Agatha Christie drama Ordeal By Innocence". BBC News. 5 January 2018.
  44. ^ Romano, Nick (5 January 2018). "Ed Westwick replaced in Agatha Christie drama following sexual assault claims". Entertainment Weekly.
  45. ^ Evans, Greg (10 November 2017). "BBC Drops Ed Westwick Drama 'Ordeal By Innocence', Halts Appearance In 'White Gold'". Deadline Hollywood.
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