Ed Westwick

Ed Westwick: biography

Despite his young age, Ed Westwick managed to develop an acting career, to try his hand as a model and musician, and also to win the love of millions of female fans. Ed has become famous for the role in the television series Gossip Girl, where the actor played Chuck Bass.

Ed Westwick was born in Stevenage (England) on June 27, 1987. Ed was the youngest of three children of Peter and Carole Westwick. His father was a university lecturer and ran his business, and the mother worked as a psychologist.

The boy studied at a private school in Stevenage for a while, then attended The Barclay School. Upon graduation, Ed entered North Hertfordshire College. The active young man managed to study hard and gradually make his way into the world of cinema. Westwick wanted to become a professional actor, so at the age of 16, he began to train at the National Youth Theatre in London.

Career

Westwick's first roles were bit and unremarkable, but they allowed Ed to study the essence of acting and get acquainted with the directors. So, in 2000 he appeared in two TV series Casualty and Doctors. From 2005 to 2008, the young actor filmed in the British television series Afterlife, and in 2006 appeared in Alfonso Cuarón’s philosophical and fantasy film Children of Men.

In 2006, Westwick also became more recognizable, starring in Anthony Minghella’s drama Breaking and Entering. He played the role of Zoran and his excellent acting impressed viewers. One year later, Ed played the role of Lawrence Carter in Garth Jennings’s film Son of Rambow, and also appeared in the popular TV series Californication, where David Duchovny performed a leading role.

Films

Ed Westwick became famous in 2007 immediately after the release of the first episodes of the television series Gossip Girl. The young actor got the role of Chuck Bass, a son of wealthy parents, who was well versed with the latest fashion trends and led a dissipated life. Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Chace Crawford, and Penn Badgley also performed the title roles in this series.

The series is a teen drama based on the novels by American writer Cecily von Ziegesar. The story revolves around the lives of privileged upper-class adolescents living in the elite district of New York City and studying at a prestigious school. The heroes’ life was filled with intrigues, quarrels, love, friendship, drugs, etc.

Critics highly appreciated Westwick's acting. For the role of Chuck Bass, he won the Teen Choice Awards (2008, 2009) twice, as well as the Young Hollywood Awards (2009). Westwick’s charming character won the love of viewers. The actor claimed that he had little in common with Chuck. Ed described himself as a "good guy" because he did not like club parties, spent with friends his free time and worked with pleasure to become an outstanding actor.

While shooting in the series Gossip Girl until 2012 (6 seasons), Westwick participated in other projects. In 2008, the actor played one of the leading roles in Eric Red’s thriller 100 Feet. One year later Ed appeared as Randy Holt in the fantasy film S. Darko.

In 2011 Westwick starred in the romantic comedy Chalet Girl directed by Phil Traill. Ed's partners on the set were Felicity Jones, Bill Nighy, Brooke Shields, and others. The same year, the actor appeared in the film J. Edgar, directed by legendary Clint Eastwood. Westwick played the role of Agent Smith, and Leonardo DiCaprio portrayed the title character, the director of the FBI.

In 2013, Ed Westwick appeared as Tybalt in the classic tragedy Romeo & Juliet. One year later, the actor played the title character in Vincent Zhou's thriller Last Flight.

At the same time, Ed Westwick tried his hand at other activities. In 2008, the actor became the face of K-Swiss, producing sports clothes and shoes.

Westwick was also a member of the band The Filthy Youth for a while. But the development of the acting career forced the man to give up music. Nevertheless, later he dreamt of creating his band in New York City. The actor is fond of music because it appears in the subconscious and helps to relax.

Ed Westwick now

Nowadays Ed Westwick continues to film actively and achieve greater heights. He is offered the title roles in projects of different genres, so Ed can prove himself as a versatile actor and show his abilities. So, 2015 was marked by the release of Robbie Pickering’s comedy horror film Freaks of Nature. In this project, Westwick worked together with Vanessa Hudgens, Rachael Harris, Bob Odenkirk, and others.

The same year, the television series Wicked City about two serial killers was released. Erika Christensen, Taissa Farmiga, Jeremy Sisto, and others also performed the leading roles in the film. But one year later, the television series was closed due to its low ratings.

In 2016, Westwick starred in Jim Gillespie’s thriller Billionaire Ransom. The plot centers on the conflict between children of wealthy parents and criminals, who are trying to take the rich young people hostage and get a huge ransom.

In March 2017, Alex De Rakoff 's crime TV series Snatch premiered, and the famous actor got the role of Sonny Castillo. Ed plays an unbalanced crime boss that looks like another character, Rory Breaker, in Guy Ritchie’s renowned crime film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Personal life

Journalists monitor Ed Westwick’s personal life. Fans are also curious; they want to know their favorite actor’s girlfriend, and carefully follow the updates on his Instagram page.

It is known that Ed was married to Renee Diamond for a while. They made a spontaneous and hasty decision to get married. So the marriage was soon annulled. In 2008, Ed appeared together with actress Drew Barrymore at Kings of Leon concert, but this meeting did not become a serious relationship.

In 2008 Westwick began dating Jessica Szohr during the shooting of the series Gossip Girl. The paparazzi found out about the relationship between the stars when they were caught kissing.

But in 2010 Ed and Jessica broke up. The actor said commenting on his personal life that girls caused a headache. There were also rumors that the reason for separating was the actress’s unfaithfulness.

In 2011, reporters wrote about the actor’s relationship with Phoebe Tonkin, an Australian actress, and model. Nevertheless, in 2012 Westwick began to appear with Jessica Szohr again. Probably, the stars decided to reunite.

Filmography

• 2000 – Casualty
• 2000 – Doctors
• 2005-2008 – Afterlife
• 2006 – Children of Men
• 2006 – Breaking and Entering
• 2007 – Son of Rambow
• 2007 – Californication
• 2007-2012 – Gossip Girl
• 2008 – 100 Feet
• 2009 – S. Darko
• 2010 – The Commuter
• 2011 – Chalet Girl
• 2011 – J. Edgar
• 2013 – Romeo & Juliet
• 2014 – Last Flight
• 2015 – Freaks of Nature
• 2015-2016 – Wicked City
• 2016 – Billionaire Ransom
• 2017 – Snatch

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