Beth Behrs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Beth Behrs
Behrs at the 38th People's Choice Awards in 2012
Born
Elizabeth Ann Behrs

(1985-12-26) December 26, 1985 (age 38)
Alma materUCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (BA)
OccupationActress
Years active2009–present
Spouse
(m. 2018)
Children1[1]

Elizabeth Ann Behrs (born December 26, 1985) is an American actress. She is known for her starring role as Caroline Channing in the CBS comedy series 2 Broke Girls. The show ran for six seasons and earned Behrs praise and nominations for the Teen and the People's Choice Awards. Having made her screen debut in the 2009 comedy film American Pie Presents: The Book of Love, she later ventured into television roles. After 2 Broke Girls, Behrs returned to feature films with the 2015 productions Chasing Eagle Rock and Hello, My Name Is Doris. She voiced Carrie Williams in the animated film Monsters University (2013) and Moochie in the television series Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh. In 2018, she was cast in her second major TV role, playing Gemma Johnson in the CBS sitcom The Neighborhood.[2]

In addition to her acting career, Behrs has authored a self-help book and written the young-adult webcomic Dents. She is also a philanthropist and the founder of the SheHerdPower Foundation, which helps victims of sexual assaults.

Early life[edit]

Behrs was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the elder daughter of David Behrs, a college administrator, and Maureen Behrs, a first-grade teacher.[3][4]She has a sister who is six years younger.[5] In 1989, her family moved to Springfield, Virginia, and later to Lynchburg, Virginia, where she was raised. She began performing in theater at age four and played soccer while growing up.[6] She was a student at E.C. Glass High School.[7]

At age 15, Behrs relocated with her family to Marin County, California.[8] She began attending Tamalpais High School in 2001, and was accepted into the school's highly regarded drama program. She graduated from that high school in 2004.[9] Behrs studied at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, and went on to perform in the musical Dangling Conversations: The Music of Simon and Garfunkel, and the plays Korczak's Children and A Bright Room Called Day. She was classically trained as a singer.[10]

Behrs moved to Los Angeles, California, in 2004, to study acting at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.[10] In 2005, she played Sandy Dumbrowski in a production of Grease at San Francisco's Ray of Light Theatre, and was named Miss Marin County in 2006.[11][12] She began auditioning for roles in her senior year and graduated in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in critical studies. Behrs was awarded a Young Musician's Foundation Vocal Scholarship after graduating from the college.[9][8]

Career[edit]

2 Broke Girls co-stars Kat Dennings and Behrs at the 38th People's Choice Awards on January 11, 2012.

Behrs landed her first film role in the teen comedy American Pie Presents: The Book of Love, which she filmed in Vancouver for seven weeks beginning in March 2009.[8] The seventh in the American Pie series, the film was released direct-to-video on December 22, 2009. She next starred in Adventures of Serial Buddies, an independent comedy about an inept group of serial killers produced by TV personality Maria Menounos.[10] The film also starred Christopher Lloyd, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Artie Lange. In late 2010, Behrs shot the independent feature, Route 30, Too!, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, playing an alien girl.[13]

Behrs began working in television with guest appearances on NCIS: Los Angeles and ABC's Castle.[14] In 2011, she was working as a nanny and at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood, when she auditioned for the CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls. She landed the lead role after seven auditions.[12] Behrs stars as Caroline Channing, an heiress from Manhattan's Upper East Side, who is forced to become a waitress at a diner in Williamsburg, Brooklyn after her father is arrested for financial wrongdoing.[15] Her character is a graduate of the Wharton School who teams up with a waitress named Max (Kat Dennings) in a business venture.[12] The series is produced by comedian Whitney Cummings and Sex and the City-producer Michael Patrick King.[6] In March 2016, CBS renewed the series for a sixth season.[16] On May 12, 2017, the series was canceled after six seasons.[17]

In 2013, Behrs appeared on It's a Brad, Brad World, a Bravo reality television series featuring fashion stylist Brad Goreski.[18] Behrs was also a presenter at the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards.[19] She voiced sorority girl Carrie Williams that year in the Disney/Pixar animated film Monsters University, a prequel to 2001's Monsters, Inc..[20] She starred alongside Sally Field and Max Greenfield in the independent comedy, Hello, My Name Is Doris, directed by Michael Showalter.[21] Behrs and Kat Dennings hosted the 40th People's Choice Awards, where she also sang Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball".[22][23] She has also sang numerous times on 2 Broke Girls and The Neighborhood.

Behrs made her Manhattan stage debut in June 2016 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in Halley Feiffer's comedic play, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center of New York City.[24] Since 2016, she co-creates the young-adult webcomic Dents with childhood friend Matt Doyle. Inspired by X-Men comics, the webcomic explores themes such as sexuality, feminism and environmental issues.[25] Behrs released the book The Total Me-Tox: How to Ditch Your Diet, Move Your Body & Love Your Life in May 2017, in which she shares her personal journey towards health and happiness.[26] Beginning in 2018, Behrs starred as Gemma Johnson in the CBS sitcom The Neighborhood.[27]

Philanthropy[edit]

During her time in college, Behrs was a volunteer at Children of the Night, an organization that assists children who have been forced into prostitution.[28]

Behrs founded SheHerdPower Foundation, which pairs women with horses, to provide therapy to victims of sexual assault.[29]

Personal life[edit]

Behrs and actor Michael Gladis were engaged on July 10, 2016, after a six-year relationship.[30] They appeared in a short film together, The Argument, in 2012, for the comedy website Funny or Die.[31] On July 21, 2018, she married Gladis at Moose Creek Ranch in Victor, Idaho, just outside Jackson Hole. Behrs and Gladis have a daughter, Emma George Gladis, born in June 2022. While the date of birth was not revealed, Behrs announced the news in an Instagram post on June 13.[32][33]

Behrs is a fan of country music and has presented awards at the ACM, CMT and CMA Awards and appeared in Lady A's "Downtown" music video and became friends with them afterwards. In 2020, she began hosting Harmonics with Beth Behrs, a podcast where she interviews country and bluegrass singers and songwriters with guests including Glennon Doyle, Geeta Novotny, Mickey Guyton, Brandi Carlile, Tichina Arnold, Allison Russell and Mary Gauthier.[34]

Behrs began equine therapy in 2011 to help manage panic attacks and anxiety that she had experienced since she was a teenager.[35]

Filmography[edit]

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2009 American Pie Presents: The Book of Love Heidi Direct-to-video
2011 Adventures of Serial Buddies Brittany
2012 Route 30, Too! Alien girl
2013 So You Think You Can Prance Joanna Short film
2013 Monsters University PNK Carrie Voice role
2014 Judy Greer Is the Best Friend Sarah Short film
2015 Chasing Eagle Rock Deborah
2015 Hello, My Name Is Doris Brooklyn
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2010 NCIS: Los Angeles Female caroler Episode: "Disorder"
2011 Starf*ckers Cater waitress
2011 Castle Ginger Episode: "Slice of Death"
2011 Pretty Tough Regen Hulu series
2011–2023 The Talk Herself Guest and guest co-host; 9 episodes
2011–2017 2 Broke Girls Caroline Wesbox Channing Co-lead role, 138 episodes
Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Breakout Star: Female
Nominated – People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Gal Pals (with Kat Dennings)
2012–2023 Live with Kelly and Mark Herself Guest and guest co-host; 13 episodes
2014 40th People's Choice Awards Herself Host
2014–2023 Entertainment Tonight Herself Guest and guest co-host; 18 episodes
2015 Repeat After Me Herself 1 episode
2016 Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh Moochie Voice
2016 The Call Room Jeannie Voice
2018 Culture Clash Jenny Television film
2018 The Big Bang Theory Nell Episode: "The Separation Triangulation"
2018–present The Neighborhood Gemma Johnson Main role; 108 episodes

Nominated – Family Film Award for Outstanding Actor in a TV Series

2019 No Activity Sophie Beyers Episode: "Googy"
2020 Celebrity Family Feud Herself / Contestant Episode: "Cedric The Entertainer vs. Wayne Brady and The Hills: New Beginnings vs. Jersey Shore: Family Vacation"
Music videos
Year Title Artist Role
2013 "Downtown" Lady Antebellum Hillary's friend

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Beth Behrs Gives Birth to Baby Girl | Entertainment Tonight". June 13, 2022.
  2. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 9, 2018). "CBS Picks Up To Series Cedric the Entertainer's Pilot & Damon Wayans Jr.'s Comedy With Harry Styles Joining As EP". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  3. ^ "2 Broke Girls Cast: Beth Behrs". CBS. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  4. ^ Adams, Marv (June 5, 2011). "A star was born (here)". Lancaster Online. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  5. ^ Loughlin, Sue (October 26, 2007). "The Woods installs first male president". Tribune-Star. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Werts, Diane (September 9, 2011). "Behrs bears up to be a 'Broke' girl". Variety. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  7. ^ Gillis, Casey (May 22, 2012). "E.C. Glass's drama director to retire". The News & Advance. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c Crocker, Amy (December 30, 2009). "SFist Interviews: Beth Behrs, a Direct-to-DVD American Pie Sequel Actress from Marin". SFist. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Larson, Vicki (September 20, 2011). "Marin's Beth Behr is 1 lucky girl for role in '2 Broke Girls'". Marin Independent Journal. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  10. ^ a b c Mai, Denise (January 3, 2010). "Alumna makes film debut". Daily Bruin. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  11. ^ "In the Spotlight". Ray of Light Theatre. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c Storm, Jonathan (September 24, 2011). "Jonathan Storm: Advice on how not to be one broke girl". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on April 23, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  13. ^ Messeder, John (December 21, 2010). "'Route 30, Too!' filming ends". Gettysburg Times. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  14. ^ Lash, Jolie (September 19, 2011). "Rising Star: '2 Broke Girls' Actress Beth Behrs". Access Hollywood. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  15. ^ "Kat Dennings, Beth Behrs go for broke on '2 Broke Girls'". The Arizona Republic. Associated Press. September 15, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "CBS Renews 11 Returning Series". CBS Boston. March 28, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  17. ^ "'2 Broke Girls' Canceled at CBS After Six Seasons". The Hollywood Reporter. May 12, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  18. ^ "Pay TV: Thursday, April 11". The Sydney Morning Herald. April 8, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  19. ^ "ACM Awards 2013: Men of country dominate lineup". CBS News. April 7, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  20. ^ Rome, Emily (April 16, 2013). "Pixar's 'Monsters University': Nathan Fillion, more join voice cast". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  21. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 28, 2014). "Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs Star In Indie 'Hello, My Name Is Doris'". Deadline.com. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  22. ^ Beth Sings at People's Choice Awards 2014 | E! People's Choice Awards, retrieved February 23, 2024
  23. ^ McKnight, Jenni (January 9, 2014). "2 Broke Girls storm hosting duties". Metro. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  24. ^ Rooney, David (March 17, 2016). "Beth Behrs Sets New York Stage Debut in 'A Funny Thing ...'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  25. ^ Ong, Czarina Nicole (March 1, 2016). "'2 Broke Girls' Star Beth Behrs Launches Webcomic 'Dents'". Fashion & Style. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  26. ^ Abbey, Alison (April 28, 2017). "2 Broke Girls Star Beth Behrs On Her New Book, Her Journey to Wellness and Her Favorite Way to Get Her Greens". Parade. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  27. ^ "'We Have to Hear Each Other Out': Two TV Stars on Friendship and Race". The New York Times. August 28, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  28. ^ Heldenfels, Rich. "'2 Broke Girls' star was born in Lancaster". Erie Times-News. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  29. ^ Ross, Tracy (December 13, 2016). "How '2 Broke Girls' Star Beth Behrs Is Using Equine Therapy to Help Sexual Assault Victims". The Hollywood Reporter She is also best friends with co-star Kat Dennings in real life. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  30. ^ Johnson, Zach (July 11, 2016). "2 Broke Girls' Beth Behrs Engaged to Michael Gladis". E! News. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  31. ^ "The Argument with Beth Behrs & Michael Gladis". Funny or Die. September 24, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  32. ^ "'2 Broke Girls' Star Beth Behrs Marries 'Mad Men' Actor Michael Gladis -- See the Pics!". www.msn.com. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  33. ^ "'2 Broke Girls' Star Beth Behrs Marries Michael Gladis". Us Weekly. July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  34. ^ "Harmonics Archives".
  35. ^ "How '2 Broke Girls' Star Beth Behrs Is Using Equine Therapy to Help Sexual Assault Victims". The Hollywood Reporter. December 13, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2020.

External links[edit]