Despite her Hollywood pedigree, actress Emily Deschanel toiled in thankless small roles and walk-on feature parts before finally making a name for herself. Though her dad, Caleb Deschanel, was a renowned cinematographer whose stunning work on “The Right Stuff” (1983) and “The Natural” (1984) earned him Academy Award nominations, Deschanel had won her celebrity the hard way by the time she played the surly, sharp-tongued forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan on “Bones” (Fox, 2005 -). Even then, career stability was not assured. But the show, which proved to be a solid ratings performer for Fox, allowed Deschanel to display her considerable chops alongside co-star David Boreanaz with whom she shared a much-ballyhooed chemistry—a happy accident that changed a standard cop drama into a witty, character-driven procedural.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Deschanel was raised in a show business family. Aside from her cinematographer dad, her mom, Mary Jo, was an actress, and younger sis Zooey made a name for herself starred in such films as “The Good Girl” (2002) and “Elf” (2003). Daschanel got her first taste of acting as a paint throwing fur activist in “It Could Happen to You” (1994), a romantic comedy starring Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda on which her father was director of photography. After earning her degree in theater from Boston University, Deschanel began acting in earnest, starting with a small role as a psychic with the power of “touch-know” in Stephen King’s insipid supernatural drama, “Rose Red” (ABC, 2002). She then appeared with more frequency on episodic television, including small parts on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 1999- ), “Providence” (NBC, 1998-2003) and “Crossing Jordan” (2001- ).
Deschanel soon segued into features, first appearing in “Easy” (2003), a romantic comedy in which she played the sister of a neurotic woman (Marguerite Moreau) whose string of dating jerks keeps her away from true intimacy. After bit parts in “Cold Mountain” (2003), “Spider-Man 2” (2004) and “The Alamo” (2004), Deschanel played the childhood friend of a seemingly normal, 20-something guy (Barry Watson) who’s stricken with a paralyzing fear in the run-of-the-mill horror flick, “The Boogeyman” (2005). Things began going Deschanel’s way when she was cast in “Bones,” adapted from forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs’ crime novels based on her experiences in the field. On the show, Deschanel played the reclusive and often belittling scientist who’s called upon to solve crimes based on evidence from damaged human remains with wit and edge. Thanks to sharp performances and a crackling repartee between Deschanel and Boreanaz, “Bones” became a hit. Meanwhile, she starred in “Glory Road” (2006), a true-life telling of the 1966 Texas Western Miners who made NCAA history thanks to their charismatic coach (Josh Lucas), whose will to win with heart, determination and self-respect helped break down racial barriers.