Linda Cardellini

Born in June of 1975 in Redwood, CA, Cardellini became fascinated with acting when asked to sing in a school play at the age of ten. Soon dedicating all of her spare time to stage productions and acting classes during her tenure at Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, CA, the young actress received her first television role when she was cast as a student at the ominously named Edgar Allen Poe High School in the creepy kids show Bone Chillers (1996). Feature roles followed shortly thereafter, with Cardellini appearing in such films as Good Burger the following year, and alongside future Freaks and Geeks cast mate (and future love interest) Jason Segel in Dead Man on Campus (1998). Later turning up as a teen tormented by a sadistic Dee Snyder in StrangeLand, Cardellini appeared in small roles in a few other small-screen productions before finding herself in the studious but free-thinking shoes of her Freaks and Geeks alter-ego. Examining the flip side of the Beverly Hills 90210 beautiful and privileged teen set, the smart show had a solid cast, insightful writing, and a dedicated following. Unfortunately, it was canceled after less than 20 episodes. Following with supporting roles in The Prince and the Surfer (1999), Legally Blonde, and The Unsaid (both 2001), Cardellini's rising popularity contributed to her largest feature, that of the brainy super sleuth Velma in the live-action adaptation of the beloved animated mainstay Scooby-Doo. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide