Emily Deschanel

About Emily Deschanel

Emily Erin Deschanel (born October 11, 1976) is an American actress, perhaps best known for her starring role on the television series Bones.

Deschanel was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Academy Award-nominated cinematographer and director Caleb Deschanel and actress Mary Jo Deschanel (née Weir). She is of Irish and French ancestry (her surname means "from the channels" in French). She has one sister, Zooey Deschanel, also an actress.

Emily is a vegan and a committed supporter of animal rights causes. She and her close friend, Melanie Lynskey, are members of PETA. Emily graduated from Boston University's Professional Actors Training Program with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater.