Busy Philipps

Elizabeth Jean "Busy" Philipps is an American actress, television host, and writer. She is best known for her prominent television roles, including Kim Kelly on Freaks and Geeks, Audrey Liddell on Dawson's Creek, Hope Bobeck on ER, and Laurie Keller on the sitcom Cougar Town. Her performance in Cougar Town earned her a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Philipps was born on June 25, 1979, in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Her childhood nickname, "Busy," was given to her by her babysitter. She was raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she graduated from Chaparral High School. She later attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, though she did not complete her degree program. While still in high school, Philipps worked at toy trade fairs performing as a real-life Barbie and her sister Cool Teen Skipper.

Her acting career began with her breakthrough role as Kim Kelly on the comedy-drama series Freaks and Geeks from 1999 to 2000. She made her feature film debut in the 2000 comedy The Smokers and joined the main cast of the teen drama Dawson's Creek in 2001. Philipps continued to work steadily in television throughout the 2000s, landing a starring role on Love, Inc. and a recurring role as Hope Bobeck on ER. She also appeared in five episodes of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles between 2008 and 2009.

From 2009 to 2015, Philipps portrayed Laurie Keller in the comedy series Cougar Town, which aired on ABC and TBS. Alongside her television work, she appeared in supporting roles in numerous feature films, including Home Room, White Chicks, Made of Honor, He's Just Not That Into You, The Gift, and I Feel Pretty. Additionally, she earned a co-credit for the storyline of the 2007 comedy film Blades of Glory.

Philipps expanded into hosting with her late-night talk show Busy Tonight, which aired on E! from 2018 to 2019. In 2020, she co-launched the podcast Busy Philipps is Doing Her Best. She later starred as a main cast member on the musical comedy series Girls5eva from 2021 to 2024, which originally debuted on Peacock before moving to Netflix. Her later screen projects include a role in the 2024 film adaptation of Mean Girls and hosting the talk and shopping show Busy This Week on QVC+/HSN+.

Throughout her career, Philipps has participated in live performances and literary work. She routinely contributed to the live stage radio show Thrilling Adventure Hour, portraying the Red Plains Rider. In October 2018, she published her memoir, This Will Only Hurt a Little. Philipps has also engaged in public advocacy, launching the #YouKnowMe hashtag campaign on social media in 2019 and testifying before the House Judiciary Committee regarding women's reproductive rights.

Philipps married screenwriter Marc Silverstein in 2007, and the couple had two daughters before separating in February 2021. She has been diagnosed with ADHD. In 2026, Philipps shared that she was diagnosed with and treated for a brain tumor known as oligodendroglioma, which required surgical procedures and extended medical care.