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Elizabeth Jean "Busy" Philipps (born June 25, 1979) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles on the television series Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000), Dawson's Creek (2001–2003), and ER (2006–2007), and for her portrayal of Laurie Keller on the ABC series Cougar Town (2009–2015), for which she received the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She has also appeared in supporting roles in numerous films, such as The Smokers (2000), Home Room (2002), White Chicks (2004), Made of Honor (2008), He's Just Not That Into You (2009), The Gift (2015), and I Feel Pretty (2018). From 2018 to 2019, Philipps hosted her own television talk show Busy Tonight, on E!. From 2021 to 2024, she starred on the Peacock / Netflix original series Girls5eva.

Early lifeEdit

Philipps was born in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.<ref name=tvg>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="heldman">Template:Cite news</ref> She received the nickname "Busy" as a child; sources conflict on whether the nickname came from her parents<ref name="observer interview">Template:Cite news</ref> or a babysitter named Susie.<ref name="Bio">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She said on her late-night talk show, Busy Tonight, that her mother gave her the nickname, but during her book tour said that her babysitter had given it to her. This was clarified on an episode of Comedy Bang! Bang! when she confirmed to host Scott Aukerman that it was her babysitter.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Philipps was raised in Scottsdale, Arizona,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> where she graduated from Chaparral High School.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Philipps attended Loyola Marymount University at the same time as Colin Hanks and Freaks and Geeks costar Linda Cardellini. She then dated Hanks for several years, after they left school.<ref name="heldman" /><ref name="soriano">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="kaufman" />

CareerEdit

While still in high school, Philipps worked at toy trade fairs as a real-life Barbie, her sister Cool Teen Skipper.<ref name="Bio"/> Among the many people who saw her at toy conventions was actress Sharon Stone, who was impressed with her performance and told Philipps that she would be a star.<ref name="observer interview" />

Her first major role was Kim Kelly in the 1999–2000 comedy-drama TV series Freaks and Geeks; Philipps appeared in all but one of the show's 18 episodes (the episode "Chokin' & Tokin'").<ref name="heldman"/><ref name="kaufman">Template:Cite news</ref> She made her film debut in the comedy The Smokers in 2000, and had various small appearances on television.

In 2001, Philipps was cast as Audrey Liddell in the teen drama Dawson's Creek.<ref name="heldman"/><ref name="otoole">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Philipps appeared in several films, including Home Room (2002) and White Chicks (2004). She was cast in the UPN sitcom Love, Inc. in a role originally intended for Shannen Doherty.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The show lasted one season (2005–2006). In 2006, she had a major recurring role as Hope Bobeck on ER, alongside her Freaks and Geeks co-star Linda Cardellini.<ref name="heldman"/><ref name="otoole"/> During her second year on ER, her character was written out as heading to South America to "fulfill her Christian mission".<ref name="bye">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Philipps had a co-credit for the storyline of the 2007 comedy film Blades of Glory.<ref name="heldman"/><ref name="otoole"/><ref name=halterman>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A year later, she appeared in a supporting role in Made of Honor.<ref name="heldman"/>

She made appearances in He's Just Not That Into You as Kelli Ann<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and on an episode of How I Met Your Mother.

From 2009 to 2015, Philipps portrayed Laurie Keller in the television series Cougar Town.<ref name="otoole"/> She routinely contributed to the Thrilling Adventure Hour, a live stage radio show.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Her primary recurring character was the Red Plains Rider.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On a 2010 appearance on Chelsea Lately, Philipps said that she auditioned for the hit television show Glee just one week after giving birth, following a pregnancy during which she gained 80 pounds.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref>

Philipps starred on the HBO series Vice Principals (2016–2017).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2017, she signed on as co-lead opposite Casey Wilson in Tina Fey's comedy pilot The Sackett Sisters for NBC, but it was not picked up.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2018 and 2019, Philipps played Sheba Goodman in season 4 of Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

She had a late-night talk show called Busy Tonight, which aired on E! from October 28, 2018, to May 16, 2019.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> It was cancelled the same day Philipps was nominated for a 2019 Critics Choice Award.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In August 2020 she began hosting a podcast, Busy Philipps is Doing Her Best, along with former Busy Tonight writers Caissie St. Onge and Shantira Jackson.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In October 2020 it was announced that she had joined the main cast of Peacock's Girls5eva, a musical comedy about a female pop group that reunites 20 years after it flamed out. In its third season the show, created by Meredith Scardino, shifted to Netflix.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In February 28, 2023, Philipps was announced as Mrs. George in the 2024 film adaptation of the musical Mean Girls, based on the 2018 Broadway musical.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

BookEdit

Philipps's memoir, This Will Only Hurt a Little, was released October 18, 2018.<ref name="memoirs">Template:Cite book</ref> It includes a passage where she describes a physical altercation she had with James Franco on the set of Freaks and Geeks. She said she was "bummed" by the amount of attention drawn to just this incident in the book, saying the story was not new, and that she meant it "to illustrate a larger point about the way women are treated in this business and in life."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Personal lifeEdit

Philipps married screenwriter Marc Silverstein on June 16, 2007.<ref name="heldman"/><ref name="otoole"/> They have two daughters: Birdie Leigh, born in 2008, and Cricket Pearl, born in 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They separated in February 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Philipps has ADHD.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Political viewsEdit

After the Alabama Legislature's May 14, 2019, passage of House Bill 314 (also known as the "Human Life Protection Act"), Philipps advocated that women speak out if they had had abortions. On May 14, she invoked the hashtag #YouKnowMe (established on February 18) to her 370,000 followers on Twitter, with her call for testimonies:<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> "1 in 4 women have had an abortion. Many people think they don't know someone who has, but #youknowme. So let's do this: if you are also the 1 in 4, let's share it and start to end the shame. Use #youknowme and share your truth."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The previous week she revealed on her Busy Tonight TV show that she had an abortion at age 15.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On June 4, 2019, Philipps gave a testimonial before the House Judiciary Committee defending women's right to access more abortion clinics.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> She spoke of her own experience with abortion: "I am a human being that deserves autonomy in this country that calls itself free, and choices that a human being makes about their own bodies should not be legislated by strangers who can't possibly know or understand each individual's circumstances or beliefs."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

FilmographyEdit

FilmEdit

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Template:Sortname Karen Carter
2002 Home Room Alicia Browning
2004 Mummy an' the Armadillo Carol Ann
White Chicks Karen Googlestein
2005 Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story Additional Voices (voice)
2008 Made of Honor Melissa
2009 He's Just Not That Into You Kelli Ann
2010 Revolution Emily Short film
2011 I Don't Know How She Does It Wendy Best
2012 The Reef 2: High Tide Cordelia (voice)
Made in Cleveland Shannon
2013 A Case of You Ashley
2014 Jason Nash is Married Busy Philipps
2015 The Gift Duffy
2016 FML Amanda
2018 I Feel Pretty Jane
2022 DC League of Super-Pets Foofy Dog (voice)
2024 Mean Girls Mrs. George

TelevisionEdit

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Saving Graces Mindy TV series
1999–2000 Freaks and Geeks Kim Kelly 18 episodes
2000 Malcolm in the Middle Meghan Episode: "High School Play"
2001 Anatomy of a Hate Crime Chasity Pasley Television film
Spring Break Lawyer Jenny
Dead Last Tracy Sallback Episode: "Death Is in the Air"
2001–2003 Dawson's Creek Audrey Liddell Main role (season 6); recurring (season 5)
2002 Undeclared Kelly 2 episodes
2003 Criminology 101 Polly Television film
2004 Foster Hall Peg Hall
2005 Life As We Know It Alex Morrill 2 episodes
Testing Bob Madison 'Maddie' West Television film
Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! Korlianne (voice) Episode: "Girl Trouble"
2005–2006 Love, Inc. Denise Johnson 22 episodes
2005, 2018 American Dad! Dana / Blanch (voices) 2 episodes
2006–2007 ER Dr. Hope Bobeck 19 episodes
2007 Entourage Cheryl Episode: "Dog Day Afternoon"
How I Met Your Mother Rachel Episode: "Third Wheel"
2008–2009 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Kacy Corbin 5 episodes
2009 Kath & Kim Whitney Episode: "Competition"
2009–2015 Cougar Town Laurie Keller Main role
2011 Community Greendale Team Member Episode: "For a Few Paintballs More"
Fish Hooks Clamanda (voice) Episode: "We've Got Fish Spirits"
2012 Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 Herself Episode: "A Reunion..."
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Episode: "RuPaul's Gaff In"
2013 Arrested Development Joan Episode: "Borderline Personalities"
2014 Garfunkel and Oates Karen 2 episodes
2014–2018 Drunk History Various 3 episodes
2015 Bottom's Butte Beverly Bottom (voice) Episode: "Pilot
2016 New Girl Connie Episode: "300 Feet"
Angie Tribeca Courtney Woodpatch-Newton Episode: "Miso Dead"
Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ Cate Kates Episode: "Spiritual Gurus"
2016–2017 Vice Principals Gale Liptrapp Main role
2017 The Odd Couple Natasha Episode: "Should She Stay or Should She Go?"
Chopped Junior Herself (guest judge) Episode: "Curry Hurry"
The Sackett Sisters Mandy Sackett Episode: "Pilot"
Beat Bobby Flay Herself (guest judge) Episode: "Tame the Flame"
2018 Camping<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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Allison Episode: "Up All Night"
2018–2019 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Sheba Goodman 2 episodes
Busy Tonight Herself Main role; also executive producer
2019 Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show Episode: "Full House But Black"
2021 Search Party Donna Episode: "Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jig"
2021–2024 Girls5eva Summer Dutkowsky Main role
2023 With Love Amanda Episode: "Lily's Double Quinceañera"
Single Drunk Female Darby 3 episodes

Awards and nominationsEdit

Year Award Work Category Result
2003 Teen Choice Awards Dawson's Creek Choice TV: Sidekick Template:Nominated
2010 Entertainment Weekly Cougar Town Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Template:Won<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2011 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Template:WonTemplate:Citation needed
Gold Derby Awards Comedy Supporting Actress Template:Nominated

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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