Editing Jessica Capshaw

{{short description|American actress}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Jessica Capshaw
| caption            = 
| birth_name         = Jessica Brooke Capshaw 
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1976|8|9}} 
| birth_place        = [[Columbia, Missouri]], U.S.
| alma mater         = [[Brown University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actress|activist|entrepreneur}}
| years_active       = 1996–present
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[Christopher Gavigan]]|2004}}
| children           = 4
| mother             = [[Kate Capshaw]]
| father             = Robert Capshaw
| relatives          = [[Steven Spielberg]] (stepfather)<br>[[Sasha Spielberg]] (half-sister)<br>[[Sawyer Spielberg]] (half-brother)<br>[[Destry Spielberg]] (half-sister)
}}

'''Jessica Brooke Capshaw'''<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/648702010/?match=1&clipping_id=143581354 "Obituaries: Edwin Nail"]. ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram''. December 29, 1998. p.&nbsp;23. Retrieved March 17, 2024. "Survivors: Wife, Nita Nail of Hurst; sons, David Leon Nail and Jeffrey Howard Wunderle, both of Los Angeles, Calif.; daughters, Kate Capshaw Spielberg and Carrie Elizabeth Wunderle, both of Los Angeles, and Kelly Lynn Fehlberg of Racine, Wis.; father Myron Hooper Nail of Waggoner, Ill.; and grandchildren, '''Jessica Brooke Capshaw''', Max Samuel Spielberg ..."</ref> (born August 9, 1976)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Almanac: Today's Birthdays|author=|date=August 9, 2023|work=Dubuque Telegraph-Herald|page=45|quote=Actor Liz Vassey is 51. Actor Kevin McKidd is 50. Actor Rhona Mitra (ROH'-nuh MEE'-truh) is 48. Actor Texas Battle is 47. '''Actor Jessica Capshaw is 47'''. Actor Ashley Johnson is 40. Actor Anna Kendrick is 38.|id={{ProQuest|2847986257}}}}  See also:
*{{Cite news|title=Almanac: Today's Birthdays|author=|date=August 9, 2013|work=Dubuque Telegraph-Herald|page=A2|quote=Actress Liz Vassey is 41. Actor Kevin McKidd is 40. Actress Rhona Mitra (ROH'-nuh MEE'-truh) is 38. Actor Texas Battle is 37. '''Actress Jessica Capshaw is 37.''' Actress Ashley Johnson is 30. Actress Anna Kendrick is 28|id={{ProQuest|1418864835}}}}</ref> is an American actress known for her roles as Jamie Stringer on the ABC legal drama series ''[[The Practice]]'', and as [[Arizona Robbins| Dr. Arizona Robbins]] on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] [[medical drama]] ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]''.

==Early life==
Capshaw was born in [[Columbia, Missouri]].<ref name=bw/> She is the stepdaughter of director [[Steven Spielberg]], whom her mother, [[Kate Capshaw]], married when Capshaw was 15.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[CNN]]|title=Steven Spielberg Fast Facts|url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/01/21/us/steven-spielberg-fast-facts/index.html|date=March 19, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181031210044/https://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/21/us/steven-spielberg-fast-facts/index.html|archive-date=October 31, 2018|access-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Capshaw graduated from [[Harvard-Westlake School]] in [[Los Angeles]] in 1994, then attended [[Brown University]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brownalumnimagazine.com/content/view/940/40/ |title=Reunion Report 1998 |publisher=Brown Alumni Magazine |date=July–August 2003}}</ref> where she was in productions of ''[[Arcadia (play)|Arcadia]]'' and ''[[Cat on a Hot Tin Roof]]''.<ref name=bw/> She graduated in 1998 with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in English literature.<ref name=bw>{{cite web|work=Broadway World|publisher=Wisdom Digital Media|title=Jessica Capshaw Biography|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/bio/Jessica-Capshaw/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20181031210303/https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/bio/Jessica-Capshaw/|archive-date=October 31, 2018|access-date=October 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> During summers, she attended classes at the [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts|Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA)]] in London,<ref name="ABC">{{cite web|title=Character Bios|url=http://abc.go.com/shows/greys-anatomy/bio/jessica-capshaw/290412|url-status=deviated|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131161308/http://abc.go.com/shows/greys-anatomy/bio/jessica-capshaw/290412|archive-date=January 31, 2012|publisher=ABC.com}}</ref> where she appeared as [[Puck (A Midsummer Night's Dream)|Puck]] in a production of ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream]]''.<ref name=bw/>

==Career==
Capshaw had a minor role as [[Jeremy Davies]]' potential love interest in ''[[The Locusts (film)|The Locusts]]'' (1997), which starred her mother, then appeared in [[Adam Rifkin]]'s independent film ''[[Denial (1998 film)|Denial]]'' (1998).<ref name=bw/> She played Dorothy Wheeler in the slasher film ''[[Valentine (film)|Valentine]]'' (2001), had a minor role in ''[[Minority Report (film)|Minority Report]]'' (2002), then a lead role in [[Edward Burns]]'s ''[[The Groomsmen]]'' (2006).<ref name=bw/>

In 2009, Capshaw became a regular on the medical drama ''Grey's Anatomy''. It was announced in December 2008 that she would join the cast as pediatric surgeon Arizona Robbins for a multi-episode arc.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2008/12/03/greys-anatomy-e-2/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712193028/http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2008/12/03/greys-anatomy-e-2/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |title='Grey's Anatomy' Exclusive: Eric Stoltz lands killer role |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=December 3, 2008 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Time Inc]] |access-date=August 19, 2009 }}</ref> Initially scheduled to appear in only three episodes of the show's [[Grey's Anatomy (season 5)|fifth season]], series creator [[Shonda Rhimes]] extended her contract to appear in all of the season's remaining episodes,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/02/26/greys-exclusi-1-3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928090138/http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/02/26/greys-exclusi-1-3/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 28, 2009 |title='Grey's' exclusive: Jessica Capshaw inks contract! |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=February 26, 2009 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Time Inc]] |access-date=August 19, 2009 }}</ref> and she became a series regular in the [[Grey's Anatomy (season 6)|sixth season]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/06/17/exclusive-greys-anatomy-promotes-jessica-capshaw/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806051802/http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/06/17/exclusive-greys-anatomy-promotes-jessica-capshaw/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 6, 2009 |title=Exclusive: 'Grey's Anatomy' promotes Jessica Capshaw |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=June 17, 2009 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Time Inc]] |access-date=August 19, 2009 }}</ref>

Capshaw was established as a love interest for [[orthopedic surgery]] [[Residency (medicine)|resident]] [[Callie Torres]] ([[Sara Ramirez]]). Rhimes was pleased with the chemistry between them, saying that the addition of Capshaw to the cast was an element of the season of which she was most proud: "I love Jessica Capshaw, and when I say love I mean love. She couldn't be a more wonderful person, and I feel like the chemistry Arizona and Callie have feels like the Meredith and Derek chemistry to me. I find them delightful to watch."<ref name=prom>{{cite web|last=Marsi|first=Steve|title=Jessica Capshaw Promoted to Full Time Cast Member|url=http://www.tvfanatic.com/2009/06/jessica-capshaw-promoted-to-full-time-cast-member/|work=TV Fanatic|date=June 17, 2009 |publisher=SheKnows Entertainment|access-date=May 12, 2012}}</ref> Initial media reaction was positive. Matt Mitovich of ''[[TV Guide]]'' called Capshaw a "fan favorite", and Chris Monfette of [[IGN]] praised the addition of "fresh, new characters" such as Robbins over the course of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/ABC-Heigl-staying-1007116.aspx|title=ABC Makes It Official: Heigl Is Staying on Grey's |last=Mitovich|first=Matt|date=June 19, 2009|work=[[TV Guide]]|access-date=August 19, 2009}}</ref><ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/988/988165p1.html|title=Grey's Anatomy: Season 5 Review |last=Monfette|first=Chris|website=[[IGN]]|date=May 29, 2009|access-date=August 19, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Ausiello">{{cite magazine|url=http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/05/15/exclusive-greys/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806005725/http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/05/15/exclusive-greys/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 6, 2009 |title=Exclusive: 'Grey's' boss on finale's Izzie-George shocker, Mer-Der 'wedding,' and more! |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=May 15, 2009 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=August 19, 2009 }}</ref>

In March 2018, Capshaw left ''Grey’s Anatomy'', with the producers citing creative reasons.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/greys-anatomy-jessica-capshaw-sarah-drew-exit-abc-medical-drama-1202316987/|title='Grey's Anatomy' Shocker: Jessica Capshaw & Sarah Drew To Exit ABC Medical Drama After Season 14|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=March 8, 2018|work=Deadline|access-date=March 16, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> She posted a statement on Twitter highlighting her character's significance: "She was one of the first members of the LGBTQ community to be represented in a series regular role on network television. Her impact on the world is permanent and forever."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JessicaCapshaw/status/971820968396992512|title=For the past ten years...|last=@JessicaCapshaw|date=March 8, 2018|website=Twitter|access-date=March 8, 2018}}</ref>

In April 2025, Capshaw was announced to be joining the main cast of the  [[9-1-1 (franchise)|''9-1-1'']] offshoot [[9-1-1: Nashville|''9-1-1 Nashville'']]. The series will premiere during the 2025 fall season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=2025-04-15 |title=Jessica Capshaw Joins Ryan Murphy’s ‘9-1-1: Nashville’ |url=https://deadline.com/2025/04/jessica-capshaw-abc-9-1-1-nashville-cast-1236369020/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Capshaw married [[Christopher Gavigan]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.us.penguingroup.com/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,1000072019,00.html|title=Christopher Gavigan|publisher=Penguin.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427050007/http://www.us.penguingroup.com/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,1000072019,00.html |archive-date=April 27, 2013}}</ref> The couple has four children.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://people.com/parents/jessica-capshaw-welcomes-daughter-josephine-kate/ |title=Jessica Capshaw Welcomes Fourth Child. Daughter Josephine Kate|last=Park |first=Andrea |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=May 9, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jessica Capshaw's 4 Children: All About Luke, Eve, Poppy and Josephine |url=https://people.com/all-about-jessica-capshaw-kids-7501893 |website=Peoplemag |access-date=20 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1997
|''[[The Locusts (film)|The Locusts]]''
|Patsy
|
|-
|1998
|''[[Denial (1998 film)|Denial]]''
|Marcia
|
|-
|1999
|''[[The Love Letter (1999 film)|The Love Letter]]''
|Kelly
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |2000
|''Killing Cinderella''
|Beth
|
|-
|''Big Time''
|Claire
|Short film
|-
|2001
|''[[Valentine (film)|Valentine]]''
|Dorothy Wheeler
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |2002
|''The Mesmerist''
|Daisy Valdemar
|
|-
|''[[Minority Report (film)|Minority Report]]''
|Evanna
|
|-
|2003
|''[[View from the Top]]''
|Royalty International Flight Attendant
|Uncredited
|-
|2006
|''[[The Groomsmen]]''
|Jen
|
|-
|2007
|''Blind Trust''
|Cassie Stewart
|
|-
|2014
|''[[The Hero of Color City]]''
|Duck
|
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Holidate]]''
| Abby Benson
| 
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Dear Zoe (film)|Dear Zoe]]''
| Elly Gladstone
| 
|-
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1999
|''[[ER (TV Series)|ER]]''
|Sally McKenna
|1 episode: "Rites of Spring"
|-
|1999–2000
|''[[Odd Man Out (American TV series)|Odd Man Out]]''
|Aunt Jordan
|Main cast<br>13 episodes
|-
|2001
|''The Back Page''
|
|TV movie
|-
|2002–2004
|''[[The Practice]]''
|Jamie Stringer
|Main cast<br>Seasons 7 & 8; 42 episodes
|-
| rowspan="2" |2005
|''[[How I Met Your Mother]]''
|uncredited
|1 episode: “Okay Awesome”
|-
|''[[Into the West (miniseries)|Into the West]]''
|Rachel Wheeler
|1 episode: "Manifest Destiny"
|-
| rowspan="2" |2006
|''Thick and Thin''
|Mary
|Unaired
|-
|''[[Bones (TV series)|Bones]]''
|Rebecca Stinson
|2 episodes: "Mother and Child in the Bay", "The Truth in the Lye"
|-
|2007
|''[[The L Word]]''
|Nadia Karella
|3 episodes: "Livin' La Vida Loca", "Lassoed", "Layup"
|-
|2009
|''[[Head Case]]''
|
|1 episode: "Tying the Not"
|-
|2009–2018; 2024
|''[[Grey's Anatomy]]''
|Dr. [[Arizona Robbins]]
|Recurring (Season 5)<br>Main Cast (Seasons 6–14)<br> Guest star (Season 20); 214 episodes
|-
|2010
|''One Angry Juror''
|Sarah Walsh
|TV movie
|-

|2022
|''[[Tell Me Lies (TV series)|Tell Me Lies]]''
|CJ Albright
|
|-
|2025
|[[9-1-1: Nashville|''9-1-1 Nashville'']]
|Blythe Sharpe
|Fall 2025
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0004800}}
* {{Twitter}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Capshaw, Jessica}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1976 births]]
[[Category:Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:Brown University alumni]]
[[Category:Actresses from California]]
[[Category:Harvard-Westlake School alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:Actors from Columbia, Missouri]]
[[Category:Actresses from Missouri]]