Rashida Jones
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| Rashida Jones | |
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| Birth name | Rashida Leah Jones |
| Born | February 25, 1976 (age 30) Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Notable roles | Edie Miller on the British television series NY-LON Louisa Fenn on Boston Public Karen Filippelli on The Office. |
Rashida Leah Jones (born February 25, 1976, in Los Angeles, California) is an American actress, writer, model, and musician, best known for her portrayals of Edie Miller on the British television series NY-LON, Louisa Fenn on Boston Public., and Karen Filippelli on The Office.
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[edit] Early life
Rashida Jones is the youngest daughter of actress Peggy Lipton from her marriage to music legend Quincy Jones. Her name "Rashida" comes from Arabic, meaning "wise". Raised in Bel Air, California, she was educated at the Buckley School where she achieved academic distinction. When she was 10 years old, her parents divorced and Rashida lived with her mother until she left to attend Harvard. There she became involved in theatre. She garnered praise and respect with a witty, vehement open letter in response to scathing remarks made by Tupac Shakur about her parents' "mixed marriage". She later befriended Shakur, who became engaged to her sister. She studied religion and philosophy at Harvard and graduated in 1997. She is the younger sister of Kidada Jones and Quincy Jones III.
[edit] Career
[edit] Acting
While it initially started off as a hobby, in 1998 Rashida began her acting career in earnest, appearing in The Last Don. Rashida appeared in Myth America, East of A, and If These Walls Could Talk II.
She eventually landed the role of Louisa Fenn on Boston Public, which earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination. Though she only had a minor supporting role in the series, other opportunities quickly surfaced. She veered away from career choices that would stereotype her as another pretty face, and sought out well-developed characters, often in independent films as well as on the stage.
She has starred in several motion pictures, including Little Black Book, Death of a Dynasty, and Now You Know.
A versatile entertainer, she played every role from school bully (Freaks & Geeks) to defeatist fiancée (Now You Know).
She also played special government agent Carmen Merced on the TNT show Wanted.
She joined the cast of The Office in September 2006 when it began its third season.
[edit] Singer
Rashida sang backup on Maroon 5's hit record, Songs About Jane.
She also appears as a singing guest on Tupac Shakur's tribute album The Rose That Grew From Concrete, on the track Starry Night, which was accompanied by Rashida's father Quincy Jones' vocals, Mac Mall's rapping, and her stepbrother QD3's production.
[edit] Writer
Rashida is also a writer, and her work has appeared in Teen Vogue.
[edit] Model
Rashida has modelled for major clothing labels. Among them are Triple 5 Soul and The Gap. She has also appeared in editorials for magazines such as In Style and O Magazine.
[edit] Awards
In 2002 Rashida was chosen as one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People," as well as one of Harper's Bazaar's "Best Dressed Women In America."
She was nominated for an NAACP Image Award.
She also contributed to the Grammy Award winning audio version of Q: The Autobiography Of Quincy Jones.
[edit] Philanthropic efforts
Rashida Jones has worked to promote Peace Games, which teaches children to resolve conflict without violence. [1]
[edit] Filmography
- The Office (2006) - Karen Filippelli
- Wanted (2005) - Carmen Merced
- NY-LON (2004) - Edie Miller
- Little Black Book (2004) - Dr. Rachel Keyes
- Death of a Dynasty (2003) - Layna Hudson
- Now You Know (2002) - Kerri
- Full Frontal (2002)
- Roadside Assistance (2001) - Luci
- Boston Public (2000-02) Louisa Fenn
- If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000) - Feminist
- East of A (2000) - Emily
- Myth America (1998)
- The Last Don (1997) (mini) - Johanna
[edit] TV Guest Appearances
- Stella (2005) - "Karen" in episode: "Pilot" (episode # 1.1)
- Chappelle's Show (2004) - "Woman in 'Love Contract'" (episode # 2.4)
- Chappelle's Show (2003) - "Pam" (episode # 1.5)
- Freaks and Geeks (2000) - "Karen Scarfolli" in episode: "Kim Kelly Is My Friend" (episode # 1.4)
[edit] External links
- Rashida Jones at the Internet Movie Database
- Rashida Jones Online - unofficial fansite
- Rashida Online Blog - official blog of the unofficial fansite
- Wanted - Official site for the show
