Hilarie Ross Burton was born and raised in Sterling Park, Virginia. She is the oldest of four children and describes her family as tight-knit. Hilarie developed a passion for acting early in life. Shortly after moving to New York to go to school and pursuing her acting dream, she landed the coveted job of VJ at MTV. She won a guest spot interviewing on the red carpet for MTV and did so well she ended up with a job. She guest starred as a VJ on one episode of "Dawson's Creek". Soon after, she got the role that started her Hollywood fame as Peyton Sawyer on "One Tree Hill". While working on "One Tree Hill" she's done movies such as "Our Very Own" (2005), "The List" (2007), "Normal Adolescent Behavior" (2007), and "Solstice" (2007) with her One Tree Hill co-star Elisabeth Harnois.
Was not allowed to watch MTV growing up. Attended New York University. Attended Fordham University at Lincoln Center. Appeared on cover of the Jan/Feb 2004 issue of American Cheerleader magazine. Shares a birthday with Liv Tyler, Pamela Anderson, Claire Forlani and Dan Aykroyd. She is the oldest of four children. She has three younger brothers-Billy, Johnny, and Conrad - whom she nicknamed Billy Awesome, Jonny Kickass, and C-Rock. Her dad, Bill, is an antique collector and her mom, Lisa, is a real estate agent. Her favorite musicians are: Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Elvis Costello, David Bowie, and Elvis Presley.. Her favorite movies are: Funny Lady and Coal Miner's Daughter. Her favorite TV show is Freaks and Geeks (Hilarie travels with the DVD boxed set). Her favorite book is "Dandelion Wine" by Ray Bradbury. Her favorite store is Wal-Mart. Her hobbies are collecting antiques, knitting, and crocheting. She has a cat named Poe. (Named after writer Edgar Allan Poe). According to Teen People magazine, her worst vice is cussing. Hilarie and two of her "One Tree Hill" co-stars were on "Dawson's Creek" with her; Chad Michael Murray (who plays Lucas Scott) and Lee Norris (who plays Mouth McFadden). Appears in the Jack's Mannequin video "The Mixed Tape" Ranked #77 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list. Once having gotten her role on One Tree Hill in North Carolina, she worked Monday through Thursday, and then returned every Friday back to New York to work on MTV. Bought a Gold 1986 Mercedes in March 2004.