Hawaiian born but raised in Reno, Nevada, Shannyn Sossamon left her hometown the day after graduating high school for Los Angeles to pursue dance. Shortly thereafter, and while filling in as a DJ for a friend at party, she was spotted by casting director Francine Maisler - who introduced her to Brian Helgeland and for his film A Knight's Tale. Determined for the lead role and a handful of auditions later, Sossamon was decidedly set as portraying the beautiful 'Lady Jocelyn' and starring next to Heath Ledger.

Most recently, she completed filming the independent film Wristcutters: A Love Storyabout three persons journey in an afterlife for suicide victims - 'Mikal' (Sossamon), a beautiful hitchhiker, who is searching for the people in charge, as she only "accidentally" overdosed, meets 'Zia' (Patrick Fugit) and together they explore this strange afterlife. also co-stars Tom Waits.

In 2002 she starred in 40 Days and 40 Nights opposite Josh Hartnett, and The Rules of Attraction for director Roger Avary. In 2003 Sossamon reunited with Ledger in The Order for director Brian Helgeland. Other credits include Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Chasing Ghosts and Undiscovered among others.



Born in Hawaii but grew up in Nevada. 5/29/03: Gave birth to her first son, Audio Science Clayton. 2002: Was featured as #33 in Maxim Magazine's "Hot 100 of 2002" supplement. Is of French, Dutch, English, Irish, Hawaiian/Filipino and German descent; her maternal Grandmother is Hawaiian-Filipino, and her maternal Grandfather is English-German. Served on on the Feature Jury at the 2010 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.