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. Was with her friend, who deejayed for Gwyneth Paltrow and Jake Paltrow's joint birthday party in Hollywood, when discovered by Brian Helgeland, director of A Knight's Tale. Was in three commercials before being in the movies. 5/29/03: Gave birth to her first son, Audio Science Clayton. 2002: Ranked #55 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women In The World". An accomplished DJ, will often be spinning several nights a week in LA when not working on a movie. She joins several other famous actors as celebrity guest DJs including Elijah Wood who spins occasionally in New York. 2002: Was featured as #33 in Maxim Magazine's "Hot 100 of 2002" supplement. Beat out Kate Hudson for the role of Lady Jocelyn in A Knight's Tale. Is of French, Hawaiian, Dutch, English, Irish, Filipino and German descent; her maternal grandmother is Hawaiian-Filipino, and her maternal grandfather is English-German. 1995: As an adolescent, she added the "y" in her first name. Ethnicity: Chinese, Hawaiian and half English making her Eurasian like fellow actresses Kelly Hu, Vanessa Anne Hudgens', Jessica Anderson, Devon Aoki, Moon Bloodgood, China Chow, Traycee King, Kristin Kreuk, Jaymee Ong, Maggie Q, Nicole Scherzinger, Monica Young and actors Anthony Begonia, Andrew Johnston, Brandon Lee, Keanu Reeves, Rob Schneider, Russell Wong and Michael Wong. Is in a band called "WarPaint" with her sister and two friends.