Bethany Joy Lenz Biography

Bethany Joy Lenz starred on "One Tree Hill" as Haley James-Scott and as Michelle Bauer Santos on the CBS Daytime soap opera "Guiding Light." She's also recognized for her music as a solo artist and as a member of the band Everly.

Following in her grandfather's footsteps, Lenz began singing at the early age of three at The Carpenter's Church in Lakeland, FL. At the age of seven, Joy and her family moved to Arlington, TX.

While on a trip to Los Angeles, Lenz landed her first professional job in a commercial for the teen drama series, "Swans Crossing." Lenz eventually went on to appear in additional commercials for Eggo Waffles, Dr Pepper and others.

Nevertheless, Lenz continued to find work steadily as an actress, and by her sophomore year in high school she landed the role of Linda Halleck in Stephen King's "Thinner."

She continued the momentum by appearing in various pilots, commercials and films and performing regional theatre until she was eventually cast as a series regular on "Guiding Light."

Her stint earned her such favorable reviews from viewers, critics and "Guiding Light" executives alike that Lenz was eventually recast as Michelle Bauer Santos upon Rebecca Budig's exit -- an unusual move that was "unheard of" in the industry according to CBS producer, Mickey Dwyer-Dobbin.

In 1999 while working on the demanding daytime serial "Guiding Light," she graduated from Eastern Christian High School in New Jersey and landed the role of Rose Cronin in Mary and Rhoda, a made-for-TV movie that reunited Mary Tyler Moore and Valerie Harper as Mary Richards and Rhoda Morgenstern.

At the time Lenz juggled a heavy storyline, a television movie portraying Mary Tyler Moore's daughter, a one-year run of a New York cabaret called "Foxy Ladies Love/Boogie 70's Explosion," and the lead role in an independent film.

Lenz also filmed two pilots: one playing the daughter of Paul Sorvino, and the other as the lead in the WB's "1972."

At the end of her two year contract with "Guiding Light," she seized the opportunity to leave her role as Michelle Bauer Santos and moved from New York City to Los Angeles to gain exposure in different avenues.

Out west, Lenz was directed by Garry Marshall in "Happy Days: the Musical" (playing Pinky Tuscadero; musical directors Carole King and Paul Williams) and by Arthur Allan Seidleman in a staged reading of a musical version of "The Outsiders."

During this time Lenz also landed guest appearances on "Off Centre," "Charmed," "Felicity," "Maybe It's Me" and "The Guardian." In 2002 Lenz joined the cast of "Bring It On Again" as the co-captain of the varsity squad, Marni Potts.

At 22 Lenz was cast in the WB's television series "One Tree Hill." Lenz landed the role of Haley James, the quintessential girl-next-door who is best friends with Lucas Scott, portrayed by Chad Michael Murray, and wife of Nathan Scott, portrayed by James Lafferty.

In the sixth season, Lenz made her directorial debut and stepped behind the camera to call all the shots. Since her debut, Lenz directed two additional episodes.

After eight seasons on air, "One Tree Hill" came back for thirteen episodes in its ninth and final season.

Following "One Tree Hill," she had a recurring role on "Dexter."

Trained by the director of The Brooklyn College of Opera, Lenz plays the guitar and piano, and writes her own music.

Her first album, entitled "Preincarnate," was released in October 2002. Lenz continued to release new music, often through her character Haley James Scott.

In 2005, after recording "When the Stars Go Blue" with co-star Tyler Hilton, the duo joined The Wreckers (Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp), and Gavin DeGraw for a 25-city North American One Tree Hill Tour that started in Vancouver.

Lenz and Hilton scored the No. 89 spot on February 2005's Billboard Pop 100 chart with the duet "When the Stars Go Blue."

While on tour, Lenz debuted her second independent record entitled, "Come On Home."

In 2006, alongside ex-American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, Lenz co-wrote and recorded "Halo," which was released in the second volume of the "One Tree Hill" Soundtrack.

In 2008, Lenz took her music to new grounds and formed the band Everly with her lifelong friend, Amber Sweeney. Immediately after the duo was formed, Everly, musical act Angels & Airwaves, and Kate Voegele teamed up with the USO for a live concert event for military personnel.

Lenz recently went into the studio to record her next album.

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