Ed Westwick

Edward "Ed" Westwick (born 27 June 1987) is an English actor and musician who is best known for his role as Chuck Bass on The CW television drama Gossip Girl. He has also appeared in films such as S. Darko, Chalet Girl, and J. Edgar. --- Westwick was born and raised in Stevenage,Hertfordshire, the son of Carole, an educational psychologist, and Peter Westwick, a university lecturer. He has two brothers. At age six, he followed music lessons and went to a Saturday morning drama school. He attended the Barclay Secondary School and then North Hertfordshire College. He later trained at the National Youth Theatre in London. His early career began with appearances on the British television series Doctors as Holden, Casualty as Johnny Cullin and Afterlife as Darren. His film credits include Breaking and Entering, Children of Men and Son of Rambow. In 2007, Westwick was cast as Chuck Bass in The CW's teen drama series Gossip Girl, based on the book series of the same name by Cecily von Ziegesar. For his portrayal, he assumed an American accent based on the character Carlton Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. As a result of the show's success, he was named one of 2008's Sexiest Men Alive by People magazine, appeared the following year on its "100 Most Beautiful" list with the whole cast of Gossip Girl, earned two awards in 2008 and 2009 for Best TV Villain at the Teen Choice Awards, and was named Breakthrough Talent by GQ in 2010. Entertainment Weekly also named Westwick's character Chuck Bass number one in their "Best Dressed TV characters of 2008" list (tied with Leighton Meester's character Blair Waldorf), as well as in their "Best Performances" list alongside co-star Meester. Westwick said: "There wasn't much work in the UK. I was only in LA for a month and I got this show. It's changed my life." --- Westwick fronted the British indie rock band The Filthy Youth, composed of himself, Kenny "Axe Man" Arnold, David "Gattman" Gatt, Jimmy Wright, Tom Bastiani, and John Vooght. The band, formed in 2006, was inspired by the Rolling Stones, The Doors and Kings of Leon. The songs "Come Flash All You Ladies" and "Orange" were both featured in an episode of Gossip Girl. Keen on football, Westwick is a Chelsea F.C. supporter. He is friends with footballer Charlie Henry. He shared an apartment with Gossip Girl co-star Chace Crawford in Chelsea, Manhattan at the beginning of the series in 2007 until July 2009 when Crawford moved out.