Katie Cassidy

Katherine Evelyn Anita "Katie" Cassidy (born November 25, 1986) is an American actress who stars as Laurel Lance on The CW superhero television series Arrow (2012–present). She has also appeared in the CW series Supernatural (2007–2008), Melrose Place (2009–2010) and Gossip Girl (2010; 2012); in CBS' Harper's Island (2009); and in the films When a Stranger Calls (2006), Black Christmas (2006), Taken (2008), A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) and Monte Carlo (2011). Cassidy has roles in the upcoming films Fencewalker and The Scribbler. --- Cassidy was born in Los Angeles, the daughter of actor David Cassidy and model Sherry Williams, who first met and dated in early 1970, then had an off and on relationship over the next sixteen years. Cassidy's paternal grandparents were actors Jack Cassidy and Evelyn Ward, and she is the niece of teen idol and television producer Shaun Cassidy and actor Patrick Cassidy. Cassidy grew up in Calabasas, California with her mother and stepfather, Richard Benedon, an ER physician. She has two older half-sisters, Jenna and Jamie, and a younger half-brother, Beau Cassidy. As a child, Cassidy took to tumbling, competing and eventually became a cheerleader for the California Flyers, a competitive team. She cheered as a freshman for Calabasas High School where she attended high school and graduated with honors in 2005. While in elementary school, Cassidy became interested in show business and participated in several community theatre productions beginning at the age of 7, and as a teenager studied with an acting coach. She did some modeling which culminated in a campaign ad for Abercrombie and Fitch in 2004. Her mother would not allow her to act professionally until completing her high school education with college prep courses. In 2003, Cassidy made her television and acting debut appearing in an episode of the Lifetime Television Drama television series The Division. Cassidy has continued to guest appear in television shows such as Celebrity Apprentice 4, Listen Up! and New Girl. In 2005, Cassidy appeared in a recurring role on The WB television series 7th Heaven over the course of four episodes. That same year, she also appeared in the UPN Teen Drama television series Sex, Love & Secrets. In 2006, Cassidy made her film debut as Tiffany Madison in the horror film When a Stranger Calls. Cassidy has gone on to have notable supporting roles in films Click, Taken and Live!. --- Cassidy is a spokesperson for the charity H.E.L.P. Malawi.