Sophia Bush has made a lasting impact on the film and television industries with her diverse range of roles and captivating performances. Born on July 8, 1982, in Pasadena, California, Sophia is an only child to Charles William Bush, a renowned advertising and celebrity photographer, and Maureen E. (Searson) Bush, who runs a photography studio.
Growing up in Pasadena, Sophia began her acting career in school theater productions while attending Westridge School for Girls, a small private school. She was crowned Queen of the Royal Court for the 2000 Tournament of Roses and graduated from high school in the same year.
In 2002, Sophia made her screen debut in the comedy Van Wilder, opposite Ryan Reynolds, and later attended the University of Southern California for three years, majoring in Journalism and minoring in Theatre. However, she did not graduate, opting instead to pursue her acting career.
Sophia's breakthrough role came when she was cast as Brooke Davis, a flirtatious cheerleader, on the WB TV series One Tree Hill. The show ran for nine seasons, and Sophia's character evolved from a trouble-making vixen to a fiercely loyal friend, earning her a huge fan following.
During her time on One Tree Hill, Sophia began dating her on-screen love interest, actor Chad Michael Murray, and the two wed in April 2005. However, their marriage was short-lived, and they divorced in September 2005. Sophia continued to land big-screen roles, including October Bantum in Stay Alive and Beth in John Tucker Must Die.
Sophia's subsequent film roles include The Hitcher, The Narrows, and Table for Three. She has also been recognized for her philanthropic work, receiving the "Rising Star" Award at the 2007 Vail Film Festival and the "New Hollywood Style Icon" Award at the 2008 Hollywood Style Awards.
As a passionate philanthropist, Sophia focuses on celebrating the arts and the environment. She is an advocate for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, which works to preserve biodiversity within the Maasai tribal lands of East Africa. Sophia also contributes her time and talents to the Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization that brings together artists to share their time and talent with children battling serious medical conditions.
In her free time, Sophia enjoys horseback riding, boxing, and photography. She is a voracious reader and loves spending time with her friends. Sophia resides in Wilmington, North Carolina, where One Tree Hill was filmed.
