PENN BADGLEY
as DAN HUMPHREY

Watch an interview with Penn Badgley.

Penn Badgley stars as Dan Humphrey in The CW's hit drama "Gossip Girl," from Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage ("The O.C."), based on the tremendously popular book series about privileged teenagers who attend an elite private school in New York City.

Badgley recently completed production on the dramatic thriller "The Stepfather" opposite Dylan Walsh ("Nip/Tuck") and Sela Ward ("House"), set for release in 2009.  This fall, Badgley takes a villainous turn in the rugby-themed "Forever Strong."  He appeared in "John Tucker Must Die," and has starred in several television movies over the years.  His first starring role came at 15 in the short-lived "Do Over," for which he received critical acclaim.

Born in Baltimore, Badgley split his formative years between Midlothian, Virginia, and Seattle, Washington.  It was in Seattle that, through his love of music, he stumbled upon a local playhouse and became involved in musical theatre, where his passion for acting grew.  Badgley relocated to Los Angeles and built up his resume while attending Santa Monica College.  He had planned to transfer to USC, where he was accepted at 17, but life and work intervened.

Badgley currently resides in New York.  He enjoys writing music and playing soccer in his spare time.