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Shailene Woodley

Early Life and Family Background

Shailene Woodley was born on November 15, 1991, in Simi Valley, California, to Lori and Loni Woodley. Her mother worked as a middle school counselor, and her father was a school principal. She has one sibling, a younger brother named Tanner Woodley. At the age of four, Shailene began her career as a child model. However, at 15, she was diagnosed with scoliosis, a condition that required her to wear a plastic back brace from her chest to her hips in order to correct the curvature of her spine. That same year proved challenging personally as well, as her parents divorced.

Related Biography: Vanessa Simmons

Education and Early Acting Roles

Woodley attended Simi Valley High School while actively pursuing acting opportunities. During her early teenage years, she landed several minor roles, leading to more significant parts over time. She also considered studying interior design at New York University, though her acting career soon became her primary focus.

Her first major television role came as Amy Juergens in the ABC Family series The Secret Life of the American Teenager, which aired from 2008 to 2013. Prior to that, she played the lead in the 2005 television film Felicity: An American Girl Adventure, portraying Felicity Merriman.

Breakthrough with 'The Descendants'

Woodley's breakthrough performance came in 2011, when she starred opposite George Clooney in the critically acclaimed film The Descendants. Her portrayal of Alexandra King earned her widespread praise and recognition. She received the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture.

International Fame from the 'Divergent' Series

In 2014, Woodley gained international recognition for her role as Beatrice “Tris” Prior in the Divergent series, based on the bestselling novels by Veronica Roth. Her powerful performance anchored the film adaptations and earned her a large global following. That same year, she also starred as Hazel Grace Lancaster in the film adaptation of John Green’s novel, The Fault in Our Stars.


Quick Facts
Birth Date: 15 Nov, 1991
Age: 28 yrs
Occupations: Actor
Child actor
Television actor
Film actor
Model
Citizenship: United States of America
Birth Place: Simi Valley
Education: Simi Valley High School
Gender: Female
Description: American actress
Twitter Id: Shailenewoodley
Net Worth 2021: 12 million
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Last Modified: Apr 22 2025
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