Bethany Joy Lenz, an American actress, singer-songwriter, and director, was born on April 2, 1981. She gained notoriety for her 2003–2012 performance as Haley James Scott in the WB/CW television drama One Tree Hill. She was a featured actress on the CBS Daytime soap opera Guiding Light from 1998 to 2000 as Michelle Bauer Santos, and she is well known for her work as a solo performer and a member of the band Everly.
Lenz's first paid employment was in a doll commercial for the teen drama series Swans Crossing while she was visiting Los Angeles. Lenz subsequently went on to feature in advertisements for Dr. Pepper, Eggo Waffles, and other products. In her second year of high school, she earned the role of Linda Halleck in Stephen King's Thinner. She continued to work steadily as an actress. She performed in provincial theatre and starred in a number of pilots, commercials, and films before being hired as a series regular on Guiding Light.
Lenz, who was then seventeen, appeared in nine episodes of the CBS Daytime soap of Guiding Light as Reva Shayne's adolescent clone. Lenz's performance received such positive feedback from fans, critics, and Guiding Light officials that she was ultimately recast as Michelle Bauer Santos after Rebecca Budig left. CBS producer Mickey Dwyer-Dobbin said that this extraordinary action was "unheard of" in the business. She earned her diploma from Eastern Christian High School in New Jersey in 1999 while working on Guiding Light. Additionally, she was cast as Rose Cronin in the made-for-television film Mary and Rhoda, which starred Valerie Harper and Mary Tyler Moore as Mary Richards and Rhoda Morgenstern, respectively. Lenz was juggling a complex plotline, a television film in which she played Mary Tyler Moore's daughter, a one-year run in the cabaret Foxy Ladies Love/Boogie 70's Explosion in New York City, and the main role in an indie movie at the time. Lenz also shot two pilots, one in which she portrayed Paul Sorvino's daughter and the other in which she played the lead in the WB feature 1972.
She quit her position as Michelle Bauer Santos and relocated from New York City to Los Angeles at the conclusion of her two-year contract with The Guiding Light. Lenz was directed by Arthur Allan Seidleman in a staged reading of a musical adaptation of The Outsiders and by Garry Marshall, who was playing Pinky Tuscadero in Happy Days: the Musical (musicals by Carole King and Paul Williams), both in Los Angeles. Lenz also secured guest roles during this time on Off Centre, Charmed, Felicity, Maybe It's Me, and The Guardian. As Marni Potts, the co-captain of the varsity cheerleading squad, Lenz joined the cast of Bring It On Again in 2002.
Lenz was given a role in the WB television show One Tree Hill when she was twenty-two. Initially, she went on stage to try out for the parts of Brooke Davis and Haley James. She was cast in the part of Haley James, the stereotypical "girl next door," who is best friends with Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray), the husband of Nathan Scott (James Lafferty), and the daughter of Nathan Scott. Lenz turned down the option to play Belle in Beauty and the Beast while it was still on Broadway during her tenure on One Tree Hill owing to schedule issues. As part of a crossover between One Tree Hill and Life Unexpected, Lenz and Kate Voegele both featured in an episode of Life Unexpected.
Lenz's first season as a director was the sixth. She first expressed interest in directing to producer Greg Prange in 2007, but she was not granted the chance to do so until two years later. Lenz observed various directors' preparations and went on location scouting while they were being shadowed during season six. Two further episodes were helmed by Lenz.
One Tree Hill made a comeback for thirteen episodes in its ninth and final season after eight years on television. On April 4, 2012, the programme terminated.
Lenz made the choice to focus on endeavours that were "strategically designed to move her career in a direction that was not quite the same thing as she was doing on One Tree Hill" in 2012. Lenz would appear in a Men at Work episode as a guest star, it was announced in September 2012. She took on the part of Meg, a single mother whom Tyler starts dating. She claimed that because she hadn't done comedy in a while, the first few days were challenging.
It was announced in March 2013 that Lenz would play a recurring character on Dexter. She was described as "an attractive former finance executive looking for a quieter life" in the description of her character Cassie. The final season's four episodes featured Lenz's character.
Lenz was cast as Lauren Byrd in the E! pilot Songbyrd at the end of September 2013. The protagonist of the episode was Lauren, a brilliant songwriter who uses a small team, including her sister, to facilitate and oversee her strange but immensely successful process. Songbyrd's production started in New York City in late January 2014, but E decided not to air the programme.
Lenz was chosen to play Zoe in the Shonda Rhimes programme The Catch for ABC in the second quarter of that year. Lenz announced her replacement on May 18, 2015, writing, "Looks like they need a different type for Zoe, so I'll be replaced," while still urging viewers to keep watching the show.
Lenz played the lead role in Kristin Fairweather's debut short film, Grace, at the beginning of 2016. She additionally made an appearance in two episodes of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s third season in March 2016. She was given the role of April in the brand-new drama American Gothic in the middle of 2016. We adore her," producer Corinne Brinkerhoff said of Lenz. She is amazing. She portrays a sharp, perceptive nurse at a rehab centre.
Started the Drama Queens podcast in 2021 with her One Tree Hill co-stars Hilarie Burton and Sophia Bush.
Music
Lenz finished a demo of her own music after leaving Guiding Light. Lenz is a guitarist and pianist who has received training from the Brooklyn College of Opera's director. She also composes her own music. Preincarnate, her debut album, was released in October 2002. She collaborated with musician Carole King on a brand-new musical that was based on the television show Happy Days under the supervision of director Garry Marshall. She also utilised the chance to participate in a public reading of the musical adaptation of Arthur Allan Seidelman's book The Outsiders.
She continues to put out new music while working on One Tree Hill. After working on the song "When the Stars Go Blue" with co-star Tyler Hilton, the two joined Gavin DeGraw, The Wreckers, and Michelle Branch on a 25-city North American One Tree Hill Tour that kicked off in Vancouver in 2005. Lenz and Hilton's duet "When the Stars Go Blue" reached No. 89 on the Billboard Pop 100 chart in February 2005. Lenz recorded the first portion of her music video for "Songs in My Pockets" in Coney Island Beach and Astroland in Brooklyn, New York, while on tour, and she also released her second independent record, Come On Home.
Lenz co-wrote and recorded "Halo" in 2006 with former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, and it was included in the second edition of the One Tree Hill Soundtrack. Lenz secured a contract with Sony Epic Records at this time, and she began recording her own songs with the help of producer Ron Aniello (Lifehouse, Guster, Barenaked Ladies). Lenz quit the label in 2006 as a result of internal restructuring at the business. Despite this setback, Lenz visited Los Angeles in 2006 to compose and record a number of songs for Ten Inch Hero's soundtrack. Lenz was able to sign with the independent record company Hillasterion after parting ways with Epic.
Lenz and Amber Sweeney, a close friend for her entire childhood, founded the band Everly in 2008. As soon as the duo was established, they joined up with Kate Voegele and musical act Angels & Airwaves for a live USO concert event for military members. This was recorded, and the plot of the One Tree Hill episode "Even Fairy Tale Characters Would Be Jealous" was based on it.
After four years of working together, the Everly band disbanded in 2012 because the two musicians wanted to concentrate on their respective projects. Lenz appeared at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City's BTF Concerts: Rock The Schools 2012 performance in November of the same year, along with fellow One Tree Hill co-star Michael Grubbs of the band Wakey!Wakey! and other singers. She sang brand-new songs as well as "I Know" and "Irresistible" duets with Grubbs. She sold a 9-song CD called Then Slowly Grows at the show.
Lenz revealed she was meeting with longtime friend and music producer Jeff Cohen to record an album during an interview with Shine On Media in May 2013. Lenz posted a photo of the recording studio on May 22, 2013. "Recording new music in #Nashville with old friend Jeff Cohen," the post stated. "Leaving Town Alive # Crazy Girls" Lenz tweeted "Sneak peek at my new album..." on June 4, 2013, along with a link to a video of the song "Please" on WhoSay.
Lenz discussed her musical career goals in a late July 2013 interview with Mary Ann Albright. She announced on her blog that she planned to independently release Your Woman, her debut studio album, in the near future. Lenz continued, "The best way I can describe this album is Patsy Cline meets Paula Cole meets Sam Cooke."
Following her performance of "Please" with Lenz at the 2012 Rock the Schools Concert, she made it available for her fans to download on August 10, 2013, on vibedeck, and on August 11, on iTunes. "Calamity Jane" by Lenz was made available on iTunes on July 18, 2014. The song served as a preview for her upcoming album. While I'm working on my album, here's a little teaser, Lenz said. I thought you'd like to hear this version even though the new record will sound very different from this song. The song was posted on her WhoSay website on July 21 and afterwards on her SoundCloud website.
Lenz set up a Kickstarter website in November 2014 to raise money for her upcoming EP. Early December saw the start of the EP's production. Fans had the opportunity to donate to the Stop the Traffik organisation in addition to supporting the new EP. On December 23, 2014, a project named "Get Back to Gold" was made available (on iTunes and Amazon.com) as a preview of her next album.
The project was put on hold because of legal disputes with her producer, David Waechter. Lenz made the decision to switch teams and currently performs with the Firepit Band. WhiteRose (Danny Shyman) plays guitar, Doo Crowder sings and plays guitar, Ben Zelico plays drums, and Brittany Gilmore and Meaghan Maples serve as backup singers. They announced an album was being prepared for 2017 while on tour from May to July 2016.
Snow, Lenz's debut Christmas album as a solo artist, was made available in December 2020. Mike Bundlie oversaw the recording's production, while Poets Road Records handled its release. Six songs were included, four of which were Lenz originals. Anthony Evans from The Voice is featured in the song "My Christmas with You," and her kid is featured in the song "Listen."
Movie The Notebook
After reading Nicholas Sparks' best-selling novel of the same name and watching Nick Cassavetes' film The Notebook in 2005, Lenz found herself humming songs based on the characters of the narrative around her home. She made the decision to record them on paper after six weeks. They decided to establish Galeotti & Aniello Productions after she pitched the idea to her producer Ron Aniello. They were composing a musical, Lenz announced on her website bethanyjoylenz.com on December 7, 2006. Lenz completed the libretto and delivered it to a family friend who later gave it to the book's author. She acquired the rights to the musical because he adored it.
Early in August 2009, the auditions were held at Thalian Hall. The principal roles of Noah and Alli were filled with Paul Teal and Kendra Goehring-Garett. In October 2009, Nicholas Sparks attended a workshop performance of The Notebook musical in a tiny black box theatre in front of Broadway producers, financiers, and other guests. Lenz claimed that all of the responses she and Aniello got was favourable. The music was described by the producers as "amazing" and did not need to be changed, and they said that "everyone loved the dialogue and thought the story was well-crafted." She expresses her gratitude to a few cast members from One Tree Hill on the playbill, including Allison Munn, Jana Kramer, and Paul Johansson.
Lenz posted on Facebook on February 10 and 11 that she was recording songs for the musical with the other singers. Lenz said on March 6, 2010, that she was revising songs and other portions. The tracks are "The Colours Play," "Carolina Moon," "Troublesome Tongue," "Sunday Train," "The Nightclub Swing!"," "Think of Me (When You Are Gone")," "Psalm 148," "My Christmas With You," and "The Luckiest Girl," which the duo published on their website in July 2010. They were both Lenz and Aniello's works.
Lenz released the song "Troublesome Tongue" in November 2010 in reaction to Twitter users successfully raising more than $2,000 in one day for the charity Love146. The song tells the story of Noah's father and his friends telling Allie, his new love (played by Lenz on the album), about Noah's childhood stutter. Paul Teal, who played Noah, posted the song "Sunday Train" from the demo score on YouTube in December 2010. Lenz, who has become good friends with Nicholas Sparks, attended the 15th anniversary of The Notebook with her, she stated in October 2011 on her website www.bethanyjoy.com.
Private Life
On December 31, 2005, Lenz wed Michael Galeotti, a former Enation keyboardist. Maria Rose, Lenz's daughter, was born in 2011. Lenz announced in March 2012 that she would be divorcing her husband of six years. In her letter, she stated: "We are still friendly and committed to raising our lovely girl in love, and we greatly appreciate your prayers and support at this trying time."
Philanthropy
Lenz was introduced to Love146 by Amber Sweeney, a former bandmate in Everly, and has been actively promoting the global human rights organisation, primarily on social media. On June 12, 2011, she unveiled information about her most recent endeavour, an online store called Lark that sells clothing with original designs by Lenz. Reading is Fundamental and Love146 are both beneficiaries of all revenues.
Jewellery Lenz created her own jewellery line in collaboration with Stilnest in July 2016. After the attack in Nice, she postponed the launch for a week before finally releasing on July 23, 2016. The works' buffalo motif was brought to life by Lenz's visit to Fort Apache. Ten percent of the earnings were given to the Tanka Fund by Lenz. Lenz and Sophie Ratner worked together to create a line of jewellery in time for Mother's Day 2023 that was motivated by the strength and connection of womanhood.
VINTAGE MODERN LIFE
Lenz announced in 2023 that she will launch a broadsheet publication for women called Modern Vintage, the same name as her blog where she addressed fashion, travel, and culture.
Filmography
Film
Year | Film | Role |
1992 | Psalty's Salvation Celebration | Shelly Barnes |
1996 | Thinner | Linda Halleck |
2004 | Bring It On Again | Marni Potts |
2011 | Just Yell Fire: Campus Life | Herself |
2017 | Extortion | Julie Riley |
2020 | Blindfire | Jan |
2022 | So Cold the River | Erica Shaw |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1998 | 1973 | Lisa | Unaired television pilot |
1998–2000 | Guiding Light | Teenage Reva Shayne clone | Recurring role |
Michelle Bauer Santos | Main role (November 9, 1998 – September 29, 2000) | ||
2000 | Mary and Rhoda | Rose Cronin | Television film |
2001 | Charmed | Lady Julia | Episode: "A Knight to Remember" |
Felicity | Gretchen | Episode: "Oops...Noel Did It Again" | |
Off Centre | Heather | Episode: "Feeling Shellfish" | |
2002 | The Legacy | Jess | Unaired television pilot (UPN) |
Maybe It's Me | The Salesgirl | Episode: "The Romeo & Juliet Episode" | |
2003 | The Guardian | Claire Stasiak | Episodes: "My Aim Is True", "What It Means to You" |
2003–2012 | One Tree Hill | Haley James Scott | Main role |
2010 | Life Unexpected | Haley James Scott | Episode: "Music Faced" (crossover with One Tree Hill) |
2013 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Darcy Blaine | Episode: "Frame by Frame" |
Dexter | Cassie Jollenston | Recurring role (season 8) | |
Men at Work | Meg | Episode: "Tyler the Pioneer" | |
Sock Monkee Therapy | Holly | Episode: "Holly" | |
2014 | The Christmas Secret | Christine Eisley | Television film |
Songbyrd | Lauren Byrd | Unaired television pilot | |
2016 | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Stephanie Malick | Episodes: "Parting Shot", "Paradise Lost" |
American Gothic | April | 3 episodes | |
Home | Rose Bell | Unaired television pilot | |
2017 | Colony | Morgan | Recurring role (season 2) |
Snowed-Inn Christmas | Jenna Hudson | Television film | |
2018 | Good Eggs | Rebecca | Short film |
Grey's Anatomy | Jenny | Episodes: "1-800-799-7233", "Personal Jesus" | |
Poinsettias for Christmas | Ellie Palmer | Television film | |
Royal Matchmaker | Kate Gleason | Television film | |
2019 | Bottled with Love | Abbey Lawrence | Television film |
Pearson | Keri Allen | Main role | |
2020 | Five Star Christmas | Lucy Ralston | Television film |
Just My Type | Vanessa Sills | Television film | |
A Valentine's Match | Natalie Simmons | Television film | |
2021 | An Unexpected Christmas | Emily | Television film |
2022 | Good Sam | Amy Taylor | Episode "Keep Talking" |
2023 | A Biltmore Christmas | Lucy Collins | Television film |
As a director or producer
Year | Title | Position | Notes |
2008–2011 | One Tree Hill | Director | Episodes: "Screenwriter's Blues", "At the Bottom of Everything", "Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace" |
2009 | The Notebook musical | Writer and producer |
|
2017 | Nasty Habits | Director | Episode: "Somebody's Mom" |
Podcasts
Year | Title | Notes |
2017 | Performers Podcast | Guest |
Dream For Others | Guest | |
2019 | Whine Down with Jana Kramer | Guest |
Scrubbing In with Becca Tilley & Tanya Rad | Guest | |
2020 | Whine Down with Jana Kramer | Guest |
2021 | Deck the Hallmark | Guest |
Drama Queens | Co-Host | |
2022 | Dark Sanctum | Performer- Bess Houdini |
Theater
Year | Title | Role | Director |
1988 | The Wonderful Wizard of Oz | Munchkin | |
Gypsy | Baby June | ||
1991 | To Kill a Mockingbird | Scout | Scott Jacoby / Matt Moses |
1999–2000 | Foxy Ladies Love/Boogie 70's Explosion | Performer | Fritz Brekeller |
2000 | The Outsiders | Sandy | Arthur Allan Seidelman |
2005 | Happy Days | Pinky Tuscadero | Garry Marshall |
2012 | CATS for Cats | Performed "Macavity" | Shawn Simons |
2014 | One Starry Night Gala | Performed "On the Steps of the Palace" | |
2018 | CATstravaganza: Hamilton's Cats Musical | Performed "Buenos Aires" |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
2000 | Soap Opera Digest Awards | Favorite Couple | Guiding Light (with Paul Anthony Stewart) | Nominated |
2004 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Breakout TV Star Female | One Tree Hill | Nominated |
Choice Fresh Face Female | One Tree Hill | Nominated | ||
Choice TV Sidekick | One Tree Hill | Nominated | ||
2007 | Santa Cruz Film Festival Awards | Best Soundtrack | Ten Inch Hero | Won |
2010 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Scene Stealer Female | One Tree Hill | Nominated |
Choice Parental Unit | One Tree Hill (with James Lafferty) | Nominated |
Studio albums
Year | Title | Record label | Notes |
2002 | Preincarnate | Limited edition independent record | No longer available for purchase |
2005 | Come On Home | Limited edition independent record | No longer available for purchase |
2006 | The Starter Kit | Epic Records | Unreleased |
2012 | Then Slowly Grows | Independent Record | First released at the Rock the Schools Concert |
2013 | Your Woman | Victrola Records | First released at the One Tree Hill Convention 2013 |
EPs
Year | Title | Record label | Notes |
2008 | Mission Bell | Hilasterion Records | Released by Everly |
2009 | Fireside | Hilasterion Records | Released by Everly |
2010 | B Tracks: Vol. 3 | Hilasterion Records | Released by Everly |
B Tracks: Full Collection | Hilasterion Records | Released by Everly | |
2014 | Get Back to Gold | Imagine Music | Released by Joy |
2015 | It's Christmas | Independent Record | Released by Joy Lenz & The Fellas |
2020 | Snow | Poets Road Records | Released as Bethany Joy |
Singles
Year | Title | Album | Notes |
1992 | "God has a Plan for My Life" | Psalty's Salvation Celebration Soundtrack | |
2000 | "All Along" | End of August Soundtrack | Featuring Danny "The Farrow" Anniello |
2002 | "Ebony and Ivory" (originally by Paul McCartney) | Undercover Brother Soundtrack | Dubbed over Denise Richards' voice |
2005 | "When the Stars Go Blue" (originally by Ryan Adams) | One Tree Hill Soundtrack Volume 1 | Duet with Tyler Hilton |
2006 | "Halo" | Friends with Benefit: Music from the Television Series One Tree Hill, Volume 2 | Composed by Kara Dioguardi & Matthew Gerrard |
2007 |
| Ten Inch Hero Soundtrack | |
2008 | "Feel This" | Feel This – Single | Featuring Enation |
"I Want Something That I Want" | The One Tree Hill Sessions | Featuring Grace Potter | |
2009 | "Quicksand" | B Tracks: Vol. 1 – Single | Released by Everly |
"Maybe" | B Tracks: Vol. 2 – Single | Released by Everly | |
2013 | "Please" | Please – Single | Released by Bette featuring Bethany Joy Lenz |
2014 | "Calamity Jane" | Calamity Jane – Single | Previously titled "Wicked Calamity Jane" |
2017 | "(They Long To Be) Close To You" | Po (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | |
"How About You" | How About You (From "Snowed Inn Christmas") – Single | Duet with Andrew Walker |
Quick Bio
Nickname | Joie Lenz |
Gender | Female |
Age | 42 years old (in 2023) |
Date of Birth | April 2, 1981 |
Real Name | Bethany Joy Lenz |
Profession | Actress, Singer, Songwriter, Filmmaker |
Nationality | American |
Birthplace | Hollywood, Florida, United States |
Religion | Christianity |
Zodiac Sign | Aries |
Qualification | Graduate |
School | Eastern Christian High School |
Profession | Actress, Singer, Songwriter, Filmmaker |
Net Worth | USD $6 million approx |
Height, Weight & Physical Stats
Body Measurements | 36-22-34 inches |
Body type | Banana |
Height | 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m) |
Weight | 56 kg (123 lbs) |
Waist | 22 inches |
Hair Color | Blonde |
Eye Color | Brown |
Shoe Size | 7 (US) |
Father | Robert George Lenz |
Mother | Catharine Malcolm Holt Shepard |
Brother | None |
Sister | None |
Marital Status | Divorced |
Ex Spouse | Michael Galeotti (m. 2005–2012) |
No. of Children | 1 |
Son | None |
Daughter | Maria Rose Galeotti |
Past Relationships | Michael Galeotti (2005-2012) |
Facts
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