Krysten Ritter

Early life

Ritter was born on December 16, 1981, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Garry Ritter and Kathi Taylor. She was raised in rural Shickshinny, Pennsylvania, where her mother, stepfather, and sister live; her father lives in nearby Benton. She is of German, Scottish, and English descent.

Career

Early career

Ritter was scouted by a modeling agent at the age of 15 at her local shopping center, the Wyoming Valley Mall, during a modeling event. In a Philadelphia Style magazine interview, Ritter said she was "tall, gawky, awkward, and really, really skinny." While in high school, she traveled to New York City and Philadelphia to model, and signed with the Elite Model Management agency and Wilhelmina Models. Ritter moved to New York and established an international modeling career, appearing in print ads and on television. She did magazine, catalog, and runway work in Tokyo, New York City, Paris, and Milan.

2000s

An audition Wilhelmina had placed her in for a Wendy's television commercial helped Ritter transition into acting. Her "outgoing and bubbly and funny" performance personality had entertained the casting people, she told Philadelphia Style. She won bit parts in films starting in 2001, and played a 1950s art history student in Mona Lisa Smile in 2003. In 2006, she appeared in All This Intimacy, a two-act, Off-Broadway play by Rajiv Joseph, at the Second Stage Theatre. (Ritter later starred in the 2011 premiere of Zach Braff's play All New People, also at Second Stage, co-starring Anna Camp, David Wilson Barnes and Justin Bartha and directed by Peter DuBois.)[[File:Krysten Ritter at 27 Dresses Premiere 5.jpg|thumb|Ritter at the premiere of [[27 Dresses]] in 2008]]

Ritter's early guest starring and recurring roles on television included Gia Goodman, the daughter of Mayor Woody Goodman (Steve Guttenberg) on the second season of Veronica Mars; Rory Gilmore's friend, Lucy, on Gilmore Girls for eight episodes in 2006–07; and the first iteration of Allison Stark on the Fox sitcom 'Til Death (a role eventually played by four different actresses through the show's run).

She was cast as a young Carol Rhodes in an episode of The CW's teen drama series Gossip Girl, titled "Valley Girls," broadcast May 11, 2009. The episode was a backdoor pilot for a proposed spin-off series, set in 1980s Los Angeles; intended to chronicle the teenage years of character Lily van der Woodsen. Ritter described Carol, Lily's sister, as "the outcast" and "an '80s Sunset Strip rocker" to Access Hollywood. The series was not picked up by the network for the 2009–10 season, by which time Ritter appeared as Jane Margolis in the second season of Breaking Bad. The role of Jane was her breakthrough, at which Ritter expressed surprise on People's Couch Surfing program: "Talk about cult following, this show really is the gift that keeps on giving."

Ritter continued working in film, often cast in romantic comedies as the lead character's best friend. After supporting roles in What Happens in Vegas and 27 Dresses (both 2008), she co-starred with Isla Fisher in Confessions of a Shopaholic. For She's Out of My League, shot over three months in Pittsburgh in 2008, she played Patty, the cynical best friend of Alice Eve's character, Molly. Ritter also starred in How to Make Love to a Woman, based on the book by adult film star Jenna Jameson; and co-starred (with Jason Behr) in the 2009 independent film The Last International Playboy, as Ozzy, a drug addict.

Also in 2009, Ritter sold a television pilot she wrote based on her experiences as a model, titled Model Camp; and appeared in the comedy web series Woke Up Dead, also featuring Jon Heder.

2010s

Ritter starred in 2010 as the sharp and quirky Lily in the Starz television series Gravity, alongside Ivan Sergei, Ving Rhames and Rachel Hunter. The comedy-drama centers on a group of outpatient suicide survivors. She also played the manager of an Irish band in the 2011 comedy Killing Bono, a film directed by Nick Hamm and based on the book Killing Bono: I Was Bono's Doppleganger, about the early days of U2. Beginning in January 2010, the film shoot lasted for six weeks in locations from Belfast to London.

Ritter starred in and co-wrote (with director Kat Coiro) the 2011 independent comedy Life Happens, with Kate Bosworth and Rachel Bilson. The film is about two best friends dealing with the pregnancy and subsequent motherhood of Ritter's character. That same year, Ritter appeared alongside Alicia Silverstone and Sigourney Weaver in the comedy horror film Vamps, written and directed by Amy Heckerling. She plays a Manhattan socialite turned into a vampire.

In February 2011, Ritter landed the lead role in the ABC situation comedy Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23. She starred as Chloe, a New York City party girl and con artist who attempts to rip off her new roommates after they move in, but befriends and mentors one of the applicants. The series was canceled on January 22, 2013, after two seasons. Ritter and her childhood friend William Thomas Burnett formed the indie rock duo Ex Vivian, for which Ritter sings and plays guitar. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2012 on Burnett's WT Records.

Ritter went on to star in two NBC television comedy pilots in 2013 and 2014 that were not picked up as network series. She played Nora in the pilot for Assistance, based on the play by Leslye Headland. Her casting as aerospace engineer Dr. Mary Kendricks in the astronaut-themed comedy Mission Control was announced by the network in February 2014; but on October 15, NBC said it was not moving forward with the show.

A July 9, 2013, press release stated Ritter would star in Jake Hoffman's directorial debut, Asthma, about the indie rock scene in New York City.

On December 5, 2014, Ritter was cast to star in the Marvel Television series Jessica Jones in the title role, as a former superhero turned private investigator. About her casting, executive producer and show-runner Melissa Rosenberg stated that Ritter "brings both the hard edge and the vulnerability the role demands". Ritter revealed she read the comic book to prepare for the role and expressed her delight on working with women. All 13 episodes of the first season premiered on Netflix on November 20, 2015.[[File:Crop_of_Kyrsten_Ritter_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg|thumb|Ritter at the 2017 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]]]Ritter's debut novel, a psychological thriller titled Bonfire, was released on November 7, 2017, by Crown Archetype. She reprised the role of Jessica Jones on The Defenders alongside Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil, Mike Colter as Luke Cage and Finn Jones as Danny Rand / Iron Fist, and returned for the second season of Jessica Jones in 2018. She directed an episode in the third season of Jessica Jones, marking her directorial debut.

Following the conclusion of Jessica Jones in June 2019, Ritter starred in two more films for Netflix: she first reprised her Breaking Bad role as Jane Margolis on El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, which premiered on October 11, 2019.

2020s

Ritter starred in the dark fantasy film Nightbooks, based on the children's book of the same name, which was released on September 15, 2021. In 2023, Ritter starred in was the Max biographical crime drama miniseries Love & Death. She was cast as the lead of the BBC America science fiction television series Orphan Black: Echoes, a spinoff to Orphan Black, which aired in 2024 but was cancelled after one season. She later starred in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which was released in December 2024.

In February 2025, Ritter was cast in the Dexter sequel series Dexter: Resurrection as recurring serial killer Mia LaPierre / Lady Vengeance. Her second novel, Retreat, was co-written by Lindsay Jamieson and was released on March 25, 2025 under HarperCollins Publishing. In May 2025, she was announced to reprise her role as Jessica Jones in the second season of Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, which is set to premiere in March 2026.

Personal life

Ritter moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 2007. She promotes animal rights, posing for PETA ad campaigns, including a campaign warning pet owners of the dangers of leaving animals in vehicles during the summer, and another against SeaWorld keeping orcas in captivity. She is an avid knitter and has appeared on the cover of Vogue Knitting.

Ritter was in a relationship with musician Adam Granduciel from 2014 to 2021. Their son was born on July 29, 2019.

Filmography

Film

Television

As director

Audio

Music videos

Discography

Ex Vivian

• ex vivian (2012)

Bibliography

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

References

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2. Mike Rose, cleveland com. (2023-12-16). "Famous birthdays list for December 16, 2023 includes celebrities Krysten Ritter, Benjamin Bratt".
3. Naoreen, Nuzhat. (December 7, 2012). "Monitor: Dec. 14, 2012".
4. Feinberg, Scott. (July 5, 2012). "Krysten Ritter, Star of Raunchy ABC Comedy, on Playing Everyone's Favorite 'B----' (Video)". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
5. (April 8, 2012). "Trust us, this actress is different". [[Times Leader]].
6. Schaffer, Sarah. (January–February 2009). "The Real Thing".
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8. Thompson, Bob. (March 9, 2010). "Krysten Ritter explores her dark side". [[The Vancouver Sun]].
9. Stasio, Marilyn. (July 27, 2006). "Review: 'All This Intimacy'". [[Variety (magazine).
10. (May 26, 2011). "Barnes, Bartha, Camp & Ritter Set for Zach Braff's ''All New People'' at Second Stage".
11. (February 6, 2009). "'Gossip Girl' Spin-Off Star: 'I Feel Like A Million Bucks!'". [[Access Hollywood]].
12. (May 21, 2009). "Spotted: 'Gossip Girl' Spin-Off Officially Dumped By The CW". [[Access Hollywood]].
13. Andreeva, Nellie. (February 6, 2009). "Krysten Ritter joins "Gossip Girl" spinoff". [[Reuters]].
14. Aquilina, Tyler. (March 14, 2021). "Krysten Ritter recalls filming her 'Breaking Bad' character's death: 'I will never forget it'".
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20. McNary, Dave. (December 13, 2009). "Ritter ready for 'Killing Bono'". Variety.
21. (January 6, 2010). "Nick Hamm Starts 'Killing Bono'". [[Irish Film and Television Network]].
22. Hibberd, James. (February 4, 2011). "Krysten Ritter lands 'Bitch' role in ABC comedy pilot – EXCLUSIVE".
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29. Ausiello, Michael. (February 20, 2014). "Pilot Scoop: Krysten Ritter Orbiting NBC's Astronaut Comedy ''Mission Control''".
30. Hibberd, James. (May 11, 2014). "NBC reveals fall TV schedule: Thursday comedy shakeup".
31. Hibberd, James. (October 15, 2014). "NBC dumps Krysten Ritter sitcom before it premieres".
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34. Erbland, Kate. (December 12, 2014). "Krysten Ritter, Marvel's New Jessica Jones, Is Currently "Devouring" the Comics". [[Cosmopolitan (magazine).
35. Petski, Denise. (September 10, 2015). "Marvel's 'Jessica Jones' Gets Premiere Date on Netflix, Releases Teaser".
36. Serrao, Nivea. (February 15, 2017). "Krysten Ritter to write psychological thriller".
37. Li, Shirley. (March 7, 2018). "Everything you need to know before watching ''Marvel's Jessica Jones'' season 2".
38. Petski, Denise. (June 27, 2018). "Marvel's 'Jessica Jones' Star Krysten Ritter To Make Directorial Debut in Season 3". [[Deadline Hollywood]].
39. Davids, Brian. (September 30, 2021). "Krysten Ritter on 'Nightbooks' and the Legacy of 'Breaking Bad'".
40. Petski, Denise. (September 15, 2021). "Krysten Ritter Joins 'Love And Death' HBO Max True-Crime Limited Series".
41. Nellie, Andreeva. (July 28, 2022). "Krysten Ritter To Star In 'Orphan Black: Echoes' AMC Networks Series".
42. Andreeva, Nellie. (September 18, 2024). "''Orphan Black: Echoes'' Canceled By AMC Networks After 1 Season".
43. Strout, Paige. (December 19, 2024). "Krysten Ritter Was Worried She Would 'Cry' Working With Jim Carrey on 'Sonic 3': He's a 'Mad Scientist'".
44. Andreeva, Nellie. (February 27, 2025). "Krysten Ritter Joins 'Dexter: Resurrection' For Flashy Guest Arc". Deadline Hollywood.
45. Tagen-Dye, Carly. (July 24, 2024). "Breaking Bad's Krysten Ritter Explores 'Dark Side' of a Con Artist's Mind in New Thriller Novel".
46. Otterson, Joe. (May 13, 2025). "Krysten Ritter Officially Returning as Jessica Jones for 'Daredevil: Born Again' Season 2".
47. Kurutz, Steven. (November 20, 2008). "Unfettered Actress's Well-Furnished Lair". The New York Times.
48. "Krysten Ritter: Do Whatever It Takes to Be an Angel for Animals". [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]].
49. Malec, Brett. (August 27, 2013). "See Krysten Ritter's Hot New PETA Ad!". [[E! News]].
50. Kelli Bender, "Exclusive: Krysten Ritter Stars in New Anti-SeaWorld PETA Campaign," ''[http://people.com/pets/exclusive-krysten-ritter-stars-in-new-anti-seaworld-peta-campaign/ People] {{Webarchive. link. (April 16, 2018 '', August 4, 2016.)
51. Cusumano, Katherine. (August 19, 2017). "Krysten Ritter, ''The Defenders'' and ''Jessica Jones'' Star, Knits a Lot, Everywhere". [[W (magazine).
52. Faircloth, Kelly. (March 2, 2018). "''Vogue Knitting'' Cover Girl Krysten Ritter Teaches Stephen Colbert the Art of the Craft".
53. (2021-09-29). "Krysten Ritter and Partner Adam Granduciel Split After 7 Years Together".
54. Charlton, Lauretta. (June 16, 2017). "Watch a Tribute to the "Loving" Decision by the War on Drugs".
55. Koerner, Allyson. (August 8, 2019). "Krysten Ritter's Baby Name Will Make Comic Fans So Happy, According To A New Report".
56. (April 4, 2018). "Modern Love Podcast: Krysten Ritter Reads 'R We D8ting?'". [[The New York Times]].
57. (March 11, 2021). "Hear Aaron Paul and Krysten Ritter reunite in clip from James Patterson's new audio drama".
58. (November 2023). "Gripping game of cat and mouse: New Candice Fox podcast coming soon".
59. [https://m.imdb.com/title/tt32615483/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_cdt_t_2 Coldest Case: Past Has a Long Memory IMDB]
60. "Teen Choice Awards 2012". [[Teen Choice Awards]].
61. (December 26, 2015). "Performer of the Week: Krysten Ritter".
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63. Kilday, Gregg. (January 12, 2016). "'Carol' Earns Multiple Mentions as Dorian Award Nominees Are Unveiled". The Hollywood Reporter.
64. Bayley, Leanne. (June 8, 2016). "Here's who won what at the GLAMOUR Awards".
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66. Mueller, Matthew. (February 24, 2016). "Saturn Awards 2016 Nominees Announced".
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