Liza Weil was born on June 5, 1977 in New Jersey to a family of actors. Her parents toured Europe with their own comedy troupe, The Madhouse Company of London, taking her with them. As a child, Liza aspired to be an archaeologist because she was influenced by the Indiana Jones movies. When she was seven, she settled with her family in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Soon, her mother began taking her to numerous auditions and as a teenager, she focused more on her acting career than on her studies. She traveled frequently to New York, acting in productions off-Broadway and in the Philadelphia theater community. A graduate of North Penn High School and an alumna of Columbia University, she pursued her film and television career intently and became a regular performer at the Ojai Playwrights Conference.
Liza Weil has also acted alongside every member of her family. She and her father headlined the well-received Montgomery Theater production of Proof in 2004. Her first ever television role was on The Adventures of Pete and Pete, on an episode also featuring her mother. Weil’s younger sister, Samantha, has also starred with her on the third season finale of the series Gilmore Girls.
Weil is best known for portraying the character Paris Geller on the CW series Gilmore Girls. She initially auditioned for the role of Rory, but didn’t get the part. Since she impressed the producers with her personality, they ended up creating the role of Paris just for her. Her first major feature film role was in Stir of Echoes, which co-starred Kevin Bacon. She previously appeared in the 1998 independent film Whatever, and has continued to take on roles in indies like Motel Jerusalem, Scar and Lullaby. Some of her other appearances include those in ER, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the horror short Grace, the Molly Shannon film Year of the Dog and the 2008 biographical film Neal Cassady.
Initially auditioned for the role of Rory Gilmore in "Gilmore Girls" (2000).
Although born in New Jersey, U.S.A., she was considered transient during her childhood as her parents traveled around Europe.
The character of Paris Gellar on Gilmore Girls was written for Liza, because she was wanted in the show.
Engaged to Paul Adelstein [May 2006]
Attended Columbia University.
Film:
2007: Neal Cassady - Doris Delay
2007: Order Up - Hippie Patron
2007: Year of the Dog - Trishelle
2006: Grace - Madeline
2006: Affair Game - Wife
2002: Lullaby - Rane
2002: Dragonfly - Suicide Girl
1999: Stir of Echoes - Debbie Kozac
1998: Whatever - Anna Stockard
1997: A Cure for Serpents - Lucy
Television:
2001: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - Lara Todd
2000-2007: Gilmore Girls - Paris Geller
2000, 2002: ER - Samantha Sobriki
2000: The West Wing - Karen Larson
1994: The Adventures of Pete & Pete - Bully Margie Corsell