Hilarie Burton

About Hilarie Burton

Hilarie Burton wears many hats as an American actress, businesswoman, author, and producer. She first captured attention as the vibrant host of MTV's Total Request Live before stepping into the dramatic shoes of Peyton Sawyer on The WB/CW's One Tree Hill for six successful seasons. Following her time on the beloved series, Burton showcased her acting talent in films like Our Very Own, Solstice, and The List. Her television career continued to flourish with notable supporting and recurring roles, including her portrayal of Sara Ellis in White Collar from 2010 to 2013, Dr. Lauren Boswell in the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy in 2013, Molly Dawes in the ABC drama series Forever in 2014, and Karen Palmer in the Fox series Lethal Weapon in 2016.

Born in Sterling, Virginia, Burton's father was a salesman and a U.S. Army veteran, while her mother worked as a school bus driver. Even as a young woman, acting was a significant passion for Burton, a path she decided to pursue after high school. She enrolled at New York University to study acting, but an unexpected opportunity arose. After landing a guest spot to interview celebrities on the red carpet for MTV, her talent and charisma impressed the network, leading to a full-time position. Ironically, during her childhood in Virginia, MTV was a channel she was not permitted to watch.

Burton's television debut occurred in 2002 with a guest appearance on Dawson's Creek as a VJ. That same year, she also presented at the MTV Video Music Awards and hosted MTV's Iced Out New Year's Eve. During the filming of One Tree Hill, Burton made her home in Wilmington, North Carolina. In 2009, a blind date, orchestrated by fellow actors Jensen Ackles and his wife Danneel, introduced her to actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan. The couple welcomed a son, and later a daughter. Burton has been open about the challenges of conceiving their second child, sharing on social media that it took five years to carry their daughter to term. Burton and Morgan officially married on October 5, 2019, in a private ceremony attended by many of their former One Tree Hill and Supernatural castmates. They have built their life together on a 100-acre working farm in Rhinebeck, New York, in the Hudson Valley, sharing their home with a variety of animals including cows, ducks, chickens, alpacas, donkeys, and an emu. Since 2014, alongside actor Paul Rudd, they have been co-owners of Samuel's Sweet Shop, a beloved Rhinebeck candy store they helped save from closing after the unexpected death of its owner, a dear friend.