Rachel Bilson, a photogenic beauty known for her effortlessly natural presence onscreen, quickly became a favorite among younger audiences. With remarkable versatility, she portrayed characters ranging from the mischievous to the virtuous, all with impressive ease. Bilson first gained widespread recognition as the spirited and unforgettable Summer Roberts on the hit primetime teen drama The O.C. (Fox, 2003–07). As the affluent, slightly pretentious Southern California “it girl,” Summer became a cultural touchstone—teen girls loved to hate her, while guys couldn’t help but be drawn to her charm.
Her popularity soared beyond the show’s core demographic, catching the attention of both teenybopper magazines and men’s publications alike. That kind of visibility brought instant notoriety, and Bilson was eager to leverage it into a successful film career once The O.C. wrapped. She kicked off this new chapter with the romantic drama The Last Kiss (2006). While the film received mixed reviews overall, Rachel’s performance was widely praised.
Now free from the demands of a weekly television schedule, she continued to explore the big screen with roles in Jumper (2008), New York, I Love You (2009), and Waiting for Forever (2011). Despite her efforts, none of these films quite delivered the breakthrough success she had hoped for. As a result, Bilson decided to return to television, where she felt most at home. She took on the lead role in Hart of Dixie (The CW, 2011–15), a move that reconnected her with the audience that had first embraced her.
Still early in her career, Rachel Bilson continued to shine, with a promising future ahead of her and plenty of opportunities on the horizon.
Rachel Bilson’s most acclaimed movie is The To Do List (2013), which stands out as her highest-rated film to date. On the other hand, her performance in Waiting for Forever (2010) received the least favorable reviews, making it her lowest-rated movie so far. While she’s known for her roles in various projects, these two films represent the extremes in terms of critical reception. Her work in The To Do List showcased her comedic timing and versatility, whereas Waiting for Forever didn’t resonate as strongly with audiences or critics. Rachel has continued to take on diverse roles, but those two remain notable points in her filmography.