Shannyn Sossamon is an American actress, director, and musician known for her roles in films like A Knight’s Tale and 40 Days and 40 Nights.

With a distinctive presence and eclectic career, she has also made her mark as a drummer for the indie rock band Warpaint and as a creative in both film and music.

Early Life and Education

Shannon Marie Kahololani Sossamon was born on October 3, 1978, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Sherry Sossamon, a nurse, and Todd Lindberg. After her parents’ divorce, her mother married Randy Goldman, an auto sales manager, who raised Shannyn and her younger sister, Jenny Lee Lindberg, a musician with Warpaint.

Shannyn’s diverse ancestry includes Hawaiian, Filipino, English, German, French, Dutch, and Irish roots. Raised in Reno, Nevada, from age five, she attended Galena High School, where she was active in drama and dance, including ballet, jazz, and modern styles.

After graduating in 1995, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue dance, studying at studios like Westlake School for Girls but not attending college, focusing instead on her creative ambitions. Her early years were marked by a bohemian lifestyle, frequenting raves and experimenting with DJing.

Career

Shannyn Sossamon’s career began unexpectedly when she was cast in A Knight’s Tale (2001) after being spotted at a Gwyneth Paltrow birthday party by casting director Francine Maisler. Playing Jocelyn opposite Heath Ledger, she gained instant recognition. She followed with 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002) as Erica, cementing her status as a rising star.

Her starring role in The Rules of Attraction (2002) earned critical praise, and she appeared in The Order (2003) with Ledger again. After a brief hiatus to raise her son, she returned with roles in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006), and The Holiday (2006).

Notable TV work includes Moonlight (2007–2008) as Coraline Duvall, How to Make It in America (2010), Mistresses (2013), Sleepy Hollow (2015–2016), and Wayward Pines (2015). In 2013, she directed and produced the short film The Day for Desire’s music video.

As a musician, Shannyn was the original drummer for Warpaint from 2004 to 2008, contributing to their debut EP Exquisite Corpse (2008). She left to focus on acting and motherhood but reunited with the band for a 2011 music video. Her DJing career, under the name DJ Scratchy, included gigs at LA clubs like Spaceland.

Recent projects include Backspot (2023) as Kate, High Holiday (2021), and Sinister Tales (2016). Sossamon’s selective roles reflect her preference for creative freedom over mainstream stardom, balancing acting with music and directing.

Awards and Nominations

2001: Teen Choice Awards – Nominated for Choice Movie: Breakout Star for A Knight’s Tale

2001: Teen Choice Awards – Nominated for Choice Movie: Chemistry (with Heath Ledger) for A Knight’s Tale

2002: MTV Movie Awards – Nominated for Best Breakthrough Performance for A Knight’s Tale

2002: MTV Movie Awards – Nominated for Best Kiss (with Heath Ledger) for A Knight’s Tale

2002: Young Hollywood Awards – Won for Breakthrough Performance – Female

Personal Life

Shannyn Sossamon is single and has never been married. She has two sons: Audio Science Clayton (born 2003) with former partner Dallas Clayton, a children’s book author, and Mortimer Sossamon (born 2011) with an undisclosed partner. She dated Clayton from 2002 to 2004 and has kept subsequent relationships private.

Shannyn resides in Los Angeles, prioritizing her children’s privacy and upbringing. Her sister, Jenny Lee Lindberg, is Warpaint’s bassist, and their close bond is evident in shared musical projects. Shannyn enjoys dancing, music, and a low-key lifestyle, often described as a “hippie” in interviews.

She faced challenges balancing motherhood with her career, taking breaks to focus on parenting. No major controversies have been reported, though her son Audio’s unique name sparked media curiosity. Her Libra zodiac sign and Chinese zodiac Horse reflect her artistic and free-spirited nature.

Filmography and Discography

Filmography:

A Knight’s Tale (2001, Film) – Jocelyn

40 Days and 40 Nights (2002, Film) – Erica

The Rules of Attraction (2002, Film) – Lauren Hynde

The Order (2003, Film) – Mara Sinclair

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005, Film) – Pink Hair Girl

Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006, Film) – Mikal

The Holiday (2006, Film) – Maggie

One Missed Call (2008, Film) – Beth Raymond

Life Is Hot in Cracktown (2009, Film) – Concetta

Road to Nowhere (2010, Film) – Velma Duran

The End of Love (2012, Film) – Lydia

Desire: The Short Films of Ohm (2013, Short Film, Director/Producer) – Herself

Sinister 2 (2015, Film) – Courtney Collins

Ghost Light (2018, Film) – Liz Beth Stevens

High Holiday (2021, Film) – Liz Corksey

Backspot (2023, Film) – Kate

Television (Selected):

Moonlight (2007–2008, Series) – Coraline Duvall

How to Make It in America (2010, Series) – Gingy Wu

Mistresses (2013, Series) – Alex

Sleepy Hollow (2015–2016, Series) – Pandora

Wayward Pines (2015, Series) – Theresa Burke

Discography:

Exquisite Corpse (2008, EP with Warpaint) – Drummer

Net Worth

Shannyn Sossamon’s estimated net worth is $3 million. Her income primarily comes from acting, with significant earnings from films like A Knight’s Tale and TV roles in Moonlight and Sleepy Hollow. Additional revenue stems from her Warpaint tenure, DJing gigs, and directing projects. Real estate investments, including her Los Angeles home, contribute to her wealth.