You may recognize Chyler Leigh for her role as little sister Lexi Grey in Grey’s Anatomy, as Alex Danvers in Supergirl, or as Janey Briggs in Not Another Teen Movie. But she’s not just an actress – she’s been a teen model, a mother, and an advocate for recovery. Here’s an overview of her career and what she’s up to now.
By Jayne Turner – Staff Writer
Early Life
Though she was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 10, 1982, she was raised in Virginia until she was 12 and moved to Miami after her parents’ divorce with her mom and older brother. There, her mom remarried.
She was in eighth grade when she began acting and modelling. Getting her start in local television commercials and in Hall Pass, a teen news show, she grew to love the screen. In 1999, she and her mother moved to Los Angeles to develop her acting career.
Marriage
She met her husband at the age of 16 at auditions for a pilot of an unsuccessful WB series titled Saving Graces. Nathan West had his own place, a dream for young Leigh, who moved in with him, where they fell into a cycle of drug abuse.
Luckily, they recovered and were married.
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First Gigs
In 2001, she got the lead role in Not Another Teen Movie, which was a huge box-office success. Alongside that, she appeared in Marilyn Manson’s music video for “Tainted Love,” a song that appeared in the film.
At the age of 20, she was ranked number 65 on the Hot 100 Women of 2002 List with other recognizable names like Nelly Furtado and Scarlett Johansson.
She then went on to be cast in two short-lived Tv series: Girls Club and That ‘80s Show, which was inspired by, but not a spinoff of, That ‘70s Show.
Grey’s Anatomy
In 2007, Leigh first appeared on Grey’s Anatomy in the season 3 finale. Her character began as just a woman in Joe’s bar, but was later revealed to be Lexie Grey, half-sister of Meridith Grey. She became a surgical resident at Seattle Grace with the rest of the crew and sparked up a romance with Mark Sloane.
She continued to play the lovable Lexie Grey for five years, until the season 8 finale. If you’re a fan of the show, you remember how heartbreaking this plane crash episode was! She departed from the show to spend more time with her family.
Supergirl
From 2015 to 2021, she starred in Supergirl as the adopted older sister of the title character, Supergirl. Her character is a scientist and government agent. She has reprised this role on a handful of crossovers and Marvel universe programs.
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Apart from Acting
She and her husband, Nathan West, make music together under the name WestLeigh, performing original songs and covers. In fact, she has even joined him on several of his tours, bringing their collaboration to live audiences.
She supports The Thirst Project, a nonprofit in America that aims to bring safe drinking water to communities worldwide.
No matter what character you remember her as, she is sure to have had an impact on you. She will be featured in an upcoming episode of Books That Changed My Life hosted by Chris Collins, where she will discuss a book that changed her for the better.
