Hilarie Ross Burton is a famous American film and television actress and producer who is best known for her portrayal of Peyton Sawyer on the acclaimed WB/CW drama series ‘One Tree Hill’ in which she appeared in the lead role for a total of six out of the show’s 9 seasons between 2003-2009. Peyton has also gained acclaim for her work in several films including ‘Our Very Own’, ‘The List’, ‘Solstice’ and ‘The Secret Life of Bees’. Furthermore, Burton co-founded the production company ‘Southern Gothic Production’ along with James Burton, Kelly Tenney, Nick Gray, and Meg Mortimer.
Burton began her television career as a video jockey, co-hosting the MTV show ‘Total Request Live’. She has since appeared in recurring roles in several popular American television programs which include ‘White Collar’, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘Extant’ and ‘Hostages’. In 2016, Burton portrayed the role of Karen Palmer a DEA Agent in the Fox action show ‘Lethal Weapon’.
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Early Life and Education
Burton was born on 1 July 1982 in Sterling Virginia and the eldest child and only daughter of former Green Beret and antique collector Bill Burton and his real agent wife Lisa Burton. She was raised in a close knit-family in the city of her birth along with her three younger siblings, brothers named Johnny, Billy and Conrad Burton.
Burton completed her primary and secondary education and graduated high school in 2000 from the Park View High School in Loudoun County, Virginia where she served as a student council treasurer. She was also a vice-president and later president of the student council, became the cheerleading squad captain and the home-coming queen. She later attended both New York and Fordham University.
Career Rise
Burton made her television debut in 2000 in the capacity of a Video Jockey with MTV, co-hosting the music show Total Request Live (TRL) until 2004. She was also invited to present an award at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000. Burton made her acting and television debut in an episode of the WB show ‘Dawson’s Creek’ in 2002. Burton started gaining nation-wide prominence in 2003 when she was cast as an independent music artist and cheerleader Petyon Sawyer in the acclaimed WB drama ‘One Tree Hill’, appearing in 6 out of the 9 seasons from 2003-2009. She also graced the cover of Maxim, People and American Cheerleader Magazine. Burton’s portrayal of Peyton Sawyer earned her critical acclaim and three nominations at the Teen Choice Awards.
Burton made silver screen debut in June 2005 with the drama film ‘Out Very Own’ portraying Bobbie Chester with co-stars Allison Janney and Cheryl Hines. The film received critical acclaim and even received an award in “Outstanding Ensemble Acting” category at the Sarasota Film Festival. She also received acclaim for her work in films like ‘Normal Adolescent Behavior’ and ‘Solstice’ in 2007 and in 2008 appeared in films ‘The List’ and ‘The Secret Life of Bees’. Burton was cast in the recurring role of Sara Ellis in the USA Network drama ‘White Collar’ during the show’s second season in 2010 and was promoted to series regular in the third season of the show. She also appeared in recurring roles on the 9th season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, the 1st season of ‘Hostages’ and the 2nd season of ‘Extant’. Burton continues to make appearances as a guest actor on several episodes of American TV shows.
Hilarie Burton – Husband
Burton dated Ian Prange, the assistant director of One Tree Hill and the son of Greg Prange, an executive producer and married him in 2004. The couple divorced in 2009. The same year, Burton started dating actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan and gave birth to their first child, a son named Augustus in March 2010. She announced that she was pregnant with their second child, a girl, in September 2017.
Controversy – Allegation against Ben Affleck
Burton was allegedly groped by actor Ben Affleck while hosting MTV’s TRL in 2003, which was captured on camera. In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal of October 2017, when Affleck condemned the Miramax mogul, Burton received support from the masses who reminded Affleck of his own conduct with Burton. Affleck apologized to Burton for his behaviour in October 2017.
Hilarie Burton – Net worth
Burton has an estimated net worth of approximately of $1 Million.