An actress with talent and poise, Emily Deschanel has built an impressive list of credits throughout her career, challenging herself with each new role.

She can next be seen starring in Anne Renton's independent comedy "The Perfect Family" opposite Kathleen Turner and Jason Ritter. Deschanel plays a successful lawyer who struggles with telling her religious mother she is pregnant and in a loving, committed relationship with another woman. The film recently premiered at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.

On the big screen, Deschanel starred in Nick Cassavetes' film "My Sister's Keeper," Jerry Bruckheimer's "Glory Road" opposite Josh Lucas, Derek Luke and Jon Voight, Anthony Minghella's "Cold Mountain," John Lee Hancock's "The Alamo," Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man 2," Stephen Kay's "Boogeyman" and Jane Weinstock's "Easy." Deschanel's television credits include guest appearances on "Crossing Jordan," "Providence" and "Law & Order: Special Victims  Unit," as well as the Stephen King miniseries "Rose Red."

A member of the Interact Theatre Company, Deschanel's theater credits include "Emily" in "Our Town" and "Natasha" in "Three Sisters."An animal-rights activist, Deschanel is passionately involved with the Farm Sanctuary, working to end cruelty toward farm animals and promoting compassionate living through rescue, education and advocacy. She is also involved with the Humane Society and Women for Women International.

Deschanel was born in Los Angeles and received her B.F.A. in Theater from Boston University.

Q&A: Emily Deschanel

It's 11am on a Sunday, where are you and what are you doing?
I'm waking up, hopefully! Usually I'm already awake, but in my fantasy, I'm still sleeping, just having a lazy day with no plans. There is always something I have to do, it's always scheduled. To have nothing planned, that's what I want.

If you could call dibs on any prop from the show, what would it be?
My Wonder Woman outfit from Season3, from the Halloween episode. I've always been a Wonder Woman fan, my sister just gave me a book, "Advise From Wonder Woman" or something like that.