Perky actress Beth Behrs found fame as an heiress-turned-waitress on the CBS comedy "2 Broke Girls" (2011- ), which became a surprise hit for the network and made stars of Behrs and her "Broke" cohort, Kat Dennings. A former Miss Marin County, Behrs spent years honing her acting chops onstage and screen. After studying acting at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, she landed a role in the straight-to-DVD sequel "American Pie: The Book of Love" (2009). From there, she moved on to small roles on "NCIS: Los Angeles" (CBS, 2009- ) and "Castle" (ABC, 2009- ), as well as in several independent films before scoring her big break on "2 Broke Girls," where she charmed viewers with her portrayal of the down-and-out rich girl serving up burgers on the other side of the tracks. A talented actress with impeccable comic timing, Behrs was poised to become a formidable Hollywood talent.
Beth Behrs was born on Dec. 26, 1985 in Lancaster, PA and raised in Lynchberg, VA. Her father, a college president, moved the family to Marin County in the San Francisco Bay Area when Behrs was 15, where she was accepted into the prestigious drama program at Tamalpais High School. A lifelong performer who began in theater at age four, the teenaged Behrs studied at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, where she was classically trained as a singer. In 2002, she was named a California Arts Scholar and spent her summer break studying acting with Academy Award winner Helen Hunt at Cal Arts in Valencia. With some stage experience, print ads and commercials under her belt, Behrs set out to study acting at UCLA in 2004. The following summer, she elevated her Northern California fame by playing Sandy in San Francisco's Ray of Light Theater's production of "Grease" (2005); she was also named Miss Marin County in 2006.
Back at UCLA, she began auditioning for roles during her senior year, and landed a coveted Young Musician's Foundation Vocal Scholarship upon graduation. With little onscreen experience under her belt, she was next cast in the straight-to-DVD "American Pie" sequel, "The Book of Love" (2009). Though the film did not exactly showcase Behrs' talents as an actress, it did give her some industry traction. Her next role, as an alien in the independent film "Route 30, Too!" (2010) led to parts on the procedural "NCIS: Los Angeles" in 2010 followed by "Castle." Behrs was also cast in the Internet crime movie "Chasing Eagle Rock" (2011) and "Serial Buddies" (2011), entertainment journalist Mario Menounos' indie film about a group of inept serial killers, which also starred Christopher Lloyd and Kathy Lee.
Behrs became an overnight TV star after scoring the co-lead role on the sitcom "2 Broke Girls" (CBS, 2011- ). She beat out more established actresses for the role of Caroline Channing, an Upper East Side heiress-cum-waitress in a Brooklyn greasy spoon who needs fast cash after her father ends up in jail for financial crimes. There she meets Max Black (Kat Dennings) and the two form a fast friendship and concoct a money-raising scheme in order to open their own cupcake business. Though initial airings received lukewarm reviews, the show achieved the highest ratings for a fall premiere comedy series since 2001 and it quickly became a highlight on the CBS schedule.
By Elizabeth Kiefer