Born Katherine Evelyn Anita Cassidy on November 25, 1986, in Los Angeles, California, Katie Cassidy is an American actress celebrated for her dynamic performances across television and film.
She is the daughter of David Cassidy, a 1970s pop star and actor known for The Partridge Family, and Sherry Williams, a former fashion model.
After her parents’ relationship ended, Cassidy was raised by her mother and stepfather, Richard Benedon, in Calabasas, California.
Her family’s deep roots in entertainment; her paternal grandparents, Jack Cassidy and Evelyn Ward, were accomplished actors, and her uncles, Shaun, Patrick, and Ryan Cassidy, are notable figures in television and acting.
Cassidy graduated with honors from Calabasas High School in 2005 and briefly pursued modeling, including campaigns for Abercrombie & Fitch, before committing to acting.
Siblings
Katie has three half-siblings, namely Beau Cassidy, Jenna Benedon, and Jamie Benedon.
Beau, born in 1991, is her younger half-brother from her father’s third marriage to Sue Shifrin.
Like Katie, Beau has pursued a career in entertainment, notably auditioning for The Voice in 2014, where he performed Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky.”
Jenna and Jamie are Cassidy’s older half-sisters from her mother’s marriage to Richard Benedon.
Less is known publicly about their personal or professional lives, as they have largely stayed out of the spotlight.
Growing up in Calabasas, Cassidy was primarily raised alongside Jenna and Jamie, with Beau joining the extended family later.
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Career
Cassidy’s acting career began in 2003 with a debut role in an episode of the Lifetime drama The Division. She gained early traction with recurring roles on The WB’s 7th Heaven and UPN’s Sex, Love & Secrets in 2005.
Her breakout came in 2006, when she established herself as a “scream queen” with roles in horror film remakes, including Tiffany Madison in When a Stranger Calls and Kelli Presley in Black Christmas.
These performances led to a supporting role in the 2008 action thriller Taken and a stint as Ruby, a demon, in the third season of Supernatural (2007–2008).
In 2009, she starred as Trish Wellington in the mystery horror series Harper’s Island and as Ella Simms in the Melrose Place reboot, showcasing her range in both horror and drama.
Cassidy’s profile rose further with a recurring role as Juliet Sharp in Gossip Girl (2010–2012) and a lead role as Kris Fowles in the 2010 A Nightmare on Elm Street remake.
Her career-defining role came in 2012 as Laurel Lance / Black Canary in The CW’s Arrow, where she portrayed a lawyer-turned-vigilante across eight seasons.
She reprised the role in Arrowverse spin-offs The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and the animated web series Vixen, and later played the antagonistic Laurel Lance / Black Siren, a parallel-universe version of her character.
Beyond the Arrowverse, Cassidy has appeared in films like Click (2006) and Live! (2007), guest-starred on shows such as New Girl and Celebrity Apprentice 4, and ventured into directing with the upcoming comedy Daddy Issues.
Her multifaceted talents extend to music—she recorded a cover of her father’s hit “I Think I Love You” in 2002—and fashion, with her own clothing line and modeling work.
Accolades
In 2013, Cassidy was nominated for a Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress: Fantasy/Sci-Fi for her role as Laurel Lance in Arrow, reflecting her impact on the superhero genre.
The Arrowverse’s success, with Arrow running for eight seasons and spawning multiple spin-offs, owes much to Cassidy’s compelling portrayal of Black Canary, a character beloved by comic book fans.
She also received praise for her horror roles, with outlets like TVovermind noting her status as a modern scream queen for her work in When a Stranger Calls, Black Christmas, and A Nightmare on Elm Street.
In 2016, Cassidy won a PRISM Award for her performance in the TV movie The Wolves at the Door, which depicted a real-life crime story, recognizing her ability to tackle emotionally intense roles.
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