Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Blake Lively
Discover the career path of Blake Lively, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Blake Lively is an American actress who began her career with a role in the film *Sandman* (1998), directed by her father, Ernie Lively. Her breakthrough came with *The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants* (2005) and its sequel. She achieved widespread recognition for her role as Serena van der Woodsen in the CW teen drama *Gossip Girl* (2007–2012). During this time, she also appeared in films such as *New York, I Love You* (2008), *The Private Lives of Pippa Lee* (2009), *The Town* (2010), and *Savages* (2012).
1998: Professional Debut in Sandman
In 1998, Blake Lively made her professional debut in the film Sandman, which was directed by her father, Ernie Lively.
1998: Appearance in Sandman
In 1998, at age 10, Blake Lively made her professional debut in the film Sandman, directed by her father.
2005: Graduation from Burbank High School and cast as Bridget in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
In 2005, Blake Lively graduated from Burbank High School and was cast as Bridget in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
2005: Breakthrough Role in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
In 2005, Blake Lively had her breakthrough role as Bridget in the film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
2005: Release of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
In 2005, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was released, and Blake Lively's performance earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination.
2006: Co-starring in Accepted and minor roles in Simon Says
In 2006, Blake Lively co-starred with Justin Long in Accepted and had minor roles in the horror film Simon Says.
September 2007: Premiere of Gossip Girl
In September 2007, The CW's series Gossip Girl, based on the novel series by Cecily von Ziegesar, premiered, with Blake Lively playing Serena van der Woodsen.
November 2007: First Magazine Cover
In November 2007, Blake Lively's first magazine cover was the issue of CosmoGirl, where she discussed her time in high school and her career prior to Gossip Girl.
2007: Starring in Gossip Girl
In 2007, Blake Lively achieved stardom with her portrayal of Serena van der Woodsen in the CW teen drama television series Gossip Girl.
2007: Starring in Elvis and Anabelle
In 2007, Blake Lively starred in Elvis and Anabelle as Anabelle, a bulimic girl who hoped to win a beauty pageant.
November 2008: Box Office Success of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
As of November 2008, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 had earned over $44 million at the box office and had positive critical reception.
2008: Supported Barack Obama
During the 2008 United States presidential election, Blake Lively expressed support for Barack Obama and appeared in a pro-Obama commercial with Penn Badgley as part of MoveOn.org's Youth Vote program.
2008: Sequel to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
In 2008, Blake Lively reprised her role in the sequel to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
October 2009: Filming The Town
In October 2009, Blake Lively began filming her scenes for her role as Kristina "Kris" Coughlin in the 2010 film The Town.
2009: Appearance in New York, I Love You
In 2009, Blake Lively appeared as Gabrielle DiMarco in the romantic comedy New York, I Love You.
2009: Roles in New York, I Love You and The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
In 2009, Blake Lively had supporting roles in the romantic comedies New York, I Love You and The Private Lives of Pippa Lee.
September 17, 2010: Release of The Town
On September 17, 2010, the film The Town, starring Blake Lively, was released in the United States.
2010: Role in The Town
In 2010, Blake Lively took on a supporting role in the thriller The Town.
June 2011: Release of Green Lantern
In June 2011, the superhero film Green Lantern, in which Blake Lively played Carol Ferris, was released.
2011: Spokeswoman for Chanel
In 2011, Blake Lively became a spokeswoman for Chanel and their new Mademoiselle handbag.
2011: Creation of S'mores Cupcake for Sprinkles
In 2011, Blake Lively created a s'mores cupcake to be sold at Sprinkles bakeries.
2012: Supporting roles in The Savages and Gossip Girl ends
In 2012, Blake Lively had supporting roles in the film Savages and her role in Gossip Girl ended.
2012: Starring in Savages and becoming the face of Gucci Premiere
In 2012, Blake Lively starred in Oliver Stone's Savages and was selected as the face of the new Gucci fragrance, Gucci Premiere.
2012: End of Gossip Girl
In 2012, Blake Lively's role as Serena van der Woodsen in the teen drama Gossip Girl ended.
October 2013: Spokeswoman for L'Oreal
In October 2013, Blake Lively became a spokeswoman for L'Oreal.
2013: Chime for Change Campaign
In 2013, Blake Lively appeared in a video clip for Gucci's "Chime for Change" campaign to raise funds and awareness of women's issues.
2014: Launched Preserve
In 2014, Blake Lively launched Preserve, a digital magazine and e-commerce website featuring hand-made items selected by her.
2015: Starring in The Age of Adaline
In 2015, Blake Lively starred in the film The Age of Adaline, playing a woman who "stops aging after recovering from a near-fatal accident."
2015: Closed Preserve
In October 2015, Blake Lively closed Preserve, stating it launched prematurely and would be rebuilt.
2016: Starring in The Shallows and Café Society
In 2016, Blake Lively starred in the survival film The Shallows and the comedy Café Society.
2016: Starring in All I See Is You
In 2016, Blake Lively starred opposite Jason Clarke in the psychological drama All I See Is You, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
2018: Starring in A Simple Favor
In 2018, Blake Lively starred in the comedy thriller A Simple Favor.
January 31, 2020: Release of The Rhythm Section
On January 31, 2020, Paramount Pictures released The Rhythm Section, a film adaptation of the Mark Burnell novel starring Blake Lively.
May 2021: Lively to Star in Lady Killer
In May 2021, it was announced that Blake Lively will star in Lady Killer as Josie Schuller.
November 15, 2021: Release of Taylor Swift's "I Bet You Think About Me" Music Video
On November 15, 2021, the music video for Taylor Swift's song "I Bet You Think About Me", co-written and directed by Blake Lively, was released.
2021: Directing Taylor Swift's Music Video
In 2021, Blake Lively expanded her career by directing Taylor Swift's music video "I Bet You Think About Me".
2021: Launched Betty Buzz
In 2021, Blake Lively launched Betty Buzz, a line of non-alcoholic drink mixers.
April 2022: Directorial Debut with Seconds Adaptation
In April 2022, it was announced that Blake Lively would make her feature directing debut with an adaptation of the graphic novel Seconds by Bryan Lee O'Malley.
January 2023: Starring in It Ends with Us film adaptation
In January 2023, it was announced that Blake Lively would star in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel It Ends with Us as Lily Bloom.
2023: Launched Betty Booze
In 2023, Blake Lively launched Betty Booze, a line of alcoholic canned cocktails.
August 2024: Films top the box office
In August 2024, Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds became the first married Hollywood couple to have two separate films which they starred in top the box office on the same weekend since Bruce Willis and Demi Moore in 1990, as their respective films It Ends With Us and Deadpool & Wolverine occupied the number one and number two spots at the box office during the August 9–11 weekend.
2024: Launched Blake Brown
In 2024, Blake Lively launched Blake Brown, a cruelty-free haircare line.
2024: Starring in It Ends with Us and defamation controversies
In 2024, Blake Lively starred in Baldoni's romantic drama It Ends with Us, which became her biggest box office success but drew controversies resulting in lawsuits. She and Baldoni sued each other for defamation.
2025: Inclusion in Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People List and sequel to A Simple Favor
In 2025, Blake Lively was included in Time magazine's 100 most influential people list and sequel to A Simple Favor.
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