Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Shailene Woodley

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Shailene Woodley made an impact.

Shailene Woodley is an American actress known for her roles in both television and film. She rose to initial fame playing Amy Juergens in the TV series "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" (2008–2013). Woodley further garnered recognition for her performances in movies such as "The Descendants" (2011) and "The Spectacular Now" (2013), earning a Golden Globe nomination for her work in "The Descendants".

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1999: Began Acting Career

In 1999, Shailene Woodley began her acting career with a minor role in the television film 'Replacing Dad'.

2004: Leading Role in A Place Called Home

In 2004, Shailene Woodley had a leading role in the television film 'A Place Called Home', earning a Young Artist Award nomination.

2005: Felicity: An American Girl Adventure

In 2005, Shailene Woodley appeared as the titular character Felicity Merriman in the television film 'Felicity: An American Girl Adventure', receiving another Young Artist Award nomination.

2008: The Secret Life of the American Teenager

In 2008, Shailene Woodley gained prominence for her starring role as Amy Juergens in the ABC Family teen drama series The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

2010: Co-founded All it Takes

In 2010, Shailene Woodley and her mother co-founded the nonprofit organization All it Takes, a youth leadership program.

2011: Feature Film Debut in The Descendants

In 2011, Shailene Woodley made her feature film debut in Alexander Payne's 'The Descendants', receiving positive reviews.

2011: Starred in The Descendants

In 2011, Shailene Woodley starred in the film 'The Descendants', receiving a nomination for her first Golden Globe Award for her performance.

October 2012: Cast in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Filmed White Bird in a Blizzard

In October 2012, Shailene Woodley was offered the role of Mary Jane Watson in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and filmed White Bird in a Blizzard.

January 18, 2013: The Spectacular Now Premiered at Sundance

On January 18, 2013, 'The Spectacular Now', starring Shailene Woodley, premiered at Sundance.

June 19, 2013: Cut from The Amazing Spider-Man 2

On June 19, 2013, Shailene Woodley was cut from 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' due to creative decisions to streamline the story.

2013: The Secret Life of the American Teenager Ended

In 2013, 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager', starring Shailene Woodley, ended its five-season run.

2013: Starred in The Spectacular Now

In 2013, Shailene Woodley starred in the film 'The Spectacular Now'.

January 20, 2014: White Bird in a Blizzard Premiered at Sundance Film Festival

On January 20, 2014, White Bird in a Blizzard, starring Shailene Woodley, was released at the Sundance Film Festival.

October 24, 2014: Wider Release of White Bird in a Blizzard

On October 24, 2014, White Bird in a Blizzard, starring Shailene Woodley, was released to wider audiences.

November 14, 2014: Hollywood Film Award for The Fault in Our Stars

On November 14, 2014, Shailene Woodley received The Hollywood Film Award for Hollywood Breakout Performance – Actress for her role in 'The Fault in Our Stars'.

2014: Starred in The Fault in Our Stars and The Divergent Series

In 2014, Shailene Woodley achieved wider recognition for her starring role as a teenaged cancer patient in the romantic drama 'The Fault in Our Stars' and as Beatrice Prior in the science-fiction trilogy 'The Divergent Series'.

2014: Starred in Divergent

In 2014, Shailene Woodley starred as Beatrice "Tris" Prior in the film 'Divergent', receiving positive reviews for her performance and the CinemaCon's Female Star of Tomorrow Award.

2015: Reprised Role in The Divergent Series: Insurgent

In 2015, Shailene Woodley reprised her role as Tris in 'The Divergent Series: Insurgent'.

2016: Played Supporting Roles in Snowden

In 2016, Shailene Woodley played supporting roles in the film 'Snowden'.

2016: Starred in Allegiant

In 2016, Shailene Woodley reprised her role as Tris in 'Allegiant', the penultimate film of The Divergent Series, which received poor reviews.

2016: Supported Bernie Sanders for President

In 2016, Shailene Woodley supported and campaigned for Bernie Sanders for president, organizing the Up to Us movement.

2017: Starred in Big Little Lies

In 2017, Shailene Woodley starred in the HBO drama series 'Big Little Lies', playing a sexual assault survivor, for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.

2017: Wrote Opinion Piece and Introduced 100 by '50 Act

In 2017, Shailene Woodley wrote an opinion piece for The Hill and introduced the 100 by '50 Act, advocating for renewable energy.

2018: Starred in Adrift

In 2018, Shailene Woodley starred in 'Adrift'.

2018: Starred in and Produced Adrift

In 2018, Shailene Woodley starred in and produced the biographical film 'Adrift', also receiving the Rising Star Award during the Deauville Film Festival.

2018: Took Calina Lawrence to Golden Globe Awards

In 2018, Shailene Woodley took activist Calina Lawrence to the 75th Golden Globe Awards as her guest, whom she met at Standing Rock.

2018: Speaker at Our Revolution National Town Hall

In 2018, Shailene Woodley was one of the speakers at a National Town Hall, titled "Solving Our Climate Crisis", hosted by Our Revolution founder Bernie Sanders.

July 2019: Became Greenpeace Oceans Ambassador

In July 2019, Shailene Woodley became an Oceans Ambassador for Greenpeace and studied the impact of plastics on marine life in the Sargasso Sea.

2019: Big Little Lies - Season 2

In 2019, Shailene Woodley continued her role in the second season of 'Big Little Lies'.

2019: Reprised Role in Big Little Lies Season 2

In 2019, Shailene Woodley reprised her role as Jane Chapman for the second season of Big Little Lies.

2019: Starred in Endings, Beginnings

In 2019, Shailene Woodley starred in the romantic drama 'Endings, Beginnings'.

2019: Supported Indigenized Energy

In 2019, Shailene Woodley supported Indigenized Energy, a nonprofit bringing solar energy and jobs to Native Americans, created by Cody Two Bears.

2020: Partnered with Karün for Sustainable Eyewear

In 2020, Shailene Woodley partnered with Karün to create a sustainable eyewear line using recycled waste.

2021: Supporting Role in 'The Mauritanian' and Small Role in 'The Fallout'

In 2021, Shailene Woodley played Teri Duncan in 'The Mauritanian' and had a small role in 'The Fallout', a dedication to her friendship with director Megan Park.

2021: Starred in The Mauritanian and The Last Letter from Your Lover

In 2021, Shailene Woodley played supporting roles in 'The Mauritanian' and starred in 'The Last Letter from Your Lover'.

2022: Joined GoodLeap's Advisory Council

In 2022, Shailene Woodley became an inaugural member of GoodLeap's Advisory Council, supporting sustainable living.

March 2023: UN Ocean Treaty Agreed

In March 2023, the UN Ocean Treaty, aimed at protecting 30% of the world's oceans by 2030, was agreed at the United Nations, fulfilling the desired outcome of Shailene Woodley's 2019 expedition.

2023: Appeared in 'Materia Viva'

In 2023, Shailene Woodley appeared in the Italian docufilm 'Materia Viva', discussing environmental care and activism.

2023: Joined Greenpeace in Paris to Demand End to Plastic Pollution

In 2023, Shailene Woodley joined Greenpeace in Paris, demanding a strong Global Treaty to end plastic pollution.

2023: Played Supporting Role in Ferrari

In 2023, Shailene Woodley played a supporting role in the film 'Ferrari'.

2023: Starring in 'To Catch a Killer' and 'Dumb Money'

In 2023, Shailene Woodley starred in 'To Catch a Killer' as Eleanor Falco, a troubled cop recruited by the FBI and appeared in Craig Gillespie's 'Dumb Money'. She also appeared in the Italian docufilm Materia Viva.

2024: Starring in 'Three Women' and 'Killer Heat'

In 2024, Shailene Woodley starred as Lisa Taddeo in 'Three Women' and in Philippe Lacôte's mystery thriller 'Killer Heat'.

2030: Protecting 30% of the world's oceans

In March 2023, the UN Ocean Treaty, aimed at protecting 30% of the world's oceans by 2030, was agreed at the United Nations, fulfilling the desired outcome of Shailene Woodley's 2019 expedition.