- Daughter of Caleb Deschanel and Mary Jo Deschanel.

- Sister of Zooey Deschanel.

- Graduated from Boston University’s Professional Actor’s Training Program with a B.F.A. in Theater.

- Lives in both Los Angeles and New York.

- Is good friends with Melanie Lynskey and Jorja Fox; both are supporters of PETA and the Humane Society.

- She owned a dog, a female Wheaten terrier, who now lives with her ex-boyfriend.

- She owns a duplex and lives with her sister, Zooey.

- Was bridesmaid at wedding of best friend Melanie Lynskey to Jimmi Simpson (14 April 2007).

- Interview magazine named her one of “6 Actors to Watch” in their annual “Young Hollywood” issue [October 2004].

- Her paternal grandfather was French and the remainder of her ancestry is Irish American.