Hilarie Burton Morgan
Biography
Hilarie Burton Morgan, born July 1, 1982, in Sterling, Virginia, is an American actress. She began her on‑screen career as a host of MTV’s Total Request Live before gaining prominence portraying Peyton Sawyer on The WB/The CW drama One Tree Hill, a role she held for six seasons from 2003 to 2009. After leaving One Tree Hill she appeared in the films Our Very Own, Solstice and The List. On television she has had supporting or recurring parts, including Sara Ellis on White Collar (2010–2013), Dr. Lauren Boswell on Grey’s Anatomy (2013), Molly Dawes on Forever (2014) and Karen Palmer on Lethal Weapon (2016). She also co‑hosted the Drama Queens podcast.
Career overview
Hilarie Burton Morgan was born on July 1, 1982 in Sterling, Virginia, USA. She began her on‑screen career as a host of MTV’s music‑video program Total Request Live before transitioning to scripted drama. In 2003 she was cast as Peyton Sawyer on the WB/The CW series One Tree Hill, a role she inhabited for six consecutive seasons through 2009.
Following her tenure on One Tree Hill, Burton expanded into feature film work, appearing in titles such as Our Very Own, Solstice and The List. She also returned to television in supporting and recurring capacities. From 2010 to 2013 she portrayed Sara Ellis on the USA Network series White Collar, and in 2013 she took on the role of Dr. Lauren Boswell on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. Subsequent guest arcs included Molly Dawes on the ABC drama Forever in 2014 and Karen Palmer on the Fox series Lethal Weapon in 2016.
In addition to her acting credits, Burton has taken part in podcasting, serving as a co‑host of the Drama Queens podcast. Her career thus spans hosting, long‑form television drama, feature film appearances and digital media collaboration.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Bloody Axe Wound (2024) Producer
- The Walking Dead: Dead City (2023) as Lucille Smith
- Good Sam (2022) as Gretchen Taylor
- True Crime Story (2021) as Self - Host
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- Friday Night In with The Morgans (2020) as Self - Host
- Friday Night In with The Morgans (2020) Executive Producer
- Dear Christmas (2020) as Podcast Caller (Uncredited)
- Tamron Hall (2019) as Self - Guest
- A Christmas Wish (2019) as Faith
- The Christmas Contract (2018) as Jolie Guidry
- Growing Up Smith (2017) as Nancy Brunner
- Lethal Weapon (2016) as Karen Palmer
- Summer Villa (2016) as Terry Russell
- Dinner at Tiffani's (2015) as Self
- Togetherness (2015) as Kennedy
- Surprised by Love (2015) as Josie Mayfield
- Last Chance for Christmas (2015) as Annie
- Extant (2014) as Anna Schaefer
- Forever (2014) as Iona Payne
- Black Eyed Dog (2014)
- Christmas on the Bayou (2013) as Katherine
- Naughty or Nice (2012) as Krissy Kringle
- The Walking Dead (2010) as Lucille Smith (uncredited)
- Bloodworth (2010) as Hazel
- Castle (2009) as Kay Cappuccio
- White Collar (2009) as Sara Ellis
- The True-Love Tale of Boyfriend & Girlfriend (2009) as Boyfriend
- The Secret Life of Bees (2008) as Deborah Owens
- Solstice (2008) as Alicia
- The List (2007) as Jo Johnston
- Normal Adolescent Behavior (2007) as Ryan
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as Lauren Boswell
- Dancing with the Stars (2005) as Self - Audience Member
- Unscripted (2005) as Hilarie Burton
- Our Very Own (2005) as Bobbie Chester
- The Tony Danza Show (2004) as Self
- 100 Scariest Movie Moments (2004) as Self
- One Tree Hill (2003) as Peyton Sawyer
- Pepsi Smash (2003) as Self - Host
- Dawson's Creek (1998) as Hilarie Burton
- TRL (1998) as Self
- The View (1997) as Self
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) as Self