Amanda Michelle Seyfried (pronounced "sz-eye-Frid"; born December 3, 1985) is an American actress and former child model. She is known for her roles in the feature films Mean Girls, Mamma Mia! and Alpha Dog, and in the television shows Veronica Mars and Big Love.

Seyfried was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Ann, an occupational therapist, and Jack Seyfried, a pharmacist. She graduated in 2003 from Allentown's William Allen High School and subsequently enrolled at New York City's Fordham University. As a teenager, she appeared on the cover of three Francine Pascal books.

Amanda started her career as a model at age 11. From there she went on to acting in the daytime drama The Guiding Light. In 2000, she originated the role of Lucy Montgomery on As the World Turns. From 2002 to 2003, she played the role of Joni Stafford on ABC's All My Children.

In 2004, Amanda achieved a breakthrough when she was cast as the most dimwitted of the "Plastics", Karen Smith, in Read more...