She Should Look Familiar To You

Now that the first season of MTV's new scripted series Finding Carter is underway, it’s time to learn more about the faces we will be seeing on the show every week. Cynthia Watros plays Elizabeth Wilson and she isn't new to the acting world. In fact, she’s been in Hollywood for a long time, since 1994 to be exact. Maybe you know her better as Young Celia Rhodes (Serena’s grandmother) from Gossip Girl or you saw her in a random episode of Grey’s Anatomy as a Seattle Grace patient, but you’ve definitely seen her at some point in your lifetime while watching TV.

Known for her soap opera roles, recurring guest spots, and even a web series, Watros isn’t exactly a household name, but she’s an actress that many people are bound to recognize. Someone who seems familiar from the moment she appears on screen, making you wonder where you’ve seen her before. Well, I'm here to help you figure that out.

Before we get to her long acting career, there are a few other things you need to know about Watros. She has twin daughters (just like her character on Finding Carter), she told MTV she would load her fro-yo with bacon bits, and she loves taking selfies.

Now, a look at Watros' impressive TV career.

1997-1998: Watros’ Soapy Days

In 1997 Watros landed her first recurring role, playing Annie Dutton on Guiding Light, one of the most villainous soap characters ever. The 24-episode role landed her a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in A Drama Series in 1998. That same year, she also filled in for an actress on Another World for a short time, playing Victoria Hudson McKinnon.

2000-2002: Titus

In the three season run of Titus on FOX, Watros appeared on every episode of the show as Titus’ dysfunctional girlfriend.

2002-2004: The Drew Carey Show

After Titus was canceled, Watros quickly landed her next role on The Drew Carey Show. When Drew’s on-again-off-again girlfriend Kate left the show, they cast Watros as Kellie Newmark, who became Drew’s new girlfriend and eventually had a baby with him. She was a main character for the last two seasons of the show's run before it went off the air in 2004.

2005-2010: The Lost Years

Between 2005 and 2006, Watros was surviving on the island with Hurley, Sawyer, and Jack. She played Libby Smith on the hit show for 21 episodes, and returned again in flashbacks and afterlife scenes. While shooting the show in Hawaii, Watros and her costar Michelle Rodriguez were pulled over and arrested for drunk driving in 2006. She plead guilty, paid a fine, and had to attend counseling.

2010-2013: Primetime Spots

After Lost, Watros appeared on House for a few episodes, portraying James Wilson’s first wife. She then appeared on various primetime shows for guest spots including Desperate Housewives, Hawaii Five-0, Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, The Closer, Gossip Girl, and In Plain Sight.

2013-2014: Back to Soaps and Web Series

Watros went back to her roots in 2013 when she was cast as Kelly Andrews on the popular soap The Young and The Restless. She even starred in a self-deprecating scripted web series called Cynthia Watros Gets Lost, in which she plays herself as a popular actress who is unable to find work. In an interview with Michael Fairman, Watros discussed the online comedy series. “That was just a fun little thing that I did just to make fun of myself," she said. "I love comedy and it was easy to do, and on the web, you can do something in one afternoon and then post it and it’s so much fun to do.”

And of course, you can now find Watros on MTV's Finding Carter, Tuesdays at 10 p.m.

Images: ABC; FOX; The CW