Rachel Bilson’s parents wanted her to finish school before pursuing acting, even though she came from a family with deep roots in the entertainment business.
The actress, 45, reflected on that upbringing during an October 29 appearance on PEOPLE in 10.
Bilson rose to prominence as Summer Roberts on The O.C., which aired from 2003 to 2007. She later starred in Hart of Dixie from 2011 to 2015.
The conversation also turned to Briar Rose, the 12-year-old daughter she shares with former partner Hayden Christensen, and what Bilson would tell her if she wanted to follow her parents into acting.
Bilson Credits Her Family and Friendships of 30 Years
Bilson singled out her mother when discussing the influences that shaped her. Her father, Danny Bilson, is a writer, director and producer, and she credited his side of the family with teaching her how to approach the work. Their advice was to “do my job and do it well,” she told PEOPLE.
She has also held on to relationships outside her screen career. Some of her best friends have been in her life for three decades, and she named her brother and sisters among the relatives whose support she values.
Her First Acting Advice for Briar Was a Joke
View this post on Instagram
“Don’t do it,” Bilson initially answered. She quickly added, “Just kidding.” Her serious answer focused on kindness. Bilson said she already sees that quality in Briar and encourages her to bring it to whatever she does.
Bilson and Christensen have also sought to protect their daughter’s privacy. When they announced her birth in 2014, their representative told Us Weekly that they supported the No Kids Policy, which opposes paparazzi photographing celebrities’ children without permission.
Christmas at the Kringles Is Too Scary for Her Daughter
Bilson’s new holiday horror comedy, Christmas at the Kringles, opened in theaters October 30. She plays Julie Severson, whose family moves to a seemingly peaceful suburb and discovers that their neighbors belong to a dangerous Christmas-obsessed cult.
The combination of Christmas, comedy and horror appealed to Bilson, as did the involvement of director Kevin Lewis and costar Ron Livingston. She described accepting the role as a “very quick and easy yes.”
The cast also includes Donald Faison, Rob Riggle, Thomas Lennon and Arden Myrin. Bilson recalled laughing especially hard while working with Lennon and Myrin together.
Briar, however, won’t be seeing the film. Bilson said her daughter dislikes frightening or bloody material, and the movie contains both.