Amanda Setton

New York-born actress of Syrian-Jewish descent on her father's side, known for her roles on Gossip Girl, One Life to Live and The Mindy Project.

Who is Amanda Setton?

Amanda Setton is an American actress known for her roles on Gossip Girl, One Life to Live and The Mindy Project. She is of Syrian-Jewish descent on her father’s side, part of the large and close-knit Syrian Jewish community of New York.

Family

Amanda Setton was born on 16 December 1985 in New York City. Her father’s family are Syrian Jews, part of the community that came to New York from Aleppo and Damascus in the early twentieth century and built one of the largest Sephardic communities in the United States; her mother’s family is Ashkenazi.

Career

She became known for playing Penelope Shafai on the drama Gossip Girl, and went on to roles as Kimberly Andrews on the soap opera One Life to Live and Shauna Dicanio on the comedy The Mindy Project. She later appeared in the series The Brave and on General Hospital, among other television and film roles.

Legacy

Amanda Setton is one of a number of performers from New York’s Syrian Jewish community, a community that has preserved its Aleppo traditions, its liturgy and its food for more than a century while its members have made their mark in American business, culture and entertainment.