[7][8] An only child,[5] Badgley attended Woolridge Elementary (where his mother served as a PTA president),[9] before he transferred to St. Christopher's School in Richmond, Virginia.

[11] As a child, Badgley was involved with the Seattle Children's Theatre and the Pine Nut Players community theater in Monroe, Washington.

[12] His mother supported his acting efforts, and worked various jobs (later beginning a business in jewelry design with Badgley's godmother, Jan Sneed).

[13][a] He was later accepted to the University of Southern California, but deferred admission due to contractual obligations,[10] later enrolling for two years at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.

[16] Badgley and his mother moved to California so that he could pursue an acting career,[13] and he recalls, in an interview, departing for Los Angeles at age 11.

[19] In 2002, Badgley starred in The WB's comedy-drama series Do Over as Joel Larsen, a 34-year-old man who gets a second chance to get his life right, thanks to a freakish accident that catapults him back to 1980 as a 14-year-old.

[23] His performance as Dan Humphrey was praised by audiences and critics alike, and earned him six Teen Choice Award nominations over the show's run.

Jason Gay of the Rolling Stone particularly complimented his characterization, writing that "while another actor may have played Dan as a blah straight man, Badgley imbued him with an occasionally obnoxious know-it-all-ness.

[50] In October 2019, Badgley was cast in the independent film Here Today opposite Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish,[51] which was released in May 2021 to mixed reviews from critics.

[61] He and Blake Lively appeared in an Obama commercial as part of MoveOn's Youth Vote program, which aired during Gossip Girl on The CW, MTV, and Comedy Central.

The show explores the awkwardness, anxiety, heartbreak, and self-discovery that defines adolescence by inviting guests to share their middle school stories.

[70] Featured guests have included Drew Barrymore, Conan O'Brien, Jenna Ortega, Leighton Meester, Rainn Wilson and Ariana Grande.

[81][82][83] In an interview, Badgley described how the BP oil spill prompted his exploration into the connection between justice and spirituality, and led him to the rainforests of Colombia and the teachings of Baháʼu'lláh and the Baháʼí Faith.