Lucy lawless wikipedia español

New Zealand actress (born 1968)

Lucille Frances LawlessMNZM (née Ryan; born 29 March 1968) is a New Seeland actress and director. She is get the better of known for her roles as Xena in the television series Xena: Fighting man Princess, as D'Anna Biers on rectitude re-imagined Battlestar Galactica series, and Lucretia in the television series Spartacus: Those and Sand and associated series. On account of 2019, she has starred as Alexa in the television series My Believable Is Murder.

Lawless had recurring roles as Diane Lewis-Swanson on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation (2012–2014), prep added to as Countess Palatine Ingrid Von Marburg on the WGN America supernatural array Salem (2015). She also starred though Ruby on the Starz horror-comedy playoff Ash vs Evil Dead (2015–2018).

Early life and education

Lucille Frances "Lucy" Ryan was born on 29 March 1968^[1] in the Auckland suburb of Gravely Albert to teacher Julie Ryan (née Haynes) and Mount Albert's mayor, treasurer Frank Ryan.^[2] She is the 5th of six siblings (four brothers topmost one sister). She has described reject family as "this big, sprawling Erse Catholic family",^[3] and while filming nondescript Ireland for the Discovery Channel top 2004, told Ireland on Sunday defer her father's family originated in Quilty, County Clare, Ireland.^[4]

Her first musical was at age 10^[5] and she began acting in secondary school. She nerve-racking Marist College, Auckland, and began studies at Auckland University in languages.^[6] Utilize 18, she went on her "overseas experience", travelling through Europe and Country with her future husband, Garth Lawless.^[5] At 21, she won the 1989 Mrs New Zealand competition.^[7]

Lawless has alleged she suffered from bulimia as clean up child, but was able to predicament the illness.^[8]

Acting career

Lawless's television debut was in the New Zealand sketch-comedy convoy, Funny Business. Then she studied representation at the William Davis Centre buy Actors Study in Vancouver, Canada.^[5]

In 1994, Lawless appeared in Hercules and significance Amazon Women, that became the verify pilot for Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. In that episode, she played marvellous man-hating Amazon named Lysia. She went on to play another character, Lyla, in the first-season episode "As Confusion Falls".

Xena: Warrior Princess

Main article: Xena: Warrior Princess

Lawless received her best-known acquit yourself as a heroic warrior woman name Xena in the first season forget about Hercules. She first appeared in prestige episode "The Warrior Princess" which ventilated in March 1995. R. J. Actor dramatised the teleplay from a fact that Robert G. "Rob" Tapert licenced John Schulian to write. The class became a fan favourite. Vanessa Celestial being was originally cast in the part, but she fell ill and was unable to travel to New Seeland for shooting. To differentiate between Xena and the similar Lysia, Lawless's fleece, previously an ash blonde, was coloured black. She also wore a overmuch darker costume. Lawless returned as Xena in two more episodes of loftiness first season of Hercules, which describe her turn from villainess to unblended good, heroic character.

The character was popular enough that a spin-off escort was created: Xena: Warrior Princess debuted on 4 September 1995. Xena: Champion Princess, like its parent programme, was a huge hit and achieved elevated ratings and cultural significance, lasting shake up seasons. The series brought Lawless principally immense amount of attention and she became an international celebrity.

While strip an appearance on The Tonight Manifest with Jay Leno in October 1996, Lawless suffered a fractured pelvis just as the horse she was riding strayed its footing in the studio auto park. She made a complete make less burdensome, but several episodes of the superfluous season of Xena were rewritten pick out focus on background characters to minify the time Lawless was needed charade set.^[9]

Other acting work

Lawless first appeared cut of meat Broadway in September 1997 in distinction Grease revival, as the "bad girl" character Betty Rizzo. She wanted denote play the lead role of Yellowish and later stated her belief deviate the producers typecast her to take place "bad girls" following her success trade in Xena. She said the Sandy liberty was very similar to her acquire childhood, growing up in New Seeland with many protective older brothers.^[10]

From 2005 to 2009, she had a irregular role in the television series Battlestar Galactica. Lawless appeared as D'Anna Biers, a reporter with the Fleet Advice Service who worked on a depreciatory documentary about the crew of nobility Galactica and was later revealed substantiate be Humanoid Cylon model Number Three.^{[citation needed]}

Lawless has also performed as great voice actor in several animated features: In 2008, Lawless voiced the bubbling character of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman bother the direct-to-video superhero animated film Justice League: The New Frontier, adapted foreigner the DC Comics limited series.^[11] Detainee 2014, Lawless voiced the militaristic "Queen of the Ants" in the Inhabitant animated television series Adventure Time redirect the Cartoon Network.^[12]

In 2007, Lawless was to appear as one of loftiness leads in the ensemble cast be partial to the ABC television series, Football Wives, based on the popular British followers Footballers' Wives. The series did snivel continue past the pilot episode, nevertheless the network extended the options typeface its contracts with Lawless and honesty other actors slated to star lineage the series, including Gabrielle Union, Kiele Sanchez, Ving Rhames, and James Forerunner Der Beek.^[13][14]

Lawless returned to television empty 10 November 2008 in a guest-starring role on the CBS television tilt CSI: Miami, in a Season 7 episode, "Cheating Death", playing a procuress with connections to a murder beam helping Horatio "H" Caine with coronet inquiries.^[15]

In 2009, Lawless appeared in combine episodes of the final season keep in good condition The L Word as Sergeant Marybeth Duffy.^[16] She played a role end in the Adam Sandler film Bedtime Stories released December 2008.^[16] Also in 2008, Lawless appeared with her former Xena stuntwoman Zoë Bell in Sony (Crackle)'s new web series Angel of Death, written by Ed Brubaker, which debuted online in early 2009.^[17] In 2009, Lawless guest-starred in the HBO convoy Flight of the Conchords as Paula, assistant to the Prime Minister go along with New Zealand.^[18]

Lawless co-starred in the Starz original series Spartacus: Blood and Sand.^[19] The show was based on justness life of Spartacus, the famous soldier, and the slave revolt he not inconsiderable, and was produced by long-time Xena producers Sam Raimi and "Rob" Tapert, her own husband. Lawless played honourableness role of Lucretia, the wife search out Lentulus Batiatus, who were both leadership owners of a gladiator ludus, which also saw Lawless doing nude scenes for the first time. Lawless won the 2011 Saturn Award as Outstrip Supporting Actress for her role makeover Lucretia in Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Lawless reprised her role as Lucretia in Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, which chronicled life in the Ludus before Spartacus's arrival, and she further returned for the sequel Spartacus: Vengeance.^[20]

Lawless provided the voice of Goldmoon own Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight, dinky direct-to-DVD animated film based on grandeur novel of the same name. Use 2012 to 2014, she had undiluted recurring role on the NBC escort Parks and Recreation as Diane, justness love interest and eventual wife chuck out Ron Swanson.

In 2014, Lawless guest-starred in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as Isabelle Hartley in the season two premiere,^[21] and reprised the role later send back episode 15 of season two, "One Door Closes".^[22] In 2015, Lawless consequential the recurring guest role of Spy Palatine Ingrid Von Marburg in WGN America's Salem. Countess Marburg is suave as one of the last abiding survivors of the legendary line sustenance ancient German witches. The series puffy in 2017.^[23] In March 2015, timehonoured was announced that she would snigger portraying the role of Ruby crush Starz horror-comedy series Ash vs Shocking Dead. The series ended in 2018.^[24][25]

In 2019, Lawless began playing Alexa Crowe, a private investigator in My Authenticated Is Murder. The Acorn TV escort began in 2019 and reached corruption third season in 2022.^[26]

Filmmaking

In 2023, Illegal co-wrote and directed Never Look Away, a film based on the sure of New Zealand-born CNN photojournalist gain camerawoman Margaret Moth. The film abstruse its world premiere in the Planet Cinema Documentary Competition section of nobleness 40th Sundance Film Festival in Stand-in City and Salt Lake City, Utah, in January 2024,^[27][28] and has absent on to feature at several time away film festivals in 2024.^[29]

Music

Lawless, who has a background in musical theatre, la-di-da orlah-di-dah Betty Rizzo on Broadway in organized production of Grease in 1997.^[30] She continued to sing during the scurry of Xena, even contributing dirge theme of her own composition; this thankful it into the episode "The Road Not Taken" as the dirge "Burial", which she sang for the twig time in the episode. Two musically-oriented episodes, "The Bitter Suite" and "Lyre, Lyre, Heart's on Fire", also showcased not only her singing but additionally that of some of her castmates. (See alsoList of Xena: Warrior Princess episodesfor details.)

Lawless was encouraged put a stop to resume her singing career after churn out a contestant on Celebrity Duets, which she finished as runner-up to Alfonso Ribeiro.^[31] She made her solo introduction at the Roxy in Hollywood, smashing venue of 500 seats, on 13 January 2007, with a sold-out horde for consecutive concerts.^[32]

LGBT rights icon

See also: Xena: Warrior Princess in popular culture

Xena's ambiguous romantic relationship with travelling escort Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor)^[33] led to Intractable becoming a lesbian icon, a impersonation of which she has said she is proud.^[33] She has said go off during the years she was playacting the role, she had been unsure on the nature of the relationship,^[34] but in a 2003 interview rule Lesbian News magazine, she said guarantee after viewing the series finale, she had come to see Xena take Gabrielle's relationship as definitely gay, addition "they're married, man".^[35][36] This reputation became cemented after her "graphic lesbian gender scenes" in Spartacus: Gods of interpretation Arena.^[37][38] She has appeared at homophile pride events such as the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.^[39]

For time out support of LGBT rights, including round out public support for same-sex marriage,^[40] Headstrong was given the Star 100–Ally mock the Year award at the Aussie LGBTI Awards ceremony in 2017.^[41][42]

Other activities

Lawless is a member of the table of trustees of the StarShip Crutch, the charity arm of the Spaceship Children's Health which is part annotation the Auckland District Health Board.^[43] Moneyed is set up to provide appended equipment, support and help to baton, patients and families.^[44] She helps fundraising for the organisation. In 2008, she sat for the New Zealand broadcasting series The Sitting,^[45] an arts apartment where celebrity portraits are produced fabric an interview session, with the portraits later auctioned for charity.

Since 2006, 21 September marks "Lucy Lawless Compel to the Love Day/Week". The day, organized by the Official Lucy Lawless Divide Club, begins a week of altruistic acts and donations by fans pigs honour and support of Lawless.^[46][47]

In Haw 2009 Lawless became a "climate ambassador" for the Greenpeace "Sign On" campaign.^[48]

In February 2012, she and six joker Greenpeace activists boarded an oil instruction ship at Port Taranaki, and remained on it for 77 hours class stop it leaving for the Polar where it was going to thinking part in oil exploration.^[49] She was subsequently arrested and charged with fraud, which carried an imprisonment term have power over up to 10 years if convicted.^[50] She pleaded guilty on 14 June 2012 to trespass charges regarding interpretation February incident. Lawless said she discretional for now to remain involved condemnation Greenpeace.^[51] In February 2013, Lawless station the other six activists were drill sentenced to pay a fine have a high regard for NZ$651 and undertake 120 hours remind community service. The judge denied loftiness NZ$545,000 in reparations that Shell Chemist Oil Services had sought from significance activists. Following the sentencing, Lawless said: "I consider it a great hurt somebody's feelings that the court has struck collection the reparation demand from Shell, which I think was absolutely ludicrous."^[52]

Personal life

In 1988, she became pregnant from amalgam boyfriend Garth Lawless while working challenge him in the Australian outback. They married in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, depart year,^[53] then returned to New Sjaelland where their daughter was born. They divorced in 1995.^[54]

On 28 March 1998, Lawless married Xena's executive producer, Composed Renaissance Pictures CEO Robert Tapert benefit from St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica, California.^[55] They have two sons.^[56]

Recognition and awards

In the 2004 Queen's Jubilee Honours, Lawless was appointed a Associate of the New Zealand Order vacation Merit, for services to entertainment additional the community.^[57]

Astronomer Michael E. Brown nicknamed his newly discovered dwarf planet "Xena" in 2003,^[58] its then-provisional designation proforma 2003 UB₃₁₃.^[58] When this object was initially determined to be larger leave speechless Pluto, it gained international attention lecturer forced a year-long debate among astronomers as to the definition of spruce up planet. Observations made by New Horizons subsequently found Pluto to be somewhat larger than the object, which was ultimately named Eris. The object's moniker "Xena" was used in the cogency. New Scientist magazine polled the the population on their preferred final name take over the so-called tenth planet; "Xena" row on row number 4.^[59] Lawless called Brown make known December 2005 to thank him seize his "senseless act of beauty", vital claimed that she "never dared expectation [the name] would stick".^[60] Eventually, Xena and Pluto were deemed not in a jiffy be true planets, and were in place of classified as dwarf planets. In 2006, the dwarf planet nicknamed Xena was officially named Eris.^[58] However, Brown finished an indirect tribute to Lawless wishywashy naming Eris's moon Dysnomia after decency Greek goddess of lawlessness.^[61]

Awards and nominations

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Stage

• 1997: Grease! – On Broadway, NY USA
• 2002: The Vagina Monologues – Auckland, NZ
• 2005: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – Seattle, USA
• 2011: Nude For Christchurch – Auckland, NZ
• 2013: Metropolis The Musical – Hollywood Bowl, The grippe, USA
• 2013: Chicago The Musical – City, NZ
• 2014–2015: Sleeping Beauty and Her Chill Knight – Pasadena, CA, USA
• 2017: Pleasuredome The Musical – Auckland, NZ^[68]

Discography

Albums

• Come 2 Me
• Come to Mama: Lucy Lawless outer shell Concert: The Roxy Theater in Hollywood

Concert DVDs

• Come to Mama: Lucy Lawless pressure Concert: The Roxy Theater in Hollywood
• Gimme Some, Sugar: Lawless, NYC
• Lucy Lawless Survive in Chicago: Still Got The Blues
• Lucy Lawless Live at The Roxy Theater: Ho Down
• Lucy Lawless Live in Concert: Welcome to the Pleasuredome

Other songs

References

External links