Isla Lang Fisher is an Australian actress and writer known for her roles in a variety of films, from comedies to dramas. Here’s a breakdown of her career and personal life:
Early Life:
Isla Lang Fisher was born on February 3, 1976, in Muscat, Oman, to Scottish parents Elspeth Reid and Brian Fisher. Her father worked as a banker for the United Nations at the time. Fisher’s family moved to Australia when she was six years old, settling in Perth. She attended Swanbourne Primary School and Methodist Ladies’ College in Perth. Fisher showed an interest in acting early on, participating in school productions like “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Career Highlights:
Early Career (1985–2001):
- Fisher made her debut in commercials on Australian television at the age of 9.
- Her professional acting debut came in 1993 with guest-starring roles in children’s television shows.
- Fisher played Shannon Reed on the Australian soap opera “Home and Away” from 1994 to 1997, earning critical acclaim.
Transition to Hollywood (2002–2004):
- Transitioned to Hollywood with “Scooby-Doo” (2002), playing Mary Jane.
- She starred in films like “Wedding Crashers” (2005) alongside Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson.
- Played roles in “I Heart Huckabees” (2004) and “The Lookout” (2007), showcasing her versatility.
Breakthrough (2005–2009):
- “Wedding Crashers” (2005) was a breakthrough role, earning her critical acclaim.
- Starred in “Confessions of a Shopaholic” (2009), showing her comedic talents.
- Voiced characters in animated hits like “Horton Hears a Who!” (2008).
Mainstream Recognition (2010–2013):
- Played significant roles in “The Great Gatsby” (2013) and “Now You See Me” (2013).
- Also appeared in “Rise of the Guardians” (2012) and “Bachelorette” (2012).
- Had a recurring role in “Arrested Development” (2013–2019).
Recent Work (2014–Present):
- Continued to work in various genres, including horror (“Visions” – 2015) and comedy (“Keeping Up with the Joneses” – 2016).
- Starred in “Nocturnal Animals” (2016) alongside Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal.
- Authored a series of children’s books called “Marge in Charge” starting in 2016.
- Appeared in “Godmothered” (2020) for Disney+.
Personal Life:
- Fisher met English comedian Sacha Baron Cohen in 2001 and they married in 2010.
- They have three children together, born in 2007, 2010, and 2015.
- Fisher converted to Judaism before marrying Baron Cohen and took the Hebrew name Ayala.
- She is involved in philanthropic efforts, including donations to Save the Children and the International Rescue Committee.
- Fisher identifies as a feminist and has spoken about her commitment to equality.
Throughout her career, Isla Fisher has shown her range as an actress, moving effortlessly between comedy, drama, and even voice acting in animated films. Her personal life, including her marriage to Sacha Baron Cohen and her commitment to philanthropy, reflects her multifaceted interests and passions.