Rachel Hannah Weisz, a British actress known for her diverse roles in both independent films and blockbusters, has had a prolific career that includes awards such as an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Laurence Olivier Award. Here’s a detailed look at her life and career:
Early Life and Family:
Rachel Hannah Weisz was born on March 7, 1970, in Westminster, London, England. She grew up in Hampstead Garden Suburb.
- Family Background:
- Father: George Weisz, a Hungarian Jewish mechanical engineer.
- Mother: Edith Ruth (née Teich), a teacher-turned-psychotherapist from Vienna, Austria.
- Her parents, both children of immigrants who fled the Nazis, emigrated to the UK before World War II.
- Maternal grandfather, Alexander Teich, was a Jewish activist and secretary of the World Union of Jewish Students.
- Her mother formally converted to Judaism upon marrying Weisz’s father.
- She has a younger sister, Minnie Weisz, who is a visual artist.
Education:
- Attended North London Collegiate School and then Benenden School for one year.
- Completed her A-levels at St Paul’s Girls School.
- Studied English at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where she graduated with upper second-class honours.
- Involved in various student dramatic productions and co-founded a student drama group called Cambridge Talking Tongues.
Career Highlights:
1990s:
- Stage Debut: Gilda in the revival of Noël Coward’s “Design for Living” (1994), winning the London Critics’ Circle Award.
- Film Debut: “Death Machine” (1994), followed by “Chain Reaction” (1996).
- Notable Roles: Miranda Fox in “Stealing Beauty” (1996), Greta in “Sunshine” (1999).
- Breakthrough: Evelyn Carnahan in “The Mummy” (1999) and its sequel “The Mummy Returns” (2001).
2000s:
- Diverse Roles: From playing Petula in “Beautiful Creatures” (2000) to Marlee in “The Runaway Jury” (2003).
- Critical Acclaim: Tessa Quayle in “The Constant Gardener” (2005), winning her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Theatre: Played Blanche DuBois in a revival of “A Streetcar Named Desire” (2009), earning a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress.
2010s:
- Continued Success: Roles in “The Whistleblower” (2010), “The Deep Blue Sea” (2011), and “The Lobster” (2015).
- Broadway: Starred in “Betrayal” (2013) alongside Daniel Craig.
- Award-Winning Performances: Sarah Churchill in “The Favourite” (2018), winning a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress.
- Marvel Cinematic Universe: Played Melina Vostokoff in “Black Widow” (2021).
2020s:
- Production: Founded LC6 Productions, producing films like “Disobedience” (2017).
- Upcoming Projects: Set to portray Elizabeth Taylor in “A Special Relationship” and star in “Love Child” and “Seance on a Wet Afternoon.”
Personal Life:
- Relationships:
- Dated filmmaker Darren Aronofsky from 2001 to 2010; they have a son together.
- Married English actor Daniel Craig in 2011, with whom she has a daughter.
- Citizenship: Became a naturalized US citizen in 2011.
- Fashion and Ambassadors: Featured on the cover of Vogue, muse to Narciso Rodriguez, and L’Oréal’s global ambassador in 2010.
- Interests: Learned karate for a role in “The Brothers Bloom.”
Rachel Weisz’s career has spanned across various genres, from action-packed blockbusters to critically acclaimed dramas. Her accolades and diverse roles showcase her talent and versatility as an actress. In her personal life, she has balanced family with a successful career, becoming a notable figure in both Hollywood and the world of fashion.