Rachel Weisz Actress Date of Birth: 07.03.1971 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of Rachel Weisz
2. Education and Early Career
3. Early Film and Television Roles
4. Breakthrough with 'The Mummy' and Subsequent Career
5. Personal Life

Biography of Rachel Weisz

Rachel Hannah Weisz was born on March 7, 1970, in the Westminster area of London, England, to inventor George Weisz and Edith Ruth Weisz. Her father, who has Jewish roots, was born in Hungary and fled to England with his family to escape Nazi persecution. Her mother has Italian and Jewish ancestry and was born in Vienna before moving to England. Rachel's younger sister, Minnie Weisz, is a professional artist. Growing up, Rachel was raised in a household that followed Jewish customs, and she considers herself Jewish.

Education and Early Career

Rachel attended the North London Collegiate School, followed by Benenden School for Girls and St. Paul's Girls' School. Her parents encouraged and supported their daughters' artistic pursuits, so Rachel and Minnie received professional education in creative fields. In 1984, at the age of 14, Rachel was offered a role in the film 'King David,' starring Richard Gere. However, she turned it down, surprising many as it could have been a launchpad for her career. Instead, Rachel chose to pursue education before building her career.

She studied at the University of Cambridge, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. During her time as a student, Rachel participated in numerous theater productions and co-founded the drama group 'Cambridge Talking Tongues,' which operated until 1993. In 1991, she won the Student Drama Award from 'The Guardian' for her performance in the improvised play 'Slight Possession' directed by David Farr, which was presented at the Edinburgh Festival.

Early Film and Television Roles

Rachel's professional debut happened on television in 1992 when she appeared in the telefilm 'Advocates II.' She then had roles in series such as 'Inspector Morse' (1993) and 'Heat of the Sun' (1993), as well as in the miniseries 'Scarlet and Black' (1993). In 1994, she added several projects to her resume, including her first feature film, 'Death Machine,' the telefilm 'White Goods,' the TV short 'Seventeen,' an episode of the series 'Second Screen,' and her first professional stage play, 'Plans for the Future.'

In 1996, Rachel portrayed the key character of Dr. Lily Sinclair in the film 'Chain Reaction.' Despite her efforts, as well as those of her co-stars Keanu Reeves and Morgan Freeman, the sci-fi action movie failed to make an impact. However, the following year, she starred in the film 'Swept from the Sea,' where she had her first leading role. The movie received positive reviews, and Rachel's performance was praised, solidifying her position as a talented actress.

Breakthrough with 'The Mummy' and Subsequent Career

In 1999, Rachel's career took a major leap when she appeared in one of the leading roles in the fantasy adventure film 'The Mummy.' The story of an ancient pharaoh and ordinary people fighting against him, with Rachel's character Evelyn 'Evy' Carnahan playing a crucial role, resonated with a wide audience. 'The Mummy' and its sequel, 'The Mummy Returns' (2001), are considered some of the highlights of Rachel's career.

From 1999 to 2017, Rachel Weisz appeared in numerous projects, including films such as 'Sunshine' (1999), 'Enemy at the Gates' (2001), 'About a Boy' (2002), 'Confidence' (2003), 'Runaway Jury' (2003), 'Constantine' (2005), 'The Constant Gardener' (2005), 'The Fountain' (2006), 'My Blueberry Nights' (2007), 'Definitely, Maybe' (2008), 'The Brothers Bloom' (2008), 'Agora' (2009), 'The Lovely Bones' (2009), 'The Whistleblower' (2010), 'The Deep Blue Sea' (2011), 'The Bourne Legacy' (2012), 'Oz the Great and Powerful' (2013), 'The Lobster' (2015), 'Youth' (2015), 'The Light Between Oceans' (2016), 'Denial' (2016), and 'My Cousin Rachel' (2017).

Her performance in the film 'The Constant Gardener' earned her the Screen Actors Guild Award, Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2006. Rachel's talent and versatility have made her one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood.

Personal Life

In 2001, Rachel began dating director Darren Aronofsky. They got engaged in 2005, and on May 31, 2006, their son, Henry Chance Aronofsky, was born. The couple announced their separation in the fall of 2010 but mentioned that they remained on good terms and would co-parent their son. In December 2010, Rachel started dating her co-star from the film 'Dream House,' Daniel Craig. They got married on June 22, 2011, in a private ceremony in New York City, attended by only four guests, including Daniel's eighteen-year-old daughter Ella Craig from his previous marriage and their five-year-old son, Henry Aronofsky.

On October 27, 2017, the biographical drama film 'The Mercy' will be released, which tells the story of yachtsman Donald Crowhurst, portrayed by Colin Firth. Rachel Weisz has a prominent role as Donald's wife, Clare.