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Rachael Harris

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other people with similar names, see Rachel Harris (disambiguation).
Rachael Harris
Harris at the 2017 WonderCon
Born (1968-01-12) January 12, 1968 (age 56)
Worthington, Ohio, U.S.
Other namesRachel Harris
Alma materOtterbein College
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
Years active1989–present
Spouses
  • Adam Paul
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2003; div. 2008)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 2015; div. 2019)​
Children2

Rachael Harris (born January 12, 1968)[1] is an American actress and comedian. The accolades she has received include nominations for an Independent Spirit Award and a Saturn Award.

In film, Harris has had lead roles as Susan Heffley in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series (2010–2012) and Linda White in Natural Selection (2011). She has also had notable supporting roles in For Your Consideration (2006), The Hangover (2009), Bad Words (2013), Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014), Old Dads (2023), and Mother of the Bride (2024).

In television, Harris has had main cast roles as Cooper on the ABC sitcom Notes from the Underbelly (2007–2008), Joanne Dunlevy on the Fox sitcom Surviving Jack (2014), Dr. Linda Martin on the Fox and Netflix fantasy series Lucifer (2016–2021), and Nora on season 1 of the Disney+ and Hulu horror series Goosebumps (2023). She had a recurring role as Sheila Sazs on the USA Network series Suits (2012–2019).

Early life and career

[edit]

Harris first time with the arts came during a first grade talent show, performing "Please Mr. Postman" by the Carpenters, winning the talent show with the performance due to her brother stuffing the ballots.[2]

Harris attended Otterbein College acting in drama plays such as 'night, Mother and The Cherry Orchard. A professor at the college recommended Harris do comedy instead of dramas but at first she did not agree with the suggestion as her intent was to be a stage actress.[2] Harris' first acting job during college was in Cincinnati on the showboat Majestic, playing Maria from The Sound of Music.[3] She graduated in 1989, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre.[4]

Harris then moved to New York City and secured a commercial agent. To earn extra money she worked as a hostess at restaurants along Broadway and the Upper East Side.[2] Meanwhile, she auditioned for theater roles eventually landing a job performing children's theater along the East Coast.[3]

Career

[edit]

Harris debuted on film in 1992 for Treehouse Trolls as the Treehouse Mom. She recalls the experience, "But Treehouse Trolls, that just came out of an audition in this shitty theater. Like, it wasn't even a theater. It was a room. Near Times Square. And I was like, "I hope this is a legitimate audition. I could be going in for a porn. I don't know"."[5] She debuted on television on SeaQuest DSV in 1993.

After moving back to New York, Harris' agent was moving to Los Angeles and recommended that Harris come along for commercials and TV. In Los Angeles she performed at the Tamarind Theatre.[3] After an appearance on Star Trek: Voyager in 1997, Harris went on to a recurring role in The WB's Sister, Sister through 1998.

A friend recommended Harris to come and watch the improvisational comedy troupe The Groundlings. She enjoyed the group so much she decided to take classes and eventually landed a gig with the main company in 2000.[3] She went on to teach for a time with The Groundlings school also.[6][7][8] Working with the Groundlings helped for mockumentary screenwriter and director Christopher Guest to notice Harris.[2] In 2000 she had a role in Guest's Best in Show.

In 2002 Harris made an appearance on Friends, I Love the '80s, and had TV commercial work which included ads for Avis and GEICO.[6][7] Amongst the early commercial work, this was credited as helping Harris land a career in Hollywood.[9] She had a stint as a correspondent for The Daily Show's 2002–2003 season which was considered a breakout role for her into comedy.[2] In 2003 she had roles in A Mighty Wind, Daddy Day Care, and started appearances on Reno 911! from 2003 to 2022.[7] In 2004 Harris hosted The Smoking Gun, made multiple appearances on such VH1 documentaries as I Love the '90s, Best Week Ever, The West Wing, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and an Expedia commercial.[6][2]

Harris played the supporting role of Kevyn Shecket, Kirstie Alley's personal makeup artist, on the Showtime series Fat Actress in 2005.[7] She was also in Monk, Kicking & Screaming, and commercials for Quaker Oats and T-Mobile.[7][2]

In 2006 Harris acted in Guest's For Your Consideration and became the voice of turtle Karolyn Slowsky in the Comcast Slowskys television commercials until 2009, with reboots of the commercial series in 2011 and 2019.[10]

Harris at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival

Harris had guest roles on The Sarah Silverman Program in 2007 and 2008 and played Cooper in the ABC sitcom Notes from the Underbelly from 2007-2010. In 2008 she was in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Desperate Housewives.

In 2009 Harris had a role in the comedy The Hangover, playing Melissa, the domineering, abusive girlfriend to Ed Helms's character Stu.[11] She also made an appearance on ABC's Cougar Town, playing Shanna, a woman who was the "nemesis" of Jules.[12]

In 2010 she was in The Good Guys, a Super Bowl commercial for the 2010 Census,[13] and Off-Broadway, she performed in Love, Loss, and What I Wore.[14] From 2010 to 2012, she played Susan Heffley in the original Diary of a Wimpy Kid film trilogy. On ABC, she made a guest appearance in the Modern Family 2011 episode "Caught in the Act" as Amelia, a restaurateur and mother to a playmate of Lily Pritchett. She also appeared in Suits from 2012-2019 as Sheila Sazs, Louis Litt's on-and-off again love interest. She was in an episode of The Office in 2013.

In March 2014, Harris began a new role in the series Surviving Jack with Chris Meloni.[15] In March 2015, Harris was cast as Linda, Lucifer's therapist in the Netflix original series Lucifer.[16]

In 2018, Harris appeared alongside Cheryl Hines on the reality series Hell's Kitchen where they both sat in the blue team's chef's table in the episode "Hell Freezes Over".

Personal life

[edit]

Harris was born in Worthington, Ohio. She graduated from Worthington High School in 1986.[17]

Harris was married to actor Adam Paul from 2003 until their divorce in 2008.[18] Harris and violinist Christian Hebel eloped on April 30, 2015, and married in New York City. They have two sons, born in 2016 and 2018.[19] Harris filed for divorce from Hebel in 2019.[20][21]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1992 Treehouse Trolls Treehouse Mom First acting role, VHS Video[5][22]
1996 The Disappearance of Kevin Johnson Fornaio Waitress #2
2000 Best in Show Winky's Party Guest
2002 Showtime Teacher
Stuart Little 2 Additional voices
2003 A Mighty Wind Steinbloom's Assistant
Daddy Day Care Co-Worker Elaine
The Haunted Mansion Mrs. Coleman
2004 Starsky & Hutch Mrs. Feldman's Friend
After the Sunset June
2005 Kicking & Screaming Ann Hogan
2006 For Your Consideration Debbie Gilchrist
2007 Matters of Life and Dating Carla
License to Wed Janine
Evan Almighty Ark Reporter
2009 The Hangover Melissa
The Soloist Leslie Bloom
2010 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Susan Heffley
2011 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
Natural Selection Linda
2012 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Susan Heffley
Wreck-It Ralph Deanna Voice
2013 Bad Words Eric Tai's Mother
2014 Lovesick Roberta
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Madeline Phelps
2015 Barely Lethal Mrs. Larson
Freaks of Nature Mrs. Mosely
2016 Brother Nature Aunt Pam
2019 International Falls Dee
2023 Old Dads Dr. Lois Shmieckel-Turner
2024 Unfrosted Anna Cabana
Mother of the Bride Janice

Television

[edit]
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1993 SeaQuest DSV Rose 1 episode
1997 Star Trek: Voyager Martis Episode: "Before and After"
1998 Sister, Sister Simone 5 episodes
1999 Serial Experiments Lain Female Knight Voice: English version
2000 The Amanda Show 1 episode
Two Guys and a Girl Pregnant Damsel 1 episode
2001 Grosse Pointe Reporter 1 episode
Three Sisters Sal 1 episode
2002–2003 The Daily Show Correspondent
2002 Judging Amy Alumni Volunteer #2 1 episode
Friends Julie Episode: "The One Where Rachel Has a Baby (Part 1)"
2003 Frasier Erin Episode: "Guns N' Neuroses"
Stuart Little Margalo Episode: "A Model Driver"
2003–2009 Reno 911! Debbie Dangle-Frost, Claire the Madam 6 episodes
2004 Curb Your Enthusiasm Joanne 2 episodes
According to Jim Mindy 1 episode
The West Wing Corrine McKenna Episode: "The Hubbert Peak"
2005 Fat Actress Kevyn Shecket 7 episodes
Monk Alice Westergren Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Secret Santa"
Committed Ruby 1 episode
8 Simple Rules Margaret Brandenbauerbern 1 episode
2007 The New Adventures Of Old Christine Claire 1 episode
Notes from the Underbelly Cooper Main cast
Matters of Life and Dating Carla TV movie
2007–2008 The Sarah Silverman Program School Teacher 2 episodes
2008 Desperate Housewives Sandra Birch Episode: "City on Fire"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Megan 1 episode - Two and a Half Deaths
Pushing Daisies Georgeann Heaps 1 episode
Suburban Shootout Natalie Davenport Pilot
Hollywood Residential Rachael Voice, 3 episodes
Frisky Dingo A.L.E.X. 2 episodes
Emily's Reasons Why Not Lila Cox-Weiner 1 episode
2008–2009 Worst Week Julie 2 episodes
2008–2010 The Life & Times of Tim Adam's Date Voice, 3 episodes
2009 Cougar Town Shanna 1 episode
True Jackson, VP Kitty Monreaux 1 episode
In the Motherhood Blair 5 episodes
2010 My Boys Marcia 3 episodes
Glenn Martin, DDS Melissa the Wedding Planner Voice, 1 episode
Childrens Hospital Mrs. Throman 1 episode
The Good Guys Cynthia Savage 1 episode
Party Down Marguerite Tayler 1 episode
Gary Unmarried Rachael 1 episode
2011 Modern Family Amelia Episode: "Caught in the Act"
Archer Rona Thorne 1 episode
$#*! My Dad Says Soledad Cho 1 episode
2012 New Girl Tanya Lamontagne 4 episodes
Happy Endings Suzanne Episode "Sabado Free-Gante"
2013 Newsreaders Wendy Hayflack 1 episode
The Office Rachael 1 episode
2012–2019 Suits Sheila Sazs 27 episodes (Guest: seasons 2–5; Recurring: seasons 7–9)
2014 Surviving Jack Joanne Dunlevy Series regular
Maron Herself 1 episode
Bad Judge Dana McCoy 1 episode
2015 Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street Mayor 1 episode
BoJack Horseman Cardigan Burke (voice) 1 episode
RuPaul's Drag Race Herself/Judge 1 episode
2016–2021 Lucifer Dr. Linda Martin Main cast
2018 Hell's Kitchen Herself Co-VIP guest diner for the blue team; Episode: "Hell Freezes Over"
2020 Make It Work! Herself Television special
2022 Ghosts Sheryl 1 episode
2023 Fantasy Island Tara Bendetti 1 episode
2023 Goosebumps Nora Main role (Season 1)

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2012 Independent Spirit Awards Best Female Lead Natural Selection Nominated
2022 Saturn Awards Best Guest Starring Role on Television Ghosts Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "UPI Almanac for Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020". United Press International. January 12, 2020. Archived from the original on January 13, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020. …actor Rachael Harris in 1968 (age 52)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Kuhn, Sarah (2010-03-17). "People Person". Backstage. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  3. ^ a b c d Volpe, Allie (2021-05-11). "'Lucifer' Star Rachael Harris Has Made a Career of Defying Expectations". Backstage. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  4. ^ "Rachael Harris Biography". Tvguide.com. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  5. ^ a b Harris, Will (March 22, 2012). "Rachel Harris". AV Club. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c Alper, Aaron (March 2005). "Rachael Harris Sounds Off". Tampa Bay Times. AaronAlper.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2006-07-14.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Rachael Harris: Celebrity: Biography". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on 2020-10-14. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  8. ^ "The Groundlings Alumni". The Groundlings. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  9. ^ "Rachael Harris credits commercial work for Hollywood start". USA TODAY. 2016-10-14. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  10. ^ Smiley, Minda (2019-05-23). "Comcast Brings Back Beloved Turtles That Live Life in the Slow Lane". Adweek. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  11. ^ "lonokenews.net – Archives". Lonokedemocrat.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-30. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  12. ^ O'Connor, Mickey. "Rachael Harris Signs On to Cougar Town". TVGuide.com.
  13. ^ "Census 2010 – Ed Begley Jr". Spike.com. 2010-02-07. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  14. ^ Fullerton, Krissie (2010-05-28). "PHOTO CALL: Love, Loss, and What I Wore Celebrates New Cast". Playbill. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  15. ^ Rodman, Sarah (2014-03-26). "In 'Surviving Jack', Meloni slips comfortably into comedy". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  16. ^ Yohannes, Alamin (March 14, 2015). "D.B. Woodside And Rachael Harris Board 'Lucifer'". DCtvuniverse.com.
  17. ^ "Rachael Harris Biography". Tvguide.com. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  18. ^ "How A 'Painful' Divorce Helped Rachael Harris Nab Her New Role". HuffPost. 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  19. ^ "Actress Rachael Harris, 48, Welcomes a Baby Boy!". Life & Style. August 10, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  20. ^ Corinthios, Aurelie (August 22, 2019). "Lucifer's Rachael Harris Files for Divorce from Christian Hebel After 4 Years of Marriage". People. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  21. ^ Calvario, Liz (August 22, 2019). "'Lucifer' Star Rachael Harris and Husband Christian Hebel Divorcing After 4 Years of Marriage". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  22. ^ "TROLLS: A World Tour of Cursed Toy Cartoons & Movies Reviewed (@RebelTaxi)". YouTube. RebelTaxi. 2020-03-24. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
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