Rachel Weisz was born on March 7, 1970 in London. As she was growing up, she started modelling at the age of 14. She was offered to star in King David, together with Richard Gere, but she turned it down. She graduated from Trinity Hall, Cambridge with Bachelor of Arts degree in English. At university she played in various production and co founded a student drama group, which won a Student Drama Award in 1991. She has remained active on the stage throughout her career. Her first appearance on TV was in 1992 on Advocates II and a role in an episode of Inspector Morse. Her first big role was together with Keanu Reeves and Morgan Freeman in Chain Reaction. Her breakthrough came when she starred in The Mummy, opposite of Brendan Frasier, she also appeared in the sequel. Other movies in her career were Beautiful Creatures, The Runaway Jury, About a Boy, Constantine, The Constant Gardener, The Fountain, The Brothers Bloom and Dream House.
What’s your favorite Rachel Weisz role?
I loved her in The Constant Gardener and About a Boy. I’ve only seen a handful of her films, so definitely checking out more of her work.
Yeah, I thought she was great in The Constant Gardener as well. I have not seen a huge number of movies of hers either, but I think she always gives solid performances.
Really like Rachel Weisz. One of the few actresses I can honestly say I enjoy watching. Though, think my favourite role of hers is Evelyn in The Mummy.
The Mummy is such a fun movie to watch.
The first movie I saw her in was “The Mummy” (which I still love). However, I think one of her best performances to date (and my favorite) is “The Shape of Things” opposite Paul Rudd. It’s alittle known indie based off of a play that is phenomenal.
I think it was The Mummy for me as well. I must admit I have not seen The Shape of Things, but as I quite like Rudd’s performances I might have to check that one out!
For me, it’s The Brothers Bloom. She is so funny in that film.
Oh yeah, a movie which I really loved and she played such an eccentric character in that one!
I haven’t seen some of her “biggest” films, but my favorite performance from her is in The Fountain.
I can not remember much of the Fountain (was not really into that movie), but she usually is excellent.
Nice post! I think my favorite of her roles is in The Constant Gardener.
Yeah, it was such an unforgettable film.
I like her in The Mummy from her earlier roles, but my fave is probably The Constant Gardener and The Whistleblower.
Have not seen The Whistleblower, but I liked her in those other roles. She has proven she can do both drama and comedy.
I definitely have to go with ‘The Shape of Things’ (2003) – the last of writer/director Neil LaBute’s dark social commentaries (including ‘In the Company of Men’ (1997) and ‘Your Friends & Neighbors’ (1998)) before he became a Hollywood hired gun (‘Nurse Betty’ (2000), ‘Poessession’ (2002), The Wicker Man’ remake (2006), ‘Lakeview Terrace’ (2008), ‘Death at a Funeral’ (2010)). Those three films are definitely an acquired taste, but I never looked at Rachel Weisz again after that film.
Thanks for you comment Steven. So you don’t like Rachel Weisz anymore if I understand correctly?
No. It’s just that whenever I see her in a film, I immediately start thinking of her character in The Shape of Things – for better or for worse. I don’t really want to give anything away if you haven’t seem the film. But for one reason or another, that role became a defining one for me personally.
That clears it up. Have not seen The Shape of Things yet.