Lily Rabe Biography

Lily Rabe (born June 29, 1982) is an American actress. She is best known for playing Portia in the Shakespeare in the Park production of William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, and in her roles in each season of the FX anthology series American Horror Story.

Early life

Rabe was born in New York City, New York, the daughter of the late actress Jill Clayburgh and playwright David Rabe. She attended Northwestern University and the Hotchkiss School.

Career

Rabe's Broadway credits include a revival of Steel Magnolias, as well as An American Plan in 2008. In the fall of 2005, she appeared in MCC's production of Colder Than Here. In 2006, her performance in George Bernard Shaw's Heartbreak House was praised by New York Times critic Charles Isherwood. Rabe has appeared in the films Never Again, Mona Lisa Smile, and as Bernadette in No Reservations and The Toe Tactic. She also appeared in two episodes of Medium in 2008, as a serial killer working under the guise of a victim. She was seen in the 2010 film All Good Things.

In June and July 2010, Rabe played Portia in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice in Central Park in New York City, in the famed Shakespeare in the Park series of productions. She starred opposite Al Pacino as Shylock in a performance described as a "smashing break-out". For this performance, Rabe was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in Play. She continued in the role of Portia when the play opened at the Broadhurst Theater in November 2010, and continued in this role into 2011. On December 21, 2010, she discussed the role on Charlie Rose. Rabe took on the role of Nora in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House at the 2011 Williamstown Theatre Festival. She played Nora Montgomery on the first season of the FX show American Horror Story, and Sister Mary Eunice on the second season. She was one of seven actors from the first season of the show to return for the second season as a completely new character.

Rabe appeared at the Golden Theatre in the new Broadway play Seminar by Theresa Rebeck. It was directed by Sam Gold, and the cast included Alan Rickman, Jerry O'Connell, Hamish Linklater and Hettienne Park. It opened on November 20, 2011, and closed May 6, 2012. She finished work in the Public Theater's production of As You Like It, part of the 50th Season of Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theatre. She played the role of Rosalind in the production that opened on June 11, 2012 and closed on June 30th, 2012.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2001	Never Again	Tess
2003	Mona Lisa Smile	Art History student
2006	A Crime	Sophie
2007	No Reservations	Bernadette
2008	What Just Happened	Dawn
2008	The Toe Tactic	Mona Peek
2009	Last of the Ninth	Mary Byrne	Television movie
2010	Weakness	Katharine Browne
2010	All Good Things	Deborah Lehrman
2011	Letters from the Big Man	Sarah
2011	Exit Strategy	Natalie Clayton	Television movie
2012	Redemption Trail	Anna Cole
2013	Aftermath	Samantha
2013	The First	Mary Pickford	pre-production
2014	The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt.1	Commander Lyme	pre-production
2015	The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt.2	Commander Lyme	pre-production

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2005	Law & Order: Criminal Intent	Siena Boatman	Episode: "Scared Crazy"
2006	Law & Order: Special Victims Unit	Nikki	Episode: "Recall"
2008	Nip/Tuck	Lanie Ainge	Episode: "Kyle Ainge"
2008	Medium	Joanna Wheeler	2 episodes
2010	Saving Grace	Sarah Cullen	Episode: "You Can't Save Them All, Grace"
2010	Law & Order	Andrea Wheaton	Episode: "Crashers"
2011-2013	The Good Wife	Petra Moritz	2 episodes
2011	American Horror Story: Murder House	Nora Montgomery	7 episodes
2012-2013	American Horror Story: Asylum	Sister Mary Eunice	10 episodes Nominated"?Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Movie/Miniseries Supporting Actress
2013	American Horror Story: Coven	Misty Day

Stage

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2005	Steel Magnolias	Annelle	Nominated"?Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
2006	Heartbreak House	Ellie Dunn
2009	The American Plan	Lili Adler
2010	The Merchant of Venice	Portia	Nominated"?Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play Nominated"?Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play
2011	Seminar	Kate
2011	A Doll's House	Nora
2012	As You Like It	Rosalind
2013	Miss Julie	Julie