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Famous New Zealanders

Lucy Lawless

  • Born 28 March 1968 in Auckland, the fifth of seven children.
  • Full name Lucille Frances Ryan.
  • Attended University of Auckland, and studied opera before travelling overseas. Likes jazz and also plays the violin.
  • Married Garth Lawless in 1987, and had one daughter, Daisy. Divorced in 1995.
    Crowned Mrs New Zealand in 1989.
  • Studied acting at the William Davis Center for Actors in Vancouver in 1991.
  • Found international fame as Xena in the television series Xena: Warrior Princess, which ran from 1995-2001.
  • Has also appeared in guest spots on a number of television shows, including Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and The Simpsons, and movies.
  • Stage shows include Grease, playing Rizzo (1997), and in New Zealand, The Vagina Monologues (2002)
  • Remarried in 1998 to Rob Tapert. Has two sons, Julius and Judah, by this marriage.
  • Has homes in New Zealand and in Los Angeles.

Source: Metro (NZ), Mar 2003 Issue 261, p34