Rachel House

Active - 2002 - Present  |   Born - Oct 20, 1971 in Auckland, New Zealand  |   Genres - Drama, Comedy, Adventure

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Biography by AllMovie

An accomplished stage performer and an increasingly prolific face in the world of film, actress Rachel House studied her craft at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School before winning the 2003 Chapman Tripp Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress for her stirring performance in Enemy of the People and making a global impression in the Oscar-nominated international hit Whale Rider. While she may not necessarily possess traditional Hollywood good looks, House has an undeniably distinct persona onscreen and exhibits just the kind of charisma that could prove the foundation for an enduring career. New Zealand television viewers know House best thanks to her performance as a panelist on Maori Television's Ask Your Aunti and as a traveling circus member in the post-apocalyptic sci-fi fantasy series Maddigan's Quest, though increasingly prolific roles in such international releases as the quirky, Napoleon Dynamite-inspired Eagle vs. Shark have found her fan base rapidly expanding to all corners of the globe.

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Factsheet

  • Is of Maori and Pakeha descent.
  • Was raised in Kamo, Whangarei, New Zealand.
  • Started practicing ballet at the age of 5.
  • At the age of 19, she performed as a backup singer for the song Isabelle, by musician Greg Johnson.
  • After graduating from drama school, she performed in the Auckland Theatre Company and Pacific Underground Theatre.
  • Is skilled at piano.
  • Has provided training as an acting coach for actress Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne.