Rachel Ward

Rachel Ward

Active - 1979 - 2019  |   Born - Sep 12, 1957 in Cornwell, Oxfordshire, England  |   Genres - Drama, Comedy, Mystery

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Biography by AllMovie

Former model, and daughter of the Earl of Dudley, actress Rachel Ward has appeared in several mainstream films and on television primarily during the 1980s. She attended Byram Art School in London before leaving at 16 to become a top fashion model who made many television commercials. In 1983 Ward, with her thick dark hair, husky voice, and large eyes, was voted one of the ten most beautiful women in the U.S. Although she had appeared in two slasher movies, she made her official feature film debut in Sharky's Machine in 1981. More films followed, but she didn't become really well-known until she starred opposite Richard Chamberlain in the popular television mini-series "The Thorn Birds." Ward disappeared from pictures for three years as she played wife to husband Bryan Brown, whom she met on the "Thorn Birds" set, and studied acting. She then reappeared in 1987, playing opposite her husband in The Good Wife. Though she has continued to work sporadically in films, she has yet to achieve true stardom.

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Factsheet

  • Her paternal grandfather was William Ward, the 3rd Earl of Dudley; her maternal grandfather was Giles Baring, a famous English cricket player.
  • Dropped out of art school at 17 to begin modeling.
  • Met husband Bryan Brown on the set of The Thorn Birds.
  • Has lived in Australia since 1983.
  • Became a member of  the Order of Australia in 2005 for her charity work.
  • Adapted and directed 2009's Beautiful Kate.