LUCY LAWLESS:
On March 29, 1968 in Mt. Albert, Auckland, New Zealand, Lucy Lawless, best known for her role as Xena on Xena: Warrior Princess, was born as Lucille Frances Ryan. Lucy often played rough and rode horses with her five brothers and one sister. Despite this, her lack of co-ordination gained her the nickname "Unco". Her father Frank Ryan, formerly the mayor of Mount Albert, is now the Chairman of Finance for Auckland City. Her Mother, Julie, is a homemaker and an active volunteer in their community. Lucy's jobs prior to acting include grape picking, gold mining and hosting a travel show.

Lucy attended the Auckland University, and studied opera for several years, even though she loves jazz music, and the violin. She studied acting at the William Davis Center for Actors in Vancouver, Canada in 1991, under the direction of actor William Davis, also known as the "Cigarette Smoking Man" from the hit T.V. series The X-files. There the foundation of her abilities was laid, and now she is not only known for her dramatic strength in Xena, but from her comedic ability on Saturday Night Live, and her talent for live performance from her role as Rizzo in the broadway performance of Grease.

Her remarkable acting talents are enhanced by her striking appearance, grace, humility and charm. She is 5'11" in height, and has naturally dark blond hair, which was dyed jet black for the role of Xena. Her piercing blue eyes and striking physique have not been unrecognized. Lucy was crowned Miss New Zealand in 1989, and in 1997 People magazine chose her as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. Despite mastering an American accent for her depiction of Xena, in person Lucy has a Kiwi accent. She also speaks German, French and some Italian.

Lucy has one daughter, Daisy (born on July 15, 1988), from her previous marriage to ex-husband Garth Lawless. They married in 1987, and divorced in June of 1995. Lucy remarried on March 28, 1998, to Rob Tapert.