Elizabeth Reaser
{{Short description|American actress (b. 1975)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Elizabeth Reaser
| image = Elizabeth Reaser Comic-Con 2011.jpg
| caption = Reaser in July 2011
| birth_name = Elizabeth Ann Reaser
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|07|02}}
| birth_place = Bloomfield, Michigan, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| education = Oakland University
Juilliard School (BFA)
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 1998–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Bruce Gilbert|2023}}
}}
Elizabeth Ann Reaser (born July 2, 1975){{cite web|url= https://twitter.com/reasereaser/status/1139966575987965952|title=Thank you for all the sweet birthday wishes but my bday is July 2.| access-date=June 15, 2019}} is an American film, television, and stage actress. Her work includes the films Stay, The Family Stone, Sweet Land, Against the Current, The Twilight Saga, Young Adult, and Ouija: Origin of Evil, and the TV series Saved, Grey's Anatomy, The Ex-List, The Good Wife, True Detective, The Handmaid's Tale, and The Haunting of Hill House.
Early life and education
Reaser was born in the affluent Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills. Her parents are Karen Davidson (née Weidman) and John Reaser.[http://www.thejewishnews.com/bills-dreams-live-on The Jewish News: "Bill’s Dreams Live On"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026141734/http://www.thejewishnews.com/bills-dreams-live-on |date=October 26, 2012 }} October 11, 2012 She is the middle of three sisters. In 1995, her mother married billionaire businessman William Davidson.[https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090314/ap_on_sp_bk_ne/bkn_pistons_ownership;_ylt=AuNPQ7_gnOhgOjDzr6dA2YcLMxIF Davidson's Wife to Succeed Him As Owner of the Pistons]{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} Yahoo Sports, March 14, 2009{{Cite news|first=Nate|last=Bloom |author-link= Nate Bloom |title= Twilight |newspaper=InterFaithFamily|date=December 8, 2009 |url= http://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/popular_culture/Interfaith_Celebrities_at_Twilight.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022093357/http://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/popular_culture/Interfaith_Celebrities_at_Twilight.shtml| archive-date=October 22, 2016}}
Reaser attended both the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills{{cite news|title=Slow climb for actress Elizabeth Reaser is more than 'Getting By'|url=http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/06/26/entertainment/doc4e03cc4410097710570622.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411231311/http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2011/06/26/entertainment/doc4e03cc4410097710570622.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2013|access-date=November 29, 2012|newspaper=The Oakland Press|date=June 26, 2011}} and Avondale High School in Auburn Hills{{Cite web|url=https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/twilight-actress-avondale-grad-talks-about-the-end-of-her/article_828bd64d-ac85-5933-af17-ef69db73bd7f.html|title="Twilight" actress, Avondale grad talks about the end of her role as Esme Cullen|last=KRUG|first=KURT ANTHONY|website=The Oakland Press|language=en|access-date=2019-05-03|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916222900/https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/twilight-actress-avondale-grad-talks-about-the-end-of-her/article_828bd64d-ac85-5933-af17-ef69db73bd7f.html|url-status=dead}} where she graduated in 1993. After high school, she attended Oakland University for one year,{{cite web |url=http://www.lifestylesmagazine.com/website/past/stories/199/Lifestyle_09-2005_002.html |title=Elizabeth Reaser – Actress on the rise |work=Lifestyles Magazine |first=Ellis |last=Nassour |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929141528/http://www.lifestylesmagazine.com/website/past/stories/199/Lifestyle_09-2005_002.html |archive-date=September 29, 2007}} then attended the Juilliard School's Drama Division (1995–1999, Group 28),{{cite web |url=http://www.juilliard.edu/alumni/news/news_decades/2007-2008/0802/index.php |title=Alumni News |publisher=The Juilliard School |date=February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519021411/http://juilliard.edu/alumni/news/news_decades/2007-2008/0802/index.php |archive-date=May 19, 2011}} where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1999.{{cite web |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/396116/Elizabeth-Reaser/biography |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024120323/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/396116/Elizabeth-Reaser/biography |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 24, 2007 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=The New York Times |author=Jason Buchanan |date=2007 |title=Elizabeth Reaser |access-date=April 2, 2012}}
Career
Reaser prepared for her role on Saved by spending time in an emergency room, observing the behavior of medical staff.{{cite web |last=Martindale |first=David |url=http://www.tnt.tv/dramalounge/article/?oid=24948 |title=No Real-Life MD for Elizabeth Reaser |publisher=Tnt.tv |date=July 15, 2003 |access-date=April 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004180217/http://www.tnt.tv/dramalounge/article/?oid=24948 |archive-date=October 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} In October 2004, Interview magazine hailed her as one of the "14 To Be" emerging creative women.{{cite web |title=Elizabeth Reaser- Biography |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/person/elizabeth-reaser/biography.html;_ylt=ApRgmk97SKedOdvNQSePC6j3TssF;_ylu=X3oDMTI2ajBnaDlrBG1pdANQZXJzb24gRW50aXR5IEFib3V0BHBvcwMxBHNlYwNNZWRpYUVudGl0eUFib3V0TGlua3NQYWNrYWdlQXNzZW1ibHk-;_ylg=X3oDMTE2Z2ppM3RwBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQD;_ylv=3 |work=Yahoo! Movies |access-date=November 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623041101/http://movies.yahoo.com/person/elizabeth-reaser/biography.html |archive-date=June 23, 2012 }} Her work in the film Sweet Land earned the "Jury Award" at the Newport Beach Film Festival and a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award "Best Female Lead" award.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} Reaser earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her recurring guest appearance throughout 2007 and 2008 on the television series Grey's Anatomy.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}
Reaser is best known for her portrayal of Esme Cullen in the film Twilight,{{cite news | author=Larry Carroll | url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1581728/20080215/story.jhtml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221204403/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1581728/20080215/story.jhtml | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 21, 2008 | title='Twilight' Film's First Family Revealed: Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser Lead Cullen Clan | publisher=MTV | date=February 19, 2008 | access-date=March 13, 2008}} and its follow-ups The Twilight Saga: New Moon in 2009, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse in 2010,[http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/37376/another-new-the-twilight-saga-eclipse-still-the-cullen-men Another New The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Still - The Cullen Men] and parts one (2011) and two (2012) of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn.{{cite web |title=Peter Facinelli, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Jackson Rathbone, Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, and Billy Burke Sign on to BREAKING DAWN; Plus Three New TWILIGHT: ECLIPSE Posters|url=http://www.collider.com/tag/the-twilight-saga-breaking-dawn/|publisher=Collider |date=May 19, 2010 |access-date=May 20, 2010 }}
Reaser appeared on the CBS' legal drama, The Good Wife in October 2010.{{cite web|url= http://www.tvguide.com/News/Reaser-Good-Wife-1023144.aspx|title=Exclusive: Elizabeth Reaser, Lili Taylor Join The Good Wife| publisher=TVGuide.com|access-date=September 16, 2010}}
Reaser appeared in Season 3 of The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu.{{Cite web|last=Roschke|first=Ryan|date=2019-01-31|title=Blessed Be the Fruit: We Have All Kinds of Details For The Handmaid's Tale Season 3|url=https://www.popsugar.com/node/45715180|access-date=2020-10-23|website=POPSUGAR Entertainment|language=en-US}}
Filmography
=Film=
File:Elizabeth Reaser Comic-Con 2012.jpg]]
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
| rowspan=2|2001
| {{sortname|The|Believer|The Believer (2001 film)}} | Miriam | |
| Thirteen Conversations About One Thing
| Young Woman In Class | |
| 2002
| Alison Holmes | |
| 2004
| Malissa Zubach | |
| rowspan=3|2005
| Stay | Athena | |
| Sweet Land
| Young Inge | |
| {{sortname|The|Family Stone}}
| Susannah Stone Trousdale | |
| rowspan=2|2006
| Julep | |
| Puccini for Beginners
| Allegra | |
| 2007
| Bernadette | |
| 2008
| Twilight | Esme Cullen | |
| rowspan=2|2009
| Liz Clark | |
| {{sortname|The|Twilight Saga: New Moon}}
| Esme Cullen | |
| 2010
| {{sortname|The|Twilight Saga: Eclipse}} | Esme Cullen | |
| rowspan=3|2011
|{{sortname|The|Art of Getting By}} | Charlotte Howe | |
| {{Sortname|The|Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1}}
| Esme Cullen | |
| Young Adult
| Beth Slade | |
| rowspan=2|2012
| Ana | |
| {{sortname|The|Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2}}
| Esme Cullen | |
| rowspan=2|2015
| Elizabeth | |
| Hello, My Name Is Doris
| Dr. Edwards | |
| 2016
| Alice Zander | |
| 2018
| Helen | "This Way to Egress" segment |
| 2020
| Susan Boykins | |
| 2023
|Donna Shepard | |
| 2024
|Rose | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
| 1998
| Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal | Molly | Episode: "Scrubs" |
| 2000
| {{sortname|The|Sopranos}} | Stace | Episode: "D-Girl" |
| 2002
| Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Serena Whitfield | Episode: "The Insider" |
| rowspan=2|2004
| Hack | Elaine Jones | Episode: "Extreme Commerce" |
| {{sortname|The|Jury|The Jury (TV series)}}
| Rachel Byrnes | Episode: "Pilot" |
| rowspan=3|2006
| Jillian Slaughter | Episode: "Proud Flesh" |
| Saved
| Alice Alden, M.D. | 13 episodes |
| Standoff
| Anya Reed | Episode: "Heroine" |
| 2007–2008
| Ava / Rebecca Pope | 18 episodes |
| rowspan=2|2008
| Annie | Episode: "The Waindow" |
| {{sortname|The|Ex List}}
| Bella Bloom | 13 episodes |
| 2010–2012
| {{sortname|The|Good Wife}} | Tammy Linnata | 7 episodes |
| 2013
| Bonnie and Clyde: Dead and Alive | P.J. Lane | 2 episodes |
| 2014
| Laurie Perkins | Episode: "The Secret Fate of All Life" |
| 2015
| Mad Men | Diana Baur | 2 episodes |
| 2016–2019
| Easy | Andi | 5 episodes |
| rowspan=2|2017
| Ellie Fitzgerald | 8 episodes |
| Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders
| Pam Bozanich | 7 episodes |
| 2018
| Adult Shirley Crain | 8 episodes |
| 2019
| The Handmaid's Tale{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2019/01/24/the-handmaids-tale-season-3-christopher-meloni-cast/|title=The Handmaid's Tale Season 3 Adds Christopher Meloni, Elizabeth Reaser|work=TVLine.com|date=January 24, 2019|access-date=January 24, 2019|archive-date=January 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124224921/https://tvline.com/2019/01/24/the-handmaids-tale-season-3-christopher-meloni-cast/|url-status=dead}} | Mrs. Winslow | 3 episodes |
| 2020
|Sara |2 episodes |
| 2021
| Impeachment: American Crime Story | 2 episodes |
=Theater=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
| 1999
|Heavenly |
| 2000
|{{sortname|The|Hologram Theory|nolink=1}} |Mimi |Blue Lights Theatre Company |
| rowspan=2|2001
|Froggy |
| Closer
|Alice |
| 2002
|Stone Cold Dead Serious |Shaylee Ledbetter / Sharice |
| 2003
|{{sortname|The|Winter's Tale}} |
| 2005
|Patient Griselda / Nell / Jeanine |
| 2012
|Li'l Bit |
| 2014
|No Name |Bay Street Theater |
| rowspan=2|2015
|The Money Shot |Karen |rowspan=2|Lucille Lortel Theater |
| Permission
|Cyndy |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of awards and nominations |
| Year
! Award ! Category ! Title of work ! Result |
|---|
| 2006
| Jury Award – Best Actress (Feature Film) | rowspan=2|Sweet Land | {{won}} |
| 2007
| Best Female Lead | {{nom}} |
| 2007
| Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | rowspan=3|Grey's Anatomy | {{nom}} |
| 2008
| Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | {{nom}} |
| 2009
| Prism Award | Best Performance in a Drama Multi-Episode Storyline | {{nom}} |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category|Elizabeth Reaser}}
- {{IMDb name|714147}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Reaser, Elizabeth}}
Category:Actresses from Michigan
Category:American film actresses
Category:American stage actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:Juilliard School alumni
Category:Oakland University alumni
Category:People from Bloomfield, Oakland County, Michigan
Category:20th-century American actresses