Although this Juilliard graduate is quite comely in real life, she was unrecognizable as a ferry-crash victim in her breakthrough turn on
Grey's Anatomy. For nine episodes, Reaser's natural beauty was buried under makeup and prosthetics to play Jane Doe, a pregnant amnesiac with a smashed face. Ironically, her previous TV role had been on the other side of the hospital bed, as a doctor on the short-lived drama
Saved. After finishing acting school, the Michigan native honed her craft on New York stages and the soap
Guiding Light. She found work in indie films, and gave a fiery performance as a foreign mail-order bride in the '20s period drama
Sweet Land. Since her character was unable to speak English, Reaser communicated her emotions via her expressive eyes, earning her an Independent Spirit nomination. It was also excellent experience for her
Grey's Anatomy gig, since she was unable to speak during the first few episodes.
Elizabeth Reaser Fast Facts:
- In 2004, Interview Magazine listed her as one of the 14 To Be: Emerging Creative Women.
- A few months before appearing on Grey's Anatomy, she almost ended up in a real-life hospital when her car flew off the freeway at 65 mph. Amazingly, she wasn't injured.
- Has connections to two Grey's Anatomy costars: attended Juilliard with Sara Ramirez and appeared in a New York production of Hologram Theory with T.R. Knight.
- Elizabeth Reaser Relationships:
- Bill Davidson - Stepfather
- John Reaser - Father
- Karen Davidson - Mother
- Elizabeth Reaser Awards:
- 2007 Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series - Nominee
- College:
- The Juilliard School, New York, NY
