X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Lucy Lawless Biography

Birth Name:Lucille Frances Ryan

Birth Place:Mount Albert, Auckland, New Zealand

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer, Director, Writer

Fast Facts

  • Has served as an avid supporter of the environmental organization Greenpeace
  • Was awarded the New Zeland Order of Merit in 2004
  • Started out singing opera before deciding to become an actress
  • Studied at the William Davis Centre for Actors' Study
  • Best known for her role in the series "Xena: Warrior Princess․"
  • In getting the role of Xena originally as a guest star on the series "Hercules," producers had her dye her natuarally blonde hair brunette since she had previously portrayed two other characters on the show already
  • Possesses the ability to speak German, French and Italian

Awards

  • 1997Saturn Award-Best Genre TV Actress: nominated
  • 1997OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Syndicated Series: winner
  • 1998OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Syndicated Series: nominated
  • 1999OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Syndicated Series: nominated
  • 2010Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actress - Drama Series: nominated
  • 2011Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress on Television: winner
  • 2016Chainsaw Award-Best TV Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2016iHorror Award-Best Female Performance - Horror Series: nominated
  • 2017BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Female Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Guest Role: winner
  • 2024Jury Award-Best Documentary Feature: winner
  • 2024Audience Award-Festival Favorites: nominated
  • 2024Bronze Horse-Best Documentary: nominated
  • 2024Grand Jury Prize-World Cinema - Documentary: nominated
  • 2025Cinema for Peace Award-Cinema for Peace Dove for Women's Empowerment: nominated
  • 2025New Zealand Screen Award-Best Documentary - Feature: winner