Lily Rabe (born June 29, 1982) is an American actress.


Life and career

Lily Rabe was born in New York City, New York. She is the daughter of the late actress Jill Clayburgh and playwright David Rabe and attended Northwestern University and the Hotchkiss School.

Rabe's Broadway credits include a revival of Steel Magnolias, and An American Plan in 2008, in which she appeared with actress Mercedes Ruehl. In the fall of 2005, she appeared in MCC's production of Colder Than Here. In 2006, her performance in George Bernard Shaw's Heartbreak House was praised by New York Times critic Charles Isherwood.

Rabe has appeared in the films Never Again, Mona Lisa Smile, and as Bernadette in No Reservations and The Toe Tactic. She also appeared in two episodes of Medium in 2008, as a female serial killer working under the guise of a fellow victim. She was seen in the 2010 film All Good Things.

In June and July 2010 Rabe played Portia in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice in Central Park in New York City, in the famed Shakespeare in the Park series of productions. She starred opposite Al Pacino as Shylock in a performance described as a "smashing break-out". For this performance, Rabe was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in Play. She continued in the role of Portia when the play opened at the Broadhurst Theater in November, 2010 and continued in this role into 2011. On December 21, 2010 she discussed the role on the interview show Charlie Rose. Rabe took on the role of Nora in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House at the 2011 Williamstown Theatre Festival.[4] She now plays Nora Montgomery on the FX show American Horror Story. Lily is one of six actors from the first season of American Horror Story to be returning for the second season as a completely new character.

Rabe recently appeared at the Golden Theatre in the new Broadway play " Seminar" by Theresa Rebeck. It was directed by Sam Gold, and the cast included Alan Rickman, Jerry O'Connell, Hamish Linklater and Hettienne Park.It opened on November 20, 2011, and closed May 6, 2012.

She is currently in the Public Theatre's production of As You Like It, part of the 50th Season of Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theatre. She plays the lead role of Rosalind in the production that opened on June 11th, 2012 and is set to close on June 30th, 2012.


Filmography

Film


Year Title Role Notes
2001 Never Again Tess
2003 Mona Lisa Smile Art History Student
2006 A Crime Sophie
2007 No Reservations Bernadette
2008 What Just Happened Dawn
The Toe Tactic Mona Peek
2010 Aftermath Samantha
Weakness Katharine Browne
All Good Things Deborah Lehrman
2011 Letters from the Big Man Sarah
2012 Beyond Redemption Anna


Television


Year Title Role Notes
2005 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Siena Boatman Episode: Scared Crazy
2006 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Nikki Episode: Recall
2008 Nip/Tuck Lanie Ainge Episode: Kyle Ainge
Medium Joanna Wheeler Episodes: Wicked Game: Part One and Part Two
2009 Last of the Ninth Mary Byrne TV pilot
2010 Saving Grace Sarah Cullen Episode: You Can't Save Them All, Grace
Law & Order Andrea Wheaton Episode: Crashers
2011 The Good Wife Petra Moritz Episode: Wrongful Termination
Exit Strategy Natalie Clayton TV pilot
American Horror Story Nora Montgomery Recurring cast
7 episodes
2012 American Horror Story: Asylum Sister Eunice Main cast