Lily Rabe

Lily Rabe (born June 29, 1982) is an American actress. She is best known for playing Portia in the Shakespeare in the Park production of William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, and in her roles in each season of the FX anthology series American Horror Story. --- Rabe was born in New York City, New York, the daughter of the late actress Jill Clayburgh, who was Jewish, and playwright David Rabe. She attended Northwestern University and the Hotchkiss School. --- Rabe's Broadway credits include a revival of Steel Magnolias, as well as An American Plan in 2008. 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 serial killer working under the guise of a 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 Charlie Rose. Rabe took on the role of Nora in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House at the 2011 Williamstown Theatre Festival. She played Nora Montgomery on the first season of the FX show American Horror Story, Sister Mary Eunice on the second season, and Misty Day on the third season. She was one of seven actors from the first season of the show to return for the second season as a completely new character. Rabe 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 finished work in the Public Theater's production of As You Like It, part of the 50th Season of Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theatre. She played the role of Rosalind in the production that opened on June 11, 2012 and closed on June 30th, 2012.