Elizabeth Reaser

Elizabeth Ann Reaser entered the world on July 2, 1975, in the prosperous suburb of Bloomfield Hills, near Detroit, Michigan. The middle child in a trio of sisters, her upbringing was marked by her father John Reaser’s dual professions as a lawyer and educator, along with his venture into the restaurant industry. Her mother, Karen Davidson (née Weidman), dedicated her life to being a homemaker. Elizabeth experienced her parents’ separation during her childhood, and in 1995, her mother remarried, joining lives with billionaire William Davidson.

For her education, Reaser attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart, a Roman Catholic school in her birthplace, and then progressed to Avondale High School in Auburn Hills. Throughout her teenage years, she engaged in various part-time jobs, including working at a local golf club where she provided assistance with golf equipment. Following her high school graduation in 1993, she furthered her studies at the college of Oakland University in Rochester Hills.

It was during this period that Elizabeth solidified her aspiration to delve into the creative domain of arts and acting. After a year in college and with the support of her parents, she chose to relocate to New York. In 1995, she successfully enrolled in the drama division of The Juilliard School, facing no significant hurdles. Elizabeth completed her education there in 1999, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree.

Elizabeth Reaser’s journey in television began in 1998 with a guest appearance in “Sports Theater with Shaquille O’Neal.” By 2000, she emerged in a supporting role in the renowned series “The Sopranos,” alongside stars like James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, and Lorraine Bracco. Her entrance into the world of cinema occurred in 2001 with the drama “The Believer,” where she shared the screen with Ryan Gosling and Summer Phoenix.

Following this, Reaser embraced diverse acting opportunities. She delivered notable performances in the drama “Thirteen Conversations About One Thing” featuring Matthew McConaughey and John Turturro, the thriller “Mind the Gap” with Scott Wolf, and in television series including “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” with Kathryn Erbe and Vincent D’Onofrio, and “Hack” with Andre Braugher. The mid-2000s marked her rise to prominence.

In 2004, Reaser’s role in “Mind the Gap” with Alan King garnered critical and audience praise. The next year, she appeared in “Stay” with Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, and her previous co-star Ryan Gosling. Additionally, 2005 saw her in “The Family Stone” with Claire Danes and “Sweet Land” with Lois Smith, the latter earning her a prestigious award at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

Reaser’s career trajectory ascended as she was frequently cast in varied roles. She featured in series such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” earning an Emmy nod for a minor role, “Standoff” with Ron Livingston, and “Saved” with Tom Everett Scott. She also appeared in romantic dramas “The Wedding Weekend” with David Harbour and “Puccini for Beginners” with Julianne Nicholson and Ken Barnett, both released in 2006.

In 2007, she took a leading role in “Purple Violets” with Selma Blair. Around the same time, she embarked on a project based on a book series, poised to evolve into a major franchise if successful. Little did she know that this role would catapult her to global recognition.

Reaser’s fame skyrocketed following the 2008 release of the fantasy drama “Twilight.” The first installment of the vampire saga, co-starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner, amassed over $392 million globally. Amidst her involvement in the “Twilight” sequels, Reaser continued to seek varied acting roles, determined to avoid being typecast.

In 2008, she featured in “Against the Current” with Joseph Fiennes, then ventured into television series like “Wainy Days” with David Wain, “The Ex List” with Rachel Boston, and “The Good Wife” with Julianna Margulies. Alongside these projects, she continued her role as Esme Cullen in the Twilight series. In 2014, Reaser made an appearance in the first season of “True Detective” with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson.

Starting in 2016, she appeared in “Impeachment: American Crime Story,” alongside her friend Sarah Paulson. Additionally, she can be seen in series like “Easy” with Michael Chernus, “Manhunt” with Gethin Anthony, “The Handmaid’s Tale” with Elisabeth Moss, and “The Haunting of Hill House” with Michiel Huisman and Carla Gugino.

Elizabeth Reaser maintains a discreet stance regarding her family life and romantic involvements. Despite various speculations, she has not entered into matrimony, although her dating history reportedly includes several notable personalities. In 2009, she was romantically involved with filmmaker Gavin Wiesen, a relationship sparked on the filming location of “Homework.” Yet, this bond didn’t culminate in marriage. A vegan by choice, Elizabeth tends to keep her dietary ethics and preferences under wraps.

Her inner circle includes well-known figures such as Sarah Paulson, Nikki Reed, Justin Kirk, and Peter Facinelli. Their gatherings are frequent, aligning with the breaks in their busy professional lives. In 2019, there was buzz about Reaser dating Bruce Gilbert. While the duo was seen together publicly on occasions, both the actress and the producer remained reticent about the specifics of their relationship.

In the past few years, Elizabeth Reaser’s presence in film and television hasn’t been as prolific as her admirers might wish. In 2020, she portrayed the character Sara in the anthology series “50 States of Fright,” alongside Asa Butterfield and Rachel Brosnahan, and also featured in the sports-themed drama “Embattled” with Stephen Dorff. Come 2023, she took a leading role in the horror movie “Dark Harvest,” co-starring Casey Likes. Looking ahead, she is confirmed to partake in the comedy “The Uninvited,” sharing the screen with Pedro Pascal.