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Rebel Wilson | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Wilson in 2012 | |
| Born | Melanie Elizabeth Bownds (1980-03-02)2 March 1980 (age 45) Sydney,New South Wales, Australia |
| Education | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2002–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Rebel Melanie Elizabeth Wilson (bornMelanie Elizabeth Bownds;[note 1] 2 March 1980) is an Australian actress, comedian and producer. After graduating from theAustralian Theatre for Young People in 2003, Wilson began appearing in theSBS comedy seriesPizza (2003–2007) and later appeared in thesketch comedy showThe Wedge (2006–2007). She wrote, produced and starred in the musical comedy seriesBogan Pride (2008). Shortly after moving to the United States, Wilson appeared in the comedy filmsBridesmaids andA Few Best Men, both in 2011.
In 2012, Wilson appeared in the comedy filmsWhat to Expect When You're Expecting,Struck by Lightning, andBachelorette. Wilson wrote and starred inSuper Fun Night (2013), a television sitcom that aired for one season onABC. She gained wider recognition for her role in the musical comedyPitch Perfectfilm series (2012–2017).
In 2019, Wilson had her first lead roles in the comediesIsn't It Romantic andThe Hustle, and also had a supporting role in the comedy dramaJojo Rabbit. In 2022, she starred in theNetflix comedy filmSenior Year, also serving as a producer.
Rebel Melanie Elizabeth Wilson was born on 2 March 1980[1] inSydney,New South Wales, Australia.[5] Her parents areprofessional dog handlers,dog show judges and breeders.[6][7][8] Wilson grew up in the suburbs ofKenthurst,Parramatta andCastle Hill.[9] She attended the independentTara Anglican School for Girls as a boarder.[2][4][10][11][12] She completed herHigher School Certificate in 1997, achieving a ranking of 99.3, including second place in the state in Food Technology.[13][14] Wilson joined the debating team and a teacher encouraged her to enterTournament of Minds, which she credits for helping her come out of her shell. Wilson worked at a cinema in Castle Hill in her younger years, but quit after patrons recognised her after the showing of her first movie,Fat Pizza.[14]
Wilson is the eldest of four children, with sisters Liberty and Annaleise (who uses the name "Annachi") and a brother, who uses the name "Ryot".[7][8][15][16][17] Liberty and Ryot appeared on thefirst season ofThe Amazing Race Australia in 2011, where they were the first team eliminated.[18] Wilson has stated that, according to her grandmother, her great-aunt wasLillian Disney, who was married toWalt Disney until his death in 1966.[19] Wilson stood by this belief in court, despite there being no evidence to support the claim;[20][21] it continues to be disputed by genealogist Dale Sheridan.[22]
Wilson's first career choice was mathematics. She toldThe Sydney Morning Herald, "I was very academic at high school and was always good with numbers."[23] She attended theUniversity of New South Wales, graduating in 2009 withBachelor of Arts (Theatre and Performance Studies) andBachelor of Laws degrees. She planned to be a lawyer, but decided against corporate life and went to the United States to act.[6][24] A formerRotary Internationalyouth ambassador for Australia, she was based in South Africa for one year, where she contractedmalaria.[23][25] She has spoken of malaria-induced hallucinations, where she saw herself as an actress who had won anOscar, convincing her to pursue an acting career.[25]
Wilson studied at theAustralian Theatre for Young People (ATYP).[26] In 2003, she moved toNew York after winning the ATYP International scholarship, which was funded byNicole Kidman. While in New York, Wilson trained withThe Second City.[27][28] She appeared with theSydney Theatre Company and performed at theMelbourne International Comedy Festival.[26] She first came to the public's attention in 2002 with her stage musicalThe Westie Monologues, which she wrote,[29] starred in and produced in Sydney.[30] Her follow-up stage productions, which she wrote, produced and starred in includeSpunks andConfessions of an Exchange Student.[23][31]
In Australia, Wilson is most known for her roles as Toula on theSBS comedy seriesPizza and as various characters including Lucy, Fat Mandi and Karla Bangs on the sketch comedy seriesThe Wedge.[25] She played anAustralian Idol mad schoolgirl in a series ofTelstra advertisements shown duringAustralian Idol from 2004 to 2005.[32] She also had roles in the feature filmsFat Pizza (2003) andGhost Rider (2007).[33]
In 2008, Wilson created, wrote, produced and starred in the musical comedy seriesBogan Pride on SBS One and also starred in the improvisationalNine Network seriesMonster House.[25][33] In 2009 Wilson won theTropfest Best Actress award for her role in the filmBargain.[34] She has made appearances on the improvisational comedy showThank God You're Here and the comedy game showTalkin' 'Bout Your Generation.[26][35] She performed stand-up on the television specialThe Breast Darn Show In Town and guest starred in theSeven Network dramaCity Homicide and performed improv at theUpright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles.[36]
Not content with her small role inGhost Rider, Wilson moved to the United States in January 2010 and signed to talent and literary agentsWilliam Morris Endeavor.[37] Wilson's next film role came in theJudd Apatow film,Bridesmaids, in which she played Brynn, the sister ofMatt Lucas' character.[37] The role was written especially for her.[38] Wilson then appeared in the CBS sitcomRules of Engagement and on theComedy Central series,Workaholics.[39] She co-hosted the 2010ARIA Music Awards and performed at the inauguralVariety's Power of Comedy event in Los Angeles with Lucas andRussell Brand.[39] In early 2011, Wilson filmedA Few Best Men at Fox Studios Australia.[40] She also filmed a role inSmall Apartments.[41] Wilson was named one ofVariety magazine's "Top Ten Comics to Watch for 2011".[25] In 2012, Wilson had a role in the ensemble comedyWhat to Expect When You're Expecting, as Janice,[41] and co-starred in the indie filmStruck By Lightning.[42]
On 19 August 2011, Borys Kit ofThe Hollywood Reporter reported that Wilson had replacedCasey Wilson inBachelorette.[43] In 2012, Wilson voiced a character inIce Age: Continental Drift[43] and played Fat Amy inPitch Perfect. For the latter role, she received critical acclaim and earned various award nominations, including Best Supporting Actress from theSan Diego Film Critics Society andBest Actress in a Comedy from theBroadcast Film Critics Association.[44][45] She won theMTV Movie Award for Best Actor in a Movie and shared the Best Musical Moment award with herPitch Perfect co-stars. Wilson was also nominated forMTV Movie Award for Best Performance.[46] Wilson later won the Choice Movie Actress: Comedy award forPitch Perfect at the2013 Teen Choice Awards.[47] She had also been nominated for Choice Comedian at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards.[48]
In January 2012,Michael Ausiello ofTVLine announced that Wilson would be writing and starring inSuper Fun Night, a comedy that follows three friends on a quest to have fun every Friday night.[49] The pilot was picked up byCBS andConan O'Brien became one of the executive producers.[49] The pilot was later turned down by CBS, but theABC network picked up the project.[50] A series was ordered and the show began broadcasting on 2 October 2013.[51] The series was cancelled after one season.[52] Wilson played Robin Peck inMichael Bay'sPain & Gain (2013).[53][54] She hosted the2013 MTV Movie Awards on 14 April 2013.[55]
In March 2014, the Americansatellite television networkDish Network launched a marketing campaign for itsHopperDVR featuring Wilson as the voice of the eponymous animated kangaroo.[56] Wilson reprised her role in the sequelsPitch Perfect 2 (2015) andPitch Perfect 3 (2017).[57] She also made a cameo in the television comedyPompidou.[38] Wilson joined the voice cast forKung Fu Panda 3;[58] however, in September 2015, she was replaced withKate Hudson.[59] Wilson next appeared in the ensemble comedyHow to Be Single, released in February 2016.[60] Nigel M. Smith ofThe Guardian wrote, "Wilson is the standout, nailing every pratfall she's dealt, butHow to Be Single doesn't make strong use of her character."[61] Wilson also appeared in the action comedyGrimsby.[62] On 14 February 2016, Wilson presented the nominations for theBest Supporting Actor category at the69th British Academy Film Awards.[63] Wilson is one of sixty celebrities who make a cameo inAbsolutely Fabulous: The Movie.[64]
Wilson appeared asUrsula, the sea witch, in an all-star concert version ofThe Little Mermaid at theHollywood Bowl on 3 June 4 June, and 6 June 2016.[65] She made herWest End debut in the musicalGuys and Dolls in the role of Miss Adelaide from 28 June to 21 August 2016.[66] She received positive reviews.[67] In 2018, it was announced that Wilson was to produce and star in a feature film adaptation of theImage Comics comic bookCrowded.[68] Wilson played LeFou in a production ofBeauty and the Beast: Live in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl on 25–26 May 2018.[69] She also appeared on the cover ofVogue Australia for the first time.[70]
Wilson starred in two 2019 comedies. The first,Isn't It Romantic, was released in February, and is about a woman (Wilson) who wakes up in a literalromantic comedy, despite the character's hate for the genre; the film is Wilson's first solo lead role and her first ever producer credit.[71][72] In May, Wilson starred alongsideAnne Hathaway inThe Hustle, a female-centred remake of the 1988 comedy filmDirty Rotten Scoundrels. Wilson also co-produced the latter film.[67][73] Wilson plays twins Doreen and Dolores Bognor in Australian drama seriesLes Norton.[74] Towards the end of 2019, Wilson played Fraulein Rahm inTaika Waititi's dark comedy dramaJojo Rabbit,[75] andJennyanydots in the musical filmCats.[76]
Wilson hosted the dog styling competitionPooch Perfect forSeven Network. The show features professional dog stylists competing over a number of challenges for a $100,000 prize.[77] She also hosted the ABC's version ofPooch Perfect in the United States, which was cancelled after one season.[78] Wilson stars in theNetflix comedy filmSenior Year, released in May 2022. She plays a woman who, after waking from a 20-year coma, returns to high school to earn the prom queen crown she feels she deserves.[79] Wilson will appear in her first non-comedy film role inThe Almond and the Seahorse, which is an adaptation ofKaite O'Reilly's stage play of the same name.[80] Wilson is making her directorial debut withThe Deb, a musical comedy film set in the Australian outback.[81] It is based on Hannah Reilly's 2022 theatre production, which sees "lovable farm girl and high school outcast" Taylah, who hopes the upcoming Debutante Ball will help change how her peers see her, but her plans are disrupted by the arrival of her cousin Maeve from the city. Production began in September 2023.[81]
In September 2025, Wilson appeared in theBi-ray music video "Butterfly (Narrative Version)" directed by Japanese rock starYoshiki.[82]
In 2013, Wilson created a plus-size T-shirt collection named after her "Fat Mandi" character inThe Wedge featuring images of donuts and cupcakes.[83] In 2017, Wilson launched a plus-sized clothing range called Rebel Wilson x Angels on the heels of a collaboration withTorrid.[84]
Wilson and herBridesmaids co-star, British actorMatt Lucas, lived together inWest Hollywood,[85] from September 2012 until 2015.[86]
In July 2015, Wilson stated her support for stricter American gun laws following the2015 Lafayette shooting, stating, "I don't like getting political but America you really have to follow Australia's example in gun laws. I don't remember a mass shooting in Australia since theyoverhauled the gun laws. It seems like every week in America there's a shooting. I just want people to be safe, especially people that are doing one of my favorite things in the world—going out to the movies to have fun."[87][88][89]
In 2014, Wilson paid $3.75 million for her Sydney harbourside home. The 1900s freestandingVictorian house underwent $900,000 of renovations. Wilson also settled on a Balmain investment apartment, a conversion of a historic mansion. The New York-inspired terrace home took three years to complete. Wilson paid $1.88 million off the plan in 2015 for the two-bedroom apartment.[90][91]
Wilson is a fan of theLos Angeles Rams of theNational Football League.[92]
As her 40th birthday approached, Wilson made the decision to freeze her eggs, which spurred on her effort to make healthy life changes. She haspolycystic ovarian syndrome, and suffers fromemotional eating due to pressures of fame.[93] In November 2022, she announced on Instagram the birth of her first child, a daughter born via surrogacy.[94]
Wilson publiclycame out as being in a same-sex relationship on Instagram in June 2022, revealing her relationship with Ramona Agruma while posting onInstagram, "I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince… but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess."[95] She chose to announce her relationship with Agruma to pre-empt an article by Andrew Hornery ofThe Sydney Morning Herald that would haveouted her.[96][97] WhileHerald editor Bevan Shields initially defended Hornery in the face of widespread backlash, denying they were outing her,[98] Hornery later admitted to having made mistakes, and the original article was deleted.[99] In a tweet on 19 February 2023, Wilson confirmed her engagement to Agruma.[100] The couple married in Italy on 28 September 2024[101] and again in Australia on 29 December 2024.[102]
An advocate forbody positivity, Wilson has been a role model for larger women. "There's a lot of pressure on women, especially younger women, to conform to the thin body image," she told the Associated Press. "Not everyone can be that way and no one should be ashamed of how they look or suffer bullying and other forms of abuse because of their size and shape."[72]
Throughout her career, Wilson has been known for her plus-sized figure and would often play to it in her acting work with characters such as "Fat Amy,” a character in the moviePitch Perfect. In a 2013 interview withHunger Magazine, Wilson stated: "As long as I look like this, I'm going to make fat jokes. All comedians have to use their physicality, so I use my size."[103] Wilson said that her agency signed her almost on the spot because they had nobody on their books like her.[104]
Wilson felt lucky to have her body type and stated that people in the industry would tell her not to lose weight. "For me, I think it's about being comfortable in your own skin. I never want to be too unhealthy, because that's bad. You just want to be comfortable with who you are at whatever size", she said.[104] In 2016, Wilson said that she felt bigger girls did better in comedy because they are easier to laugh at and used that to her advantage.[105]
In July 2011, Wilson became a spokesperson for weight loss and nutrition companyJenny Craig in Australia.[106][107] In January 2012, Wilson toldThe Daily Telegraph that she had lost 10 kilograms (22 lb) since signing up to the program.[108] In February 2013, she confirmed that she had ended her agreement with Jenny Craig the previous year.[109]
Wilson asserted that the producers ofPitch Perfect had refused to let her lose any more weight during filming, as her contract stated that she must stay the same size. She said that once her film commitments were over, she would start her diet again to reach her target weight of 80 kilograms (180 lb).[108]
In her 2020 "year of health", Wilson made it her mission to lose 60 pounds (27 kg) and did so by November 2020. Wilson stated that she has always been confident in how she looked, but now feels "super confident".[110]
In May 2015, Australian magazineWoman's Day published a story claiming that Wilson had been misleading about her birth name, age, and upbringing.[111] Wilson had previously said in interviews that she was raised by dog-training "bogan" parents in theghetto of Sydney, spent a year in Zimbabwe, climbed into a cage with a leopard, and got caught in a shoot-out and then struck down by a severe strain ofmalaria from amosquito in Mozambique where, from herintensive care bed, she envisioned herself winning anOscar and rapping her acceptance speech.[112] Her age was also incorrectly given as 29 (when it was actually 35), which she would later admit was something she chose not to correct.[20]Woman's Day called all of this into question and claimed that Wilson had, on the contrary, a "very normal, upper-middle-class upbringing" and "added a touch of 'fantasy' to the life she led before becoming a household name".[111] The story was picked up by several other publications includingThe Sydney Morning Herald,People magazine,[113] theChicago Tribune[114] andThe Huffington Post.[115] Most notably, Wilson's true birth date was confirmed through business records filed with theAustralian Securities & Investments Commission, which were obtained byThe Sydney Morning Herald,[116] and her birth name of Melanie was confirmed. Following the appeal, Wilson continued to stand by her claim that she is related to Walt Disney by marriage, despite having no evidence to support this.[117] Following this incident, Wilson was "sacked from twoDreamWorks animations" and "missed out on movie roles during 2015 and 2016".[118]
Wilson's memoir,Rebel Rising, was published in April 2024.[119][120][121][122] It garnered attention for her recounting of discomfort on the set ofThe Brothers Grimsby, includingSacha Baron Cohen's alleged requests for nudity and inappropriate behavior during a sex scene, which she refused. Baron Cohen has denied these claims through a spokesperson.[123] Following this episode, publication was pushed back and significant portions of the chapter associated with this incident were redacted for the UK due to legislation regarding factual accuracy andlibel.[124]
On 16 May 2016, Wilson said print and online articles inWoman's Day, the AustralianWomen's Weekly,NW andOK! magazines made her out to be a serial liar. According to adefamation writ filed in theSupreme Court of Victoria, Wilson said her reputation and credit had suffered and she had been humiliated and embarrassed. She also sued for special damages, claiming she missed out on roles and others were terminated because of the articles.[125] Wilson was represented byMatthew Collins QC. On 15 June 2017, a six-person jury ruled in Wilson's favour, finding that publisherBauer Media Group had indeed wrongly painted the actress as a serial liar, and that publishing the articles was likely to have caused harm to her career.[126]
On 13 September 2017, Wilson was awardedA$4,500,000 in damages. Wilson's lawyer Richard Leder, said "Today's verdict is a significant record—it's about four times the highest previous verdict in a defamation case in Australia." In June 2017, Wilson tweeted "Any dollars I receive will go to charity, scholarships or invested into the Aussie film industry to provide jobs."[127][128]
Bauer Media appealed the amount of the damages.[129] On 14 June 2018, Bauer Media won its appeal and the damages were reduced to $600,000, meaning that she had to pay back A$4.1m and A$60,000 in interest. She also had to cover 80% of what Bauer spent on its appeal.[130][131] Wilson announced her intention to appeal against the decision,[132] and lodged an appeal with the High Court on 11 July 2018.[133] The High Court refused the application on 16 November 2018.[134][135]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Fat Pizza | Toula | |
| 2007 | Ghost Rider | Girl in Alley | |
| 2009 | Bargain! | Linda | Short film |
| 2011 | Bridesmaids | Brynn | |
| A Few Best Men | Daphne Ramme | ||
| 2012 | Bachelorette | Becky Archer | |
| Small Apartments | Rocky | ||
| Struck by Lightning | Malerie Baggs | ||
| What to Expect When You're Expecting | Janice | ||
| Ice Age: Continental Drift | Raz | Voice | |
| Pitch Perfect | Fat Amy | ||
| 2013 | Pain & Gain | Robin Peck | |
| 2014 | Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb | Tilly | |
| 2015 | Pitch Perfect 2 | Fat Amy | |
| Panda Paws | Mei Mei | Voice; lines overdubbed byKate Hudson[136] | |
| 2016 | Kung Fu Panda 3 | ||
| How to Be Single | Robin | ||
| Grimsby | Dawn Grobham | ||
| Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie | Flight Attendant | Cameo | |
| 2017 | Pitch Perfect 3 | Fat Amy | |
| 2019 | Isn't It Romantic | Natalie | Also producer |
| The Hustle | Penny Rust | ||
| Jojo Rabbit | Fraulein Rahm | ||
| Cats | Jennyanydots | ||
| 2022 | Senior Year | Stephanie Conway | Also producer[137] |
| The Almond and the Seahorse | Sarah | ||
| 2024 | The Deb | Janette | Also director, producer, and writer |
| Jack in Time for Christmas | Herself | British Christmas comedy special | |
| 2025 | Juliet & Romeo | Lady Capulet | |
| Bride Hard | Sam | [138] | |
| Tinsel Town | Jill | Post-production | |
| TBA | Girl Group | Filming; Also director, producer, and writer |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–2007 | Pizza | Toula | Recurring cast; Seasons 3–5,Pizza World andPizza World Record |
| 2006–2007 | The Wedge | Various characters | Series regular; 47 episodes |
| 2007–2009 | Thank God You're Here | Herself/Various characters | Episodes: "3.04", "3.09", "4.03" & "4.09" |
| 2008 | Bogan Pride | Jennie Cragg | Series regular; 6 episodes |
| Monster House | Penelope Webb | Series regular; 10 episodes | |
| 2009 | Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation | Generation Y Guest | Episode: "Series 1, Episode 3" |
| City Homicide | Sarah Gilbert | Episode: "Dead Weight" | |
| The Breast Darn Show in Town | Herself | Comedy gala | |
| 2010 | Rules of Engagement | Sara | Episode: "Les-bro" |
| 2011 | Workaholics | Big Money Hustla | Episode: "Straight Up Juggahos" |
| 2013 | Can of Worms | Herself | Episode: "Season 3, Episode 2" |
| 2013 MTV Movie Awards | Host | ||
| 2013–2014 | Super Fun Night | Kimmie Boubier | Creator, Lead role; 17 episodes |
| 2015 | Pompidou | Fancy Dress Contestant | Episode: "Hoarder" |
| 2016 | The Big Music Quiz | Herself | Episodes2 & 8 |
| Travel Man | Herself | Episode: Christmas Special | |
| 2019 | Les Norton | Doreen Bogner and Dolores Bogner | Series regular |
| 2020 | Pooch Perfect | Host | 8 episodes |
| Celebrity IOU | Herself | Episode: "Rebel Wilson's Surprise Outdoor Oasis" | |
| LOL: Last One Laughing Australia | Host | 6 episodes | |
| 2021 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? | Herself | Episode: "In The Hot Seat: Rebel Wilson & Amanda Peet" |
| 2024–2025 | The Tiny Chef Show | Announcer | 10 episodes |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Ice Age: Continental Drift – Arctic Games | Raz | Voice |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | The Little Mermaid | Ursula | 3–6 June,The Hollywood Bowl |
| Guys and Dolls | Adelaide | 28 June – 21 August,West End | |
| 2018 | Beauty and the Beast | LeFou | 25–26 May, The Hollywood Bowl |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Tropfest[34] | Best Actress | Bargain! | Won |
| 2012 | San Diego Film Critics Society[44] | Best Supporting Actress | Pitch Perfect | Nominated |
| 2013 | Critics' Choice Awards[45] | Best Actress in a Comedy | Nominated | |
| MTV Movie Awards[46] | Best Breakthrough Performance | Won | ||
| Best Musical Moment | Won | |||
| Best Female Performance | Nominated | |||
| Teen Choice Awards[47] | Choice Movie Actress: Comedy | Won | ||
| Choice Movie: Hissy Fit (shared withAnna Camp, Hana Mae Lee andBrittany Snow)[48] | Nominated | |||
| Choice Comedian[48] | — | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Young Hollywood Awards[139] | Cuz You're Funny | — | Nominated |
| 2017 | People's Choice Awards[140] | Favorite Comedic Movie Actress | How to Be Single | Nominated |
| 2019 | Teen Choice Awards[141] | Choice Comedy Movie Actress | Isn't It Romantic | Nominated |
| 2020 | Screen Actors Guild Awards[142] | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Jojo Rabbit | Nominated |
| Golden Raspberry Awards[143] | Worst Actress | The Hustle | Nominated | |
| Worst Supporting Actress | Cats | Won |
Business records filed with theAustralian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) list the date of birth for a "Rebel Melanie Elizabeth Wilson" as March 2, 1980
The Australian Electoral Roll lists her real name as Melanie Elizabeth Bownds, though she later changed her last name to Wilson, as has been previously reported. Last year, however, she told The Australian Women's Weekly that her real name was in fact Rebel, and that Melanie and Elizabeth were middle names she went by at school to avoid being teased.
(Yearbook Photograph Page) Rebel talks about visiting family back in Australia, working in a movie theater when she first came to Hollywood, going to an all-girls Christian high school, masterminding escapes to visit the neighboring boys school, her prom being a disaster, her new movie Senior Year on Netflix, and she plays handbells to the tune of Happy Birthday for Melania Trump's 52nd.
I've got two sisters, Liberty and Annachi and my brother Ryot...and what's her [mother's] name? Sue.
That lead to the 22-year-old's first play, The Westie Monologues, and her springboard to life as a playwright. And actor. And producer. And theatre company director.
