Rachel Brosnahan

Rachel Brosnahan (born July 12, 1990) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Midge Maisel, an aspiring stand-up comedian in the Amazon Prime Video period comedy series '' The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'' (2017–2023), for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2018 and two consecutive Golden Globe Awards in 2018 and 2019.

On television, she was Emmy-nominated for the political thriller series '' House of Cards'' (2013–2015) and acted in the drama series ''Manhattan'' (2014–2015). Brosnahan made her film debut in the horror film '' The Unborn'' (2009), and has acted in '' Beautiful Creatures'' (2013), '' Louder Than Bombs'' (2015), '' The Finest Hours'' (2016), '' Patriots Day'' (2016), '' Spies in Disguise'' (2019), '' The Courier'' (2020), and '' I'm Your Woman'' (2020).

On stage, she made her Broadway debut in the 2013 revival of the Clifford Odets play '' The Big Knife''. She played Desdemona in the 2016 off Broadway production of '' Othello'', and returned to Broadway in the 2023 revival of the Lorraine Hansberry play '' The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window''.

Early life and education

Brosnahan was born on July 12, 1990, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Carol and Earl Brosnahan, who worked in children's publishing. Her mother is British, and her father is an American of Irish descent. From age four, Brosnahan was raised in Highland Park, Illinois. She has a younger brother and sister.

She attended Wayne Thomas Elementary School and Northwood Junior High School. She performed in musical theater during junior high and high school. At Highland Park High School, she was on the wrestling team for two years and was a snowboarding instructor. When she was 16, she took a class with Carole Dibo, director of Wilmette's Actors Training Center, who is now her manager. Brosnahan graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 2012.

Career

Early work (20072012)

While still in high school, Brosnahan received her first movie role—that of Lisa in the Michael Bay-produced horror film '' The Unborn'' (2009). In college, she appeared in single episodes of television series such as '' Gossip Girl'', '' The Good Wife'', ''Grey's Anatomy'', and '' In Treatment''. Brosnahan's early roles include performances in two short films directed by Ari Aster, ''Basically'' (2013), and '' Munchausen'' (2014). After college, she began landing recurring roles in series such as the crime thriller '' The Blacklist'' (2014) and the short-lived medical drama '' Black Box'' (2014).

She first appeared on stage in 2009 in ''Up'' at Steppenwolf Theatre followed by her Broadway debut in '' The Big Knife'' with Roundabout Theatre Company in 2013. In 2016, she played Desdemona in '' Othello'' at New York Theatre Workshop opposite David Oyelowo and Daniel Craig.

Breakthrough with ''The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'' (20132020)

In 2013, she starred as Rachel Posner in the critically acclaimed Netflix political drama '' House of Cards'' with Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. Although she was initially booked for only two episodes, she caught the eye of showrunner Beau Willimon, and her character was significantly expanded. Her role brought her career prominence, and she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2016, she appeared in Woody Allen's Amazon series '' Crisis in Six Scenes'' with Allen, Elaine May and Miley Cyrus.

Starting in 2017, Brosnahan appeared as the title character in the Amazon period comedy series '' The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel''. She has said that her exposure to Jewish culture growing up helped prepare her for the role of Midge Maisel, a 1950s Jewish housewife who pursues a career in stand-up comedy when her marriage fails. Her performance has earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, two Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Critics' Choice Television Awards, among other accolades.

In 2019, Brosnahan launched the production company Scrap Paper Pictures.

Broadway and films (2020present)

Brosnahan appeared in the drama film '' The Courier'' with Benedict Cumberbatch, released in January 2020. In December 2020, Amazon released '' I'm Your Woman'', in which she starred with Arinzé Kene and produced. In 2022, she starred in the western '' Dead for a Dollar'' which premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival. In 2023, she starred in the revival of Lorraine Hansberry's '' The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window'' opposite Oscar Isaac first at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and later produced at the James Earl Jones Theatre on Broadway directed by Anne Kauffman. She received positive reviews for her performance as well as a Drama League Award nomination for Outstanding Distinguished Performer.

In 2025, Brosnahan will star as Lois Lane in the DC Universe superhero film ''Superman'', from director James Gunn. She also stars in the espionage thriller '' The Amateur''.

Personal life

It was reported in 2018 that Brosnahan had married actor Jason Ralph, but she later revealed in January 2019 that they had been married "for years" before their relationship became public. Both attended the 76th Golden Globe Awards ceremony in 2019, where she thanked him during her award acceptance speech.

Brosnahan is the niece of handbag designer Kate Spade (born Katherine Noel Brosnahan), who was married to Andy Spade, the older brother of actor and comedian David Spade.

Brosnahan has twice completed the " Live Below the Line" challenge.

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre

Awards and nominations

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Brosnahan, Rachel
1990 births
21st-century American actresses
People from Highland Park, Illinois
Actresses from Illinois
Actresses from Milwaukee
American film actresses
American people of British descent
American people of Irish descent
American television actresses
American voice actresses
Best Musical or Comedy Actress Golden Globe (television) winners
Highland Park High School (Illinois) alumni
Living people
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Screen Actors Guild Award winners
Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award winners
Tisch School of the Arts alumni