Portia de Rossi

Photo of Portia de Rossi

Biography

A willowy blonde with a deft touch in comic roles, Portia de Rossi excelled at presenting the highs and lows of wealthy and powerful women in such television series as "Ally McBeal" (Fox, 1997-2002) and "Arrested Development" (Fox, 2003-06). A former child model, she endured personal hardships regarding her weight and self-esteem while making her way into acting; supporting parts in minor television series preceded her star-making turn as a …
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Job Title

Actor

Born

Amanda Lee Rogers on January 31, 1973 in Melbourne, Victoria, AU

Career Milestones

2009

Co-starred with Jay Harrington in the short-lived ABC series "Better Off Ted"

2007

Joined the fifth season of FX's "Nip/Tuck" as Julia McNamara's new girlfriend Olivia Lord

2005

Starred in the Wes Craven thriller "Crused"

2003

Portrayed Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in the made for TV movie "America's Prince: The John F. Kennedy Jr. Story" (TBS)

2003

Co-starred in the FOX comedy series "Arrested Development" as Lindsay Bluth Fünke

2001

Starred in "Who is Cletis Tout" with Tim Allen and Christian Slater

1998

Joined cast of the hit FOX comedy "Ally McBeal" as lawyer Nelle Porter

1997

Had featured role in "Scream 2"

1996

Was series regular on The WB sitcom "Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher"

1995

Had regular role of Maria Hunter on the short-lived Fox sitcom "Too Something"

1995

Portrayed a drug addict in "The Woman in the Moon"

1995

Moved to Los Angeles

1994

First significant role, playing a young model in the Australian film, "Sirens"

1987

Adopted stage name of Portia de Rossi

1984

Began career as model; also appeared in TV commercials in Australia

Awards

2006

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Arrested Development

2005

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Arrested Development

2001

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Ally McBeal

2000

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Ally McBeal

1999

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in Ally McBeal