Lucy Lawless was born Lucille Frances Lawless on March 29, 1968, in Mount Albert, Auckland, New Zealand. She is the fifth of seven children of Frank Lawless, a banker and the mayor of Mount Albert, and Julie Ryan, a teacher. Lawless attended Auckland University for a short period before traveling through Europe and Australia.
Lawless began her acting career in New Zealand television, appearing in shows like “Funny Business,” “The Ray Bradbury Theatre,” and “High Tide.” Her breakthrough role came with her appearance as the character Lyla in the television movie “Hercules and the Amazon Women” (1994), part of the “Hercules” franchise.
Lawless gained international recognition for her role as Xena in the television series “Xena: Warrior Princess” (1995-2001). Originally intended as a three-episode arc on “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,” Xena’s popularity led to her own spin-off series. The show became a cult phenomenon, known for its strong female lead, action sequences, and themes of redemption and female empowerment. Lawless performed many of her own stunts and received critical acclaim for her portrayal of the iconic warrior.
Following “Xena: Warrior Princess,” Lawless continued to work in television and film. She appeared in recurring roles on shows such as “Battlestar Galactica” (as D’Anna Biers/Number Three), “Parks and Recreation” (as Diane Lewis), and “Spartacus” (as Lucretia). She has also made guest appearances on numerous other shows, including “The X-Files,” “Two and a Half Men,” “Veronica Mars,” and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”
Lawless has appeared in a variety of films, including: