Elizabeth Reaser

Elizabeth Ann Reaser was born on July 2, 1975, in Bloomfield, Michigan. The middle of three sisters, she grew up in Milford, MI. Her early experiences included working various odd jobs, such as being a caddie. Reaser harbored an ambition to become an actress from a young age. She initially attended Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan, for one year before gaining acceptance into the Drama Division of The Juilliard School. She earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) from Juilliard in 1999. Her early career involved work on daytime dramas, including “Guiding Light,” and stage productions, showcasing her dedication to the craft.

Reaser’s career progressed through a combination of consistent television, film, and stage work. She gained early recognition for roles in independent films like “Sweet Land” (2005), which earned her a Jury Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead. Her television career saw significant turning points with recurring roles, including her portrayal of Ava/Rebecca Pope in “Grey’s Anatomy” (2007-2008), for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. This exposure led to her starring in the short-lived series “The Ex List” (2008).

A pivotal moment in Reaser’s career was her casting as Esme Cullen in “The Twilight Saga” film series, beginning with “Twilight” (2008). She reprised this role in subsequent films, including “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” (2009), “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” (2010), and “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” (2011) and “Part 2” (2012). Beyond “Twilight,” she has appeared in acclaimed television series such as “The Good Wife” (2010-2012), “Mad Men” (2015), “The Handmaid’s Tale” (2019), and her critically praised role as Adult Shirley Crain in “The Haunting of Hill House” (2018). Her film work also includes “The Family Stone” (2005), “Young Adult” (2011), and “Ouija: Origin of Evil” (2016).