Rebel Wilson
Encyclopedia
Rebel Wilson is an Australian actress, writer, and stand-up comedienne
, known for her roles in the television series Pizza
and Bogan Pride
and the film Bridesmaids
.
with her three siblings, Liberty, Ryot and Annachi. Liberty and Ryot were on the first season of The Amazing Race Australia
. Her parents were professional dog showers. Throughout high school Wilson's first career choice was mathematics. Wilson told The Sydney Morning Herald
, "I was very academic at high school and was always good with numbers." Wilson attended the University of New South Wales
, where she studied Law and Arts (Theatre and Performance Studies). She is a former Rotary International Youth Ambassador for Australia and was based in South Africa for one year, where she contracted malaria. Wilson had hallucinations in which she saw herself as an actress who had won an Oscar. This then convinced her to pursue an acting career.
In July 2011, Wilson became a spokesperson for weight loss and nutrition company Jenny Craig in Australia.
Training Centre. Wilson is a writer, producer and stand-up comedian, and has appeared with the Sydney Theatre Company
and performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. She first came to the public's attention with her stage musical The Westie Monologues which she wrote, starred in and produced in Sydney. Her follow-up stage productions which she wrote, produced and starred in include Spunks and Confessions of an Exchange Student.
In Australia, Wilson is most known for her roles as Toula on SBS comedy series Pizza
and as various characters on the sketch comedy series The Wedge. Wilson played an Australian Idol
mad schoolgirl in a series of Telstra
advertisements shown during Australian Idol from 2004 to 2005. She also had roles in the feature films Fat Pizza and Ghost Rider
. In 2008, Wilson created, wrote, produced and starred in the musical comedy series Bogan Pride
on SBS One and also starred in the improvisational Nine Network
series Monster House
.
In 2009, Wilson won the Tropfest
Best Actress award for her role in the film Bargain. She has made appearances on the improvisational comedy show Thank God You're Here
and the comedy game show Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation
. She also performed stand-up on the television special The Breast Darn Show In Town. Wilson guest starred in the Seven Network
drama City Homicide
and performed improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade
in Los Angeles.
Upon moving to the United States, Wilson signed to talent and literary agents William Morris Endeavor
. Her first US film role came in the Judd Apatow
film Bridesmaids
, where she played Brynn, the sister of Matt Lucas
' character. Wilson then appeared in the CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement
and on the Comedy Central
series, Workaholics. She co-hosted the 2010 ARIA Music Awards
and performed at the inaugural Variety's Power of Comedy event in Los Angeles with Lucas and Russell Brand
.
In early 2011, Wilson filmed A Few Best Men
at Fox Studios Australia. Wilson will appear in rom-com This Means War
, alongside Reese Witherspoon
. She has also filmed a role in Small Apartments
. On 11 July 2011, it was announced Wilson had joined the ensemble comedy What to Expect When You're Expecting
as Janice. She has also joined the upcoming Indie film, Struck By Lightning
. Wilson was named one of Variety
magazine's "Top Ten Comics To Watch for 2011."
On 19 August 2011, The Hollywood Reporter
reported Wilson had replaced Casey Wilson
in the upcoming film Bachelorette
. The magazine also reported Wilson has become the first person to be cast in the romantic comedy Pitch Perfect and she will appear in Ice Age: Continental Drift
.
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
, known for her roles in the television series Pizza
Pizza (TV series)
Pizza is an Australian black comedy television series on the Australian television network, SBS. It has also spun off a feature length movie in 2003, and in 2004 released a highlights video/DVD which also included previously unshown footage and a schoolies exposé theatre show entitled "Fat Pizza"...
and Bogan Pride
Bogan Pride
Bogan Pride is an Australian comedy television series which first screened on SBS TV in 2008. The six-part series created by and starring actress, Rebel Wilson, is directed by Peter Templeman and produced by Tony Ayres and Michael McMahon . The series centres around the life of a teenage bogan girl...
and the film Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids (2011 film)
Bridesmaids is a 2011 American romantic comedy film written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, directed by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel, and Clayton Townsend. The plot centers on Annie ....
.
Early and personal life
"Rebel" is her real given name. Wilson was born and raised in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
with her three siblings, Liberty, Ryot and Annachi. Liberty and Ryot were on the first season of The Amazing Race Australia
The Amazing Race Australia
The Amazing Race Australia is an Australian reality television game show based on the American reality television series, The Amazing Race that is broadcast on the Seven Network. The series features eleven teams of two who are in a pre-existing personal relationship, and follow the various...
. Her parents were professional dog showers. Throughout high school Wilson's first career choice was mathematics. Wilson told The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
, "I was very academic at high school and was always good with numbers." Wilson attended the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, where she studied Law and Arts (Theatre and Performance Studies). She is a former Rotary International Youth Ambassador for Australia and was based in South Africa for one year, where she contracted malaria. Wilson had hallucinations in which she saw herself as an actress who had won an Oscar. This then convinced her to pursue an acting career.
In July 2011, Wilson became a spokesperson for weight loss and nutrition company Jenny Craig in Australia.
Career
Wilson studied at the Australian Theatre for Young People. In 2003, she moved to New York after she won a scholarship with The Second CityThe Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
Training Centre. Wilson is a writer, producer and stand-up comedian, and has appeared with the Sydney Theatre Company
Sydney Theatre Company
The Sydney Theatre Company is one of Australia's best-known theatre companies operating from The Wharf Theatre near The Rocks area of Sydney, as well as the Sydney Theatre and the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre....
and performed at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. She first came to the public's attention with her stage musical The Westie Monologues which she wrote, starred in and produced in Sydney. Her follow-up stage productions which she wrote, produced and starred in include Spunks and Confessions of an Exchange Student.
In Australia, Wilson is most known for her roles as Toula on SBS comedy series Pizza
Pizza (TV series)
Pizza is an Australian black comedy television series on the Australian television network, SBS. It has also spun off a feature length movie in 2003, and in 2004 released a highlights video/DVD which also included previously unshown footage and a schoolies exposé theatre show entitled "Fat Pizza"...
and as various characters on the sketch comedy series The Wedge. Wilson played an Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
mad schoolgirl in a series of Telstra
Telstra
Telstra Corporation Limited is an Australian telecommunications and media company, building and operating telecommunications networks and marketing voice, mobile, internet access and pay television products and services....
advertisements shown during Australian Idol from 2004 to 2005. She also had roles in the feature films Fat Pizza and Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider (film)
Ghost Rider is a 2007 superhero film written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Based on the character of the same name which appeared in Marvel Comics, the film stars Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze, a stunt motorcyclist who sells his soul to the Devil and transforms into thevigilante Ghost...
. In 2008, Wilson created, wrote, produced and starred in the musical comedy series Bogan Pride
Bogan Pride
Bogan Pride is an Australian comedy television series which first screened on SBS TV in 2008. The six-part series created by and starring actress, Rebel Wilson, is directed by Peter Templeman and produced by Tony Ayres and Michael McMahon . The series centres around the life of a teenage bogan girl...
on SBS One and also starred in the improvisational Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
series Monster House
Monster House (Australian TV series)
Monster House was an Australian reality/comedy television series broadcast on the Nine Network. Debuting on 12 February 2008, the program was hosted by Bernard Curry, brother of Stephen and Andrew Curry....
.
In 2009, Wilson won the Tropfest
Tropfest
Tropfest is the world's largest short film festival.Tropfest began in 1993 as a screening for 200 people in a cafe in Sydney but has since become the largest platform for short films in the world. Tropfest Australia takes place in February each year in front of a live audience of approximately...
Best Actress award for her role in the film Bargain. She has made appearances on the improvisational comedy show Thank God You're Here
Thank God You're Here
Thank God You're Here is an Australian television improvised comedy program created by Working Dog Productions, which premiered on Network Ten on 5 April 2006, and aired for the first three seasons with Seven for the fourth season...
and the comedy game show Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation
Talkin' 'bout your Generation
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation is an Australian game show produced by Granada Productions which premiered on Network Ten on 5 May 2009. It is hosted by Shaun Micallef....
. She also performed stand-up on the television special The Breast Darn Show In Town. Wilson guest starred in the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
drama City Homicide
City Homicide
City Homicide was an Australian television drama series that aired on the Seven Network between 27 August 2007 – 30 March 2011. The series was set on the Homicide floor of a metropolitan police headquarters in Melbourne...
and performed improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade
Upright Citizens Brigade
The Upright Citizens Brigade is an improvisational comedy and sketch comedy group that emerged from Chicago's ImprovOlympic in 1990. The most recent incarnation consists of Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh...
in Los Angeles.
Upon moving to the United States, Wilson signed to talent and literary agents William Morris Endeavor
William Morris Endeavor
WME is the largest talent agency in the world, with offices in Beverly Hills, New York City, Nashville, London, and Miami. WME represents elite artists from all facets of the entertainment industry, including motion pictures, television, music, theatre, publishing, and physical production...
. Her first US film role came in the Judd Apatow
Judd Apatow
Judd Apatow is an American film producer, director, and screenwriter. He is well known for his work in comedy films, especially for films he has been involved with throughout the latter half of the 2000s. He is the founder of Apatow Productions, a film production company that also developed the...
film Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids (2011 film)
Bridesmaids is a 2011 American romantic comedy film written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, directed by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel, and Clayton Townsend. The plot centers on Annie ....
, where she played Brynn, the sister of Matt Lucas
Matt Lucas
Matthew Richard "Matt" Lucas is an English comedian, screenwriter and actor best known for his acclaimed work with David Walliams in the television show Little Britain; as well as for his portrayals of the scorekeeping baby George Dawes in the comedy panel game Shooting Stars, Tweedledee and...
' character. Wilson then appeared in the CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement
Rules of engagement
Rules of Engagement refers to those responses that are permitted in the employment of military personnel during operations or in the course of their duties. These rules of engagement are determined by the legal framework within which these duties are being carried out...
and on the Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
series, Workaholics. She co-hosted the 2010 ARIA Music Awards
ARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association...
and performed at the inaugural Variety's Power of Comedy event in Los Angeles with Lucas and Russell Brand
Russell Brand
Russell Edward Brand is an English comedian, actor, columnist, singer, author and radio/television presenter.Brand achieved mainstream fame in the UK in 2004 for his role as host of Big Brother spin-off, Big Brother's Big Mouth. His first major film role was in the 2007 film St Trinians...
.
In early 2011, Wilson filmed A Few Best Men
A Few Best Men
A Few Best Men is an upcoming 2011 Australian comedy film written by Dean Craig and directed by Stephan Elliott. The film stars Xavier Samuel as a young groom heading to the Australian outback with his three best men for his wedding.-Plot:...
at Fox Studios Australia. Wilson will appear in rom-com This Means War
This Means War (film)
This Means War is an upcoming 2012 action comedy film directed by McG, starring Tom Hardy, Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon.-Plot:Two CIA agents go to war with one another after they discover they are dating the same woman .-Cast:* Reese Witherspoon as Lauren Scott* Chris Pine* Tom Hardy* Chelsea...
, alongside Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon
Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon , better known as Reese Witherspoon, is an American actress and film producer. Witherspoon landed her first feature role as the female lead in the film The Man in the Moon in 1991; later that year she made her television acting debut, in the cable movie Wildflower...
. She has also filmed a role in Small Apartments
Small Apartments
Small Apartments is an upcoming American film directed by Jonas Åkerlund. It tells the story of Franklin Franklin, played by Matt Lucas, who by mistake kills his landlord, played by Peter Stormare. The cast co-stars Dolph Lundgren, Johnny Knoxville, James Caan, Billy Crystal, Juno Temple, Saffron...
. On 11 July 2011, it was announced Wilson had joined the ensemble comedy What to Expect When You're Expecting
What to Expect When You're Expecting (film)
What to Expect When You're Expecting is an upcoming film directed by Kirk Jones from a screenplay by Shauna Cross and based on the book of the same name. It stars an ensemble cast of Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, Chris Rock, Brooklyn Decker, Jennifer Lopez, Rodrigo Santoro, Cameron Diaz, Rob...
as Janice. She has also joined the upcoming Indie film, Struck By Lightning
Struck by Lightning (2012 film)
Struck by Lightning is an upcoming coming-of-age comedy written by and starring Chris Colfer and directed by Brian Dannelly . After being struck by lightning and killed, a young man recounts the way he blackmailed his fellow classmates into contributing to his literary magazine...
. Wilson was named one of Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
magazine's "Top Ten Comics To Watch for 2011."
On 19 August 2011, The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter
Formerly a daily trade magazine, The Hollywood Reporter re-launched in late 2010 as a unique hybrid publication serving the entertainment industry and a consumer audience...
reported Wilson had replaced Casey Wilson
Casey Wilson
Cathryn Rose "Casey" Wilson is an American actress, comedienne and screenwriter. She was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2008–2009 and currently stars as Penny Hartz in the ABC comedy series Happy Endings....
in the upcoming film Bachelorette
Bachelorette (film)
Bachelorette is an upcoming American comedy film written and directed by Leslye Headland, and produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. The film wrapped production in New York and is now in post-production.-Plot:...
. The magazine also reported Wilson has become the first person to be cast in the romantic comedy Pitch Perfect and she will appear in Ice Age: Continental Drift
Ice Age: Continental Drift
Ice Age: Continental Drift, also known as Ice Age 4, is an upcoming American 3-D computer-animated film directed by Steve Martino and Mike Thurmeier, starring the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, with Chris Wedge and Jeremy Renner.It...
.
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Fat Pizza | Toula | |
| 2007 | Ghost Rider Ghost Rider (film) Ghost Rider is a 2007 superhero film written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Based on the character of the same name which appeared in Marvel Comics, the film stars Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze, a stunt motorcyclist who sells his soul to the Devil and transforms into thevigilante Ghost... |
Girl in Alley | |
| 2009 | Bargain! | Linda | Short film |
| 2011 | Bridesmaids Bridesmaids (2011 film) Bridesmaids is a 2011 American romantic comedy film written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, directed by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel, and Clayton Townsend. The plot centers on Annie .... |
Brynn | |
| 2011 | Small Apartments Small Apartments Small Apartments is an upcoming American film directed by Jonas Åkerlund. It tells the story of Franklin Franklin, played by Matt Lucas, who by mistake kills his landlord, played by Peter Stormare. The cast co-stars Dolph Lundgren, Johnny Knoxville, James Caan, Billy Crystal, Juno Temple, Saffron... |
Rocky | |
| 2012 | A Few Best Men A Few Best Men A Few Best Men is an upcoming 2011 Australian comedy film written by Dean Craig and directed by Stephan Elliott. The film stars Xavier Samuel as a young groom heading to the Australian outback with his three best men for his wedding.-Plot:... |
Daphne Ramme | |
| 2012 | This Means War This Means War (film) This Means War is an upcoming 2012 action comedy film directed by McG, starring Tom Hardy, Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon.-Plot:Two CIA agents go to war with one another after they discover they are dating the same woman .-Cast:* Reese Witherspoon as Lauren Scott* Chris Pine* Tom Hardy* Chelsea... |
||
| 2012 | What to Expect When You're Expecting What to Expect When You're Expecting (film) What to Expect When You're Expecting is an upcoming film directed by Kirk Jones from a screenplay by Shauna Cross and based on the book of the same name. It stars an ensemble cast of Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, Chris Rock, Brooklyn Decker, Jennifer Lopez, Rodrigo Santoro, Cameron Diaz, Rob... |
Janice | |
| 2012 | Struck by Lightning Struck by Lightning (2012 film) Struck by Lightning is an upcoming coming-of-age comedy written by and starring Chris Colfer and directed by Brian Dannelly . After being struck by lightning and killed, a young man recounts the way he blackmailed his fellow classmates into contributing to his literary magazine... |
Malerie | |
| 2012 | Bachelorette Bachelorette (film) Bachelorette is an upcoming American comedy film written and directed by Leslye Headland, and produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. The film wrapped production in New York and is now in post-production.-Plot:... |
Becky | |
| 2012 | Pitch Perfect | Fat Amy | |
| 2012 | Ice Age: Continental Drift Ice Age: Continental Drift Ice Age: Continental Drift, also known as Ice Age 4, is an upcoming American 3-D computer-animated film directed by Steve Martino and Mike Thurmeier, starring the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, with Chris Wedge and Jeremy Renner.It... |
Raz | Voice |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–07 | Pizza Pizza (TV series) Pizza is an Australian black comedy television series on the Australian television network, SBS. It has also spun off a feature length movie in 2003, and in 2004 released a highlights video/DVD which also included previously unshown footage and a schoolies exposé theatre show entitled "Fat Pizza"... |
Toula | Recurring cast; Seasons 3-5, Pizza World and Pizza World Record |
| 2006–07 | The Wedge | Various characters | Series regular; 48 episodes |
| 2007–09 | Thank God You're Here Thank God You're Here Thank God You're Here is an Australian television improvised comedy program created by Working Dog Productions, which premiered on Network Ten on 5 April 2006, and aired for the first three seasons with Seven for the fourth season... |
Various characters | Episodes: "3.04", "3.09", "4.03" & "4.09" |
| 2008 | Bogan Pride Bogan Pride Bogan Pride is an Australian comedy television series which first screened on SBS TV in 2008. The six-part series created by and starring actress, Rebel Wilson, is directed by Peter Templeman and produced by Tony Ayres and Michael McMahon . The series centres around the life of a teenage bogan girl... |
Jennie Cragg | Series regular; 6 Episodes |
| 2008 | Monster House Monster House (Australian TV series) Monster House was an Australian reality/comedy television series broadcast on the Nine Network. Debuting on 12 February 2008, the program was hosted by Bernard Curry, brother of Stephen and Andrew Curry.... |
Penelope Webb | Series regular; 10 Episodes |
| 2009 | Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation Talkin' 'bout your Generation Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation is an Australian game show produced by Granada Productions which premiered on Network Ten on 5 May 2009. It is hosted by Shaun Micallef.... |
Generation Y Guest | Episode: "Series 1, Episode 3" |
| 2009 | City Homicide City Homicide City Homicide was an Australian television drama series that aired on the Seven Network between 27 August 2007 – 30 March 2011. The series was set on the Homicide floor of a metropolitan police headquarters in Melbourne... |
Sarah Gilbert | Episode: "Dead Weight" |
| 2009 | The Breast Darn Show in Town | Herself | Comedy gala |
| 2010 | ARIA Music Awards 2010 ARIA Music Awards of 2010 The 24th Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards are a series of award ceremonies which included the 2010 ARIA Artisan Awards, ARIA Hall of Fame Awards, ARIA Fine Arts Awards and ARIA Awards. The latter ceremony took place on 7 November at the Sydney Opera House and was... |
Herself | Presenter |
| 2010 | Rules of Engagement Rules of Engagement (TV series) Rules of Engagement is a sitcom that debuted on CBS on February 5, 2007, as a midseason replacement, immediately following Two and a Half Men, in the time slot that was occupied by now-cancelled The New Adventures of Old Christine... |
Sara | Episode: "Les-bros" |
| 2011 | Workaholics | Big Money Hustla | Episode: "Straight Up Juggahos" |