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Lisa Rinna
Lisa Rinna6crop.jpg
Rinna modeling at The Heart Truth Fashion Show 2008
Born (1963-07-11) July 11, 1963 (age 61)
Occupation Actress, television personality, model
Years active 1985–present
Known for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Days of Our Lives
Melrose Place
Spouse(s)
(m. 1997)
Children 2, including Amelia Gray Hamlin

Lisa Rinna (born July 11, 1963) is an American actress, television personality and model. She portrayed Billie Reed on the NBC daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives and Taylor McBride on Fox's television drama Melrose Place. Between 2014 and 2022, Rinna starred on Bravo's reality television series The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Other television credits include being a contestant on NBC's The Celebrity Apprentice and ABC's Dancing with the Stars, as well as guest-starring roles on Entourage, Veronica Mars, Community, The Middle, and American Horror Stories. Rinna made her Broadway debut in Chicago as Roxie Hart in June 2007.

She was the host of Soapnet's talk show Soap Talk (2002–2006), for which she earned four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Talk Show Host. Rinna has written three books. Her other ventures include a fashion line for QVC named The Lisa Rinna Collection, the cosmetics collection Rinna Beauty, and the beverage company Rinna Wines.

Early life

Lisa Rinna was born July 11, 1963 in Newport Beach, California to Lois Irene (née DeAndrade) and Frank Rinna. She is of Italian, Portuguese, and English descent. When Lisa was seven, her older half sister Laurene passed away. During that same year, her family relocated to Medford, Oregon, when her father was transferred there for job-related reasons, and she spent the remainder of her childhood there. Rinna graduated from Medford Senior High School in 1981. After graduating, Rinna moved to San Francisco, California, to pursue a career as a model. She started her career by appearing in commercials. "I think I got my SAG card doing a Mervyn's commercial,” she told the Los Angeles Times.

Career

1981–1991: Career beginnings

After graduating from high school, Rinna moved to San Francisco to pursue a career as a model. She started her career by appearing in commercials and believed she obtained her SAG card "doing a Mervyn's commercial".

At age 21, Rinna appeared in the music video for John Parr's single "Naughty Naughty," as the passenger in Parr's car. Rinna later made her television debut appearing as the girlfriend of Jason Bateman's character in several episodes of The Hogan Family in 1990.

1992–1999: Soap opera stardom

In 1992, she first played the character of Billie Reed on NBC's Days of Our Lives. Her character earned Rinna two consecutive Soap Opera Digest Awards. She departed in 1995, but went on to reprise the role in 2002, 2012, and 2018.

She then made the jump to primetime television, portraying Taylor McBride on Aaron Spelling's Melrose Place from 1996 to 1998.

Through the late 1990s, Rinna appeared in a series of television films.

2000–2007: Subsequent roles and venture into hosting

In 2000, Rinna starred in the Lifetime film, Another Woman's Husband, which boasted one of the highest ratings for a movie on Lifetime since 1999.

In 2001, Rinna played the role of Veronica Simpson in the comedy film Good Advice, which starred Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards.

Rinna was the host of Soap Talk (2002-2006), the flagship daily lifestyle show of cable network Soapnet. She and co-host Ty Treadway received four consecutive Daytime Emmy Award nominations for their work. At the same time, Rinna hosted three seasons of Lifetime's TV home makeover program Merge.

In 2004, Rinna guest-starred on the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules and the CW drama Veronica Mars, playing the recurring role of Lynn Echolls on the latter.

In 2006, Rinna competed in the second season of Dancing with the Stars with professional dancer Louis van Amstel. She was eliminated in round seven based on audience voting, despite having higher marks from the judges than fellow celebrity dancer Jerry Rice. She was a regular guest co-host on Live with Regis and Kelly.

In 2007, she portrayed Drama's ex-girlfriend Donna Devaney on HBO's Entourage, in the episode "Malibooty."

Over the summer of 2007, Rinna starred as Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago alongside her husband, who played the role of Billy Flynn.

In 2007, she also hosted Oxygen's Tease, a reality competition series for hairstylists. From 2007 to 2009, she was the host of TV Guide Network's awards season red carpet coverage, replacing Joan Rivers.

2008–2013: Expansion into reality TV and entrepreneurship

Lisa Rinna5
Lisa Rinna modeling at The Heart Truth Fashion Show in 2008

In 2008, she appeared in Disney Channel's musical comedy television series Hannah Montana, in the role of Mr. Dontzig's cousin Francesca. That same year, TV Guide reported that Rinna and Hamlin had signed a deal to create a reality television series based on their family life. The series, titled Harry Loves Lisa, premiered on TV Land on October 6, 2010, and ran for 6 episodes.

In 2008, she released a series of workout videos called Dance Body Beautiful.

In 2009, she graced the covers of CVLUX, Living Well, Soap Opera Magazine and Soap Opera Digest.

In 2009, Rinna expressed interest in reprising her role of Taylor McBride on the CW's revival Melrose Place, if given the offer; however, the series was cancelled after only one season. In 2010, she was also featured as a guest judge on the fourth episode of the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race.

In 2011, Rinna appeared on Nickelodeon's Big Time Rush as Brooke Diamond. Rinna then competed in season 4 of The Celebrity Apprentice. She was eliminated after being the project manager on the second task, writing and performing a children's book. Rinna returned to the show in its sixth season as one of the "All-Stars" contestants. After being eliminated from that roster, she appeared on the May 13, 2013, episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon with Lil Jon to discuss their time on the show.

Rinna and her husband Harry Hamlin jointly owned the Belle Gray clothing boutique in Sherman Oaks, California in 2011. They closed the store in 2012 because, by then, both had grown too busy with their respective acting careers to manage it.

Rinna began appearing in more commercials and print ads during this time in her career. She appeared in print ads for Mars Inc's M&M candies with Joey Fatone as part of the "There's an M&M in everyone" advertising campaign. In 2012, Rinna appeared in an infomercial for abdominal muscle toner "The Flex Belt" alongside Adrianne Curry, Denise Richards and Janet Evans. She has appeared in a television commercial for Taco Bell and an infomercial for Winsor Pilates. In 2012 to benefit the charity Dress for Success, she modeled an adult incontinence brief made by Depend under a tight-fitting evening gown. She appeared in print ads and commercials for Depend and, according to reports, Depend paid her $2 million to be their celebrity spokesperson.

In April 2012, Rinna brought her collection to QVC as the Lisa Rinna Collection.

2014–2022: Established reality TV star

In 2014, she appeared as one of the contestants on ABC's game show Sing Your Face Off.

In 2014, Rinna joined the main cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for the show's fifth season. Her casting is often credited with 'saving' the series midway through its run, delivering a substantial boost in ratings. She acknowledged in a 2019 Los Angeles Times interview that being a Housewife brought her unprecedented attention: "I've never been more famous than I am at this point, because of the show."

In June 2019, Rinna launched an activewear collaboration with retailer Goldsheep. Proceeds from the collaboration benefited The Trevor Project, a national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth. In September 2019, she walked the runway for Kyle Richards' and Shahida Clayton's new women's clothing brand at New York Fashion Week.

In September 2020, Rinna announced that she will be launching Rinna Beauty, with its lip kits named Birthday Suit, Legends Only, and No Apologies.

In 2021, Rinna reprised her role of Billie Reed for a special Peacock miniseries, Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem, alongside costars Deidre Hall, Eileen Davidson, and Jackée Harry. She has continued to appear in television roles, with guest parts on series including C.S.I., The Middle, The Guest Book, Awkward. and This Close.

In August 2022, Rinna announced on an episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills she is in the process of entering the alcoholic beverage industry with a product called Rinna Rosé.

2023–present: Post-Housewives career

On January 6, 2023, Rinna announced her departure from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills after eight seasons.

In 2023, Rinna guest starred on the third season of American Horror Stories.

Legacy

Rinna is credited as one of the best Housewives. In 2020, a Buzzfeed profile on Rinna observed: "She’s created her own brand of iconic absurdity with her self-help catchphrases (“Own it, baby!!”), tearful controversies about stuffed rabbits, and one of the most aggressive glass-breaking scenes in Housewives history (a tall order in the franchise)." She was nominated as Favorite Reality Star at the People's Choice Awards for her role in the show.

Personal life

Rinna married actor Harry Hamlin on March 29, 1997, in Beverly Hills, California. The couple have two daughters, Delilah Belle and Amelia Gray.

She has acknowledged having plastic surgery and having silicone, Botox and Juvéderm injections. Although she remains fond of Botox, she has said that using Juvéderm was a mistake.

On November 15, 2021, Rinna announced that her mother Lois, who was featured in The Real Housewives franchise, died of a stroke.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1988 Captive Rage Lucy Delacorte
1990 Monday Morning Susan Pevensie
The Hogan Family Annie Derrick 4 episodes
1991 Lies Before Kisses Adrianne Arness TV movie
Shades of L.A. Holly Episode: "Send Up the Clowns"
Baywatch Kelly Episode: "Thin or Die"
1992 Night Sins Billie Reed TV movie
1992–1995, 2002–2003, 2012–2013, 2018 Days of Our Lives 679 episodes
1993 Robot Wars Annie
1994 Winter Heat Billie Reed TV movie
1995 Vanished Marielle Delauney
1996–1998 Melrose Place Taylor McBride Main cast; 66 episodes
1997 Close to Danger Jennifer Cole TV movie
1998 House Rules Cassiopa "Cassie" Devine Episode: "Pilot"
Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Contessa Valentina "Val" de Allegro Fontaine TV movie
2000 Another Woman's Husband Laurel McArthur
Movie Stars Amy Wells Hunter 1 episode
2001 Oh, Baby Michelle Grant TV movie
..., Lies & Obsession Joanna Thomas
Good Advice Veronica Simpson
2002 My Adventures in Television Samantha Episode: "The Chinese Baby"
2002–2006 Soap Talk Herself / co-host Main cast; 104 episodes
2003-2005 Merge Main cast; 56 episodes
2004 8 Simple Rules Holly Episode: "YMCA"
2004–2005 Veronica Mars Lynn Echolls 3 episodes
2006 Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant
2006 Wheel of Fortune Herself Soap Stars Week Episode 2
2006–2023 Live with Regis and Kelly Herself / Guest / Guest Co-Host 24 episodes
2007 Tease Herself / Host Herself; 6 episodes
Entourage Donna Devaney Episode: "Malibooty"
2008 Hannah Montana Francesca Episode: "Killing Me Softly with His Height"
2010 Community Chantelle Cahill Episode: "The Art of Discourse"
Harry Loves Lisa Herself Main role; 6 episodes
The Real Housewives of New York City Episode: "Fashion and Fighting"
2010, 2020 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself / Guest Judge Season 2, Episode 4: "Snatch Game" (2010)
Season 12, Episode 13: "Reunited: Alone Together" (2020)
2011 Big Time Rush Brooke Diamond Episode: "Big Time Moms"
The Celebrity Apprentice 4 Herself Season 11
2013 All-Star Celebrity Apprentice Season 13
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Amanda's Mother Episode: "Episode #22.22"
2014 Sing Your Face Off Herself Contestant; Season 1
Awkward. Eva Mansfield Episode: "Snow Job: Part 1"
2014–2022 The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Herself Main role; 180 episodes
2015 Bound & Babysitting Jane TV movie
The Real Housewives of Orange County Herself Episode: "Suspicious Minds"
C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation Tori Nolan Episode: "Under My Skin"
The Hotwives of Las Vegas Kendra Episode: "What Happens in Vegas... Seriously, What Happens There?"
2017 The Middle Tammy Brooks Episode: "Meet the Parents"
Grannie Miss Hanigan Short film
2018 The Guest Book Loretta Episode: "Invisible Son"
2019 This Close Priscilla Episode: "Three's Company"
2020 Celebrity Family Feud Herself Episode: "Andy Cohen vs. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Kevin Nealon vs. Drew Carey"
2021 Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Billie Reed Main role; 5 episodes
The Shrink Next Door Lisa Rinna 2 episodes
The Prince Episodes: "Playdate" and "Beverly Hills"
2022 The Great North Episode: "Dances with Wolfs Adventure"
2023 American Horror Stories Sheila Klein Episode: "Tapeworm"
The Talk Herself / Guest Co-Host 9 episodes
2024 So Help Me Todd Jennifer Gianola Episode: "Iceland Was Horrible"
Mommy Meanest Madelyn TV movie
Lopez vs Lopez Lisa Perry Season 2, Episode 8: "Lopez vs Lisa"
Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World Herself / Guest judge Season 2, Episode 2: "The Hole"

Theater

Year Title Role Venue
2007 Chicago Roxie Hart Broadway

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Title of work Result
1994 Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Female Newcomer Days of Our Lives Won
1995 Hottest Soap Couple
2003 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Talk Show Host Soap Talk Nominated
2005
2006
2007
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