Birthday: 29 July 1980, New York City, New York, USA
Birth Name: Rachel Anne Miner
Height: 159 cm
Rachel Miner wanted to be an actress from age two. She began working with an acting coach at eight, got an agent at nine and, by ten, had not only worked for Woody Allen, but was cast as "Michelle Bauer" on The Guiding Light (1952) (a part that started as recurring and evolved into a contract role lasting nearly five years (1990-1995) and...
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Rachel Miner wanted to be an actress from age two. She began working with an acting coach at eight, got an agent at nine and, by ten, had not only worked for Woody Allen, but was cast as "Michelle Bauer" on The Guiding Light (1952) (a part that started as recurring and evolved into a contract role lasting nearly five years (1990-1995) and earning her three Young Artist Awards and an Emmy nomination).Born into a show business family, she represents the third generation of Miners to take to the theatre, film and television. Her father, Peter Miner, is an Emmy-winning director and noted New York acting teacher (at T. Schreiber Studio), directing teacher (at Columbia University) and acting coach. Her mother, Diane, a writer and off-off-Broadway director, teaches and coaches acting with her husband. Her grandparents were producer/director Worthington Miner and actress Frances Fuller. Her brother is actor Peter Miner.Rachel has played roles, ranging from addicts, prostitutes, murderers and murder victims to innocent brides or understanding veterinary techs in dozens of films and television series, with recurring roles as an ambitious, amoral secretary (in Showtime's Californication (2007) and a kick-ass demon (in the CW's Supernatural (2005). Whether terrorized by a psychopath or playing one, there seems little that daunts this fearless young actress.In addition to her film and television work, Rachel has several noteworthy theatrical credits. At fourteen, she appeared in Laura Cahill's "The Way at Naked Angels" (1994). She made her Broadway debut at seventeen, playing "Margo Frank" to Natalie Portman's "Anne" in Wendy Kesselman's adaptation of "The Diary of Anne Frank" (1996/97), directed by James Lapine. She originated the role of "Rivkele" in Donald Margulies' adaptation of Sholom Asch's "God of Vengeance" (2000), directed by Gordon Edelstein at ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) in Seattle. She also originated the role of "Sandy" in Rebecca Gilman's "Blue Surge" (2001), directed by Robert Falls at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago (and reprised in 2002 at The Public Theatre in New York). Show less «
[on the character of "Meg" on Supernatural (2005)] I like the character and her strength, even thoug...Show more »
[on the character of "Meg" on Supernatural (2005)] I like the character and her strength, even though she's not a good guy. Meg is definitely tough, always has that sense of flirting, and is trying to keep some sense of integrity, even in the worst-case scenario. Unlike some characters, who are total victims in certain circumstances, she's trying to hold onto a position of power when she obviously doesn't have it. Show less «
Ultimately, the marriage [to Macaulay Culkin] was a choice made with our hearts, not with our heads.
Ultimately, the marriage [to Macaulay Culkin] was a choice made with our hearts, not with our heads.
His [Brad Renfro's] enthusiasm and openness were contagious. He made mistakes, but he deserves to be...Show more »
His [Brad Renfro's] enthusiasm and openness were contagious. He made mistakes, but he deserves to be remembered for more than that. He was one of the most genuine, caring and talented people I've ever known. Amazingly sharp. Sometimes a goof-ball. Loved to make you laugh. Show less «
I'm not cool, quite the opposite. I'm a real geek.
I'm not cool, quite the opposite. I'm a real geek.
I don't think I can play a role without falling in love with something about her, even the most desp...Show more »
I don't think I can play a role without falling in love with something about her, even the most despicable people who I have portrayed had some aspect of them which I found beautiful. Show less «
Basically, I get paid to be crazy. I get paid to believe I'm someone else, live in a completely fals...Show more »
Basically, I get paid to be crazy. I get paid to believe I'm someone else, live in a completely false reality, and believe it's real. And that's a little scary. And I do it to the best of my ability. But it's kind of like swimming out to sea. You have to leave enough energy to swim back, and sometimes you get scared you swam too far. Show less «
[on if she were a baseball player, what would her walk up song be] I am feeling a bit uncool (not an...Show more »
[on if she were a baseball player, what would her walk up song be] I am feeling a bit uncool (not an unfamiliar feeling to me), I should have an awesome, straightforward answer to this signature question, but I really don't. I have truly eclectic taste in music and I seem to cycle through phases in terms of to what's inspiring me. I'll go from Beethoven to Sigur Ros; World Music, Brit-pop, Classic Rock, Blues/Jazz, even the odd bit of Heavy metal. Show less «
[on back-story] I always like to know details and the more the better in terms of understanding the ...Show more »
[on back-story] I always like to know details and the more the better in terms of understanding the character. I love when they [the writers] give us little pieces of information. Show less «
[interview with Virgil T. Parker] I think the most important aspect of working a character is the em...Show more »
[interview with Virgil T. Parker] I think the most important aspect of working a character is the empathy that you were discussing. I think that you don't have to like the person or agree with the person as an audience or an actor, but you certainly have to understand them fully. Show less «
[on if she has any hidden talents or hobbies] Offhand I can't think of any hidden talents, I do love...Show more »
[on if she has any hidden talents or hobbies] Offhand I can't think of any hidden talents, I do love to try many things, but by my assessment, I am not uniquely talented at any of them. As for hobbies, I have many, but most especially, I love to read, watch documentaries and go on study tangents (you name the subject, I just love finding out about it). Show less «
[about her participation in "The Diary of Anne Frank"] We did [a pre-Broadway run] in Boston and I w...Show more »
[about her participation in "The Diary of Anne Frank"] We did [a pre-Broadway run] in Boston and I was hit by a car. So, I missed the opening and the couple of months of the show in New York. No one has said "Break a leg" to me ever since. Show less «
I was a little adult for my age as a teenager, and I didn't feel like I socially fit in with my peer...Show more »
I was a little adult for my age as a teenager, and I didn't feel like I socially fit in with my peers. While I was talking about how awesome Twin Peaks (1990) was, the other kids were raving about Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990). Show less «
I've done teaching and things like that because if you're acting, you're becoming other human beings...Show more »
I've done teaching and things like that because if you're acting, you're becoming other human beings, and you need to have time to find who you are as well. Show less «