Wissenswertes

Was asked by Peter Jackson to audition for the role of "Galadriel" in Der Herr der Ringe: Die Gefährten (2001), but had to back out after becoming pregnant and was worried production would get delayed.

According to the book "The Evil Dead Companion", she was horrified by Tanz der Teufel (1981) and wondered what kind of people could make such a movie. Not only did she end up working with these same people, since Sam Raimi later created Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995) and Xena: Die Kriegerprinzessin (1995), she ultimately married one of them, producer Rob Tapert.

Said that her partner at Xena: Die Kriegerprinzessin (1995), Renée O'Connor, has been one of the few people who have joined her true friends from youth. As an example, she invited her to her wedding with Rob Tapert. They also appear together at conventions.

Wanted to be an opera singer until she was 16, then learned that they have a strict diet and were not allowed to stay out all night. After that she changed her mind, but still sings. Her vocal range is alto.

A natural ash blonde, she dyed her hair black for Xena: Die Kriegerprinzessin (1995).

The dwarf planet Eris was originally informally named Xena, with its moon nicknamed Gabrielle (after Xena's sidekick). The official names, Eris and Dysnomia, refer to Greek goddesses associated with *lawless* behavior.

Speaks German, French, some Italian.

Says she had "no regrets" about boarding and preventing an oil-drilling ship from leaving a New Zealand dock in 2012, for which she was arrested. She pleaded guilty on June 14, 2012, to trespass charges.

Awarded the New Zealand Order Of Merit (NZOM), Queen's Birthday Honours 2004, for services to NZ entertainment and the community.

Gave birth to her first child at age 20, daughter Daisy Lawless, on July 15, 1988. Child's father is her first husband, Garth Lawless.

Gave birth to her third child at age 34, son Judah Miro Tapert, on May 7, 2002. Child's father is her second husband, Rob Tapert.

Was offered the role of "Ellen Tigh" in Battlestar Galactica (2004), but turned it down. That role was played by Kate Vernon, and the scriptwriters created another role for her, "D'anna Biers".

In October 1996 she fractured her pelvis after falling from a horse while practicing a scene for Folge #4.256 (1996). This resulted in several second-season episodes of Xena: Die Kriegerprinzessin (1995) being rewritten to focus on Gabrielle and other characters, with minimal screen time for Xena herself.

Member of the Starship Foundation board of trustees since 2000. Starship is NZ's main children's hospital.

In 1991 studied drama at the William Davis Center for Actors Study under William B. Davis.

In 1997 was chosen by "People" magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World.

Gave birth to her second child at age 31, son Julius Robert Bay Tapert, on October 16, 1999. Child's father is her second husband, Rob Tapert.

A vocal supporter of gay rights, she is considered something of a gay icon. After the cancellation of Xena: Die Kriegerprinzessin (1995), she said she considered her character a lesbian. Since that time she has also worked to support equal protections for gay and lesbian couples, including protesting Proposition 8, which stripped gay and lesbian couples of the right to wed in California.

Owns a holiday house at Taupo on the shores of Lake Taupo, New Zealand.

Sister-in-law of Mary Beth Tapert.

She began acting in secondary school, performing in her first musical at age 10.

Born at 6:25 AM (NZT).