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Rena Sofer

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Rena Sofer
Sofer in 2014
Born
Rena Sherel Sofer

(1968-12-02) December 2, 1968 (age 55)
Arcadia, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1984–present
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1995; div. 1997)​
​
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(m. 2003; div. 2017)​
​
​
(m. 2024)​
Children2

Rena Sherel Sofer (born December 2, 1968)[1] is an American actress, known for her appearances in daytime television, episodic guest appearances, and made-for-television movies. In 1995, Sofer received a Daytime Emmy Award for her portrayal of Lois Cerullo in the soap opera General Hospital. She reprised the role of Lois in October 2023. From 2013 to 2022, she played Quinn Fuller on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.

Early life

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Sofer was born in Arcadia, California, the daughter of Susan Sofer (née Franzblau), a psychology professor, and Martin Sofer, an Orthodox rabbi. [2]

She moved with her father and brother David to Teaneck, New Jersey, in 1970. However, when Sofer was 5 years old, they resided in Western Pennsylvania. They lived in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, where her father led Beth Samuels Jewish Center. She later attended the Frisch School, a coeducational Modern Orthodox Jewish high school in Paramus, New Jersey.[3] Sofer lived in North Bergen, New Jersey, where her father was rabbi of synagogue Temple Beth El. She graduated from North Bergen High School, then attended classes at Montclair State College.[4][5]

Career

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Daytime television

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Sofer first played Lois Marie Cerullo on General Hospital. Her first appearance was in 1993 as a band manager. However, her first high-profile role was as Rocky McKenzie on the daytime soap opera Loving (1988–1991).

Sofer is perhaps best known for her role as Lois Cerullo on General Hospital (December 15, 1993 – September 24, 1996). She later returned as a guest star (February 7–17, 1997; September 30 – October 2, 1997). Her portrayal of the outrageous Lois won Sofer a Daytime Emmy Award in 1995 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

In May 2013, it was announced that Sofer would join the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful, in a newly created role of Quinn Fuller; her first episode aired on July 12.[6] After nine years on the canvas, Sofer opted to end her run in the role of Quinn; she last aired on August 29, 2022.[7]

On September 14, 2023, People announced Sofer would reprise the role of Lois on General Hospital after a 26-year absence.[8]

Primetime television

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Sofer has appeared in several high-profile prime time television series in a guest star/supporting cast member roles: Seinfeld, Melrose Place, The Chronicle, Ed, Friends, Spin City, Blind Justice, Ghost Whisperer, 24, NCIS, and Two and a Half Men.

Sofer briefly joined the cast of the NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me!, playing the character Vicky Costa.[9] The network later cast Sofer in the short-lived US remake of the UK series Coupling. In recent years, Rena Sofer has appeared in the NBC TV series Heroes as the recurring character Heidi Petrelli, wife of aspiring politician Nathan Petrelli (Adrian Pasdar). She appeared on Two and a Half Men in 2008, as a former girlfriend of the character Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen).[10] Rena also has guest starred on Dirty Sexy Money playing an intrepid reporter[11] and played a ghost on Ghost Whisperer. In early 2010, Sofer began a recurring role on NCIS as attorney Margaret Allison Hart, a potential love interest for the character Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon). She had a brief guest role on Bones as a love interest for the character Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz).

In 2013, Sofer had a publicized appearance on Once Upon a Time, playing Snow White's mother.[12]

Film

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In film, she appeared as a love interest of Ben Stiller's character in the film Keeping the Faith, starring Jenna Elfman, Stiller and Edward Norton (who also directed). She also played a bride to-be with Melanie Griffith in Sidney Lumet's movie A Stranger Among Us and in Penelope Buitenhuis's movie The Secret of Hidden Lake.

She played the P.E. teacher Ms. Desjarden in the television film adaptation of Carrie in 2002. She starred in the television movie Always and Forever which aired October 24, 2009 on the Hallmark Channel. She has been doing TV movies since 1992, when she starred as Andrea Larson in the television movie Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style.

Personal life

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Sofer and her General Hospital co-star Wally Kurth, who played her onscreen love interest, became involved as their characters' storyline progressed. In 1995, the actors were married and had a daughter, Rosabel Rosalind Kurth. In 1997, Sofer and Kurth divorced.

Sofer married television director and producer Sanford Bookstaver in 2003. On August 5, 2005, Sofer gave birth to her second daughter, her first with Bookstaver, in Los Angeles. Sofer and Bookstaver eventually divorced in 2017. In 2019, Sofer announced they had reconciled and in April announced their engagement, and they later remarried in 2024.[13]

Filmography

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Films
Year Film Role Notes
1992 A Stranger Among Us Shayna
1992 Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style Andrea Larson TV movie
1994 Twin Sitters Judy
1996 Hostile Advances: The Kerry Ellison Story Kerry Ellison TV movie
1997 The Stepsister Darcy Canfield Ray TV movie
1998 Nightmare Street Penny Randolph
2000 Keeping the Faith Rachel Rose
2000 Traffic Helena's Friend
2001 March Hedy Pullman
2002 Carrie Miss Desjarden TV movie
2006 The Secret of Hidden Lake Maggie Dolan TV movie
2009 Rock Slyde Sara
2009 Always & Forever Grace Holland TV movie
2010 Sarah Teenage Sarah
2010 The Devil's Teardrop Joan TV movie
2011 Another Man's Wife Hadley Warner TV movie
Television
Year Film Role Notes
1987 Another World Joyce Abernathy Unknown episodes
1988–1991 Loving Amelia "Rocky" McKenzie Domeq Unknown episodes
1992 Freshman Dorm Veronica 2 episodes
1993 Herman's Head Stephanie Episode: "When Hermy Met Crawford's Girlfriend"
1993–1997
2023-Present 		General Hospital Lois Cerullo Main role
1996 Caroline in the City Risa Glickman Episode: "Caroline and the Nice Jewish Boy"
1997 Seinfeld Mary Anne Episode: "The Muffin Tops"
1998 Glory, Glory Elizabeth TV Pilot
1998 Ellen Jean Episode: "Womyn Fest"
1998 Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place Lauren Henderson Episode: "Two Guys, a Girl, and a Recovery"
1998 Timecop Dr. Carrie Ann Trent Episode: "D.O.A."
1998–1999 Melrose Place Eve Cleary Main role (Credited as a Recurring Character) 25 episodes
1999 Oh, Grow Up Suzanne Vandermeer Main role
2000 Opposite Sex Ms. Gibson Episode: "Pilot"
2000 Spin City Sam Episode: "Lost and Found"
2001 The Weber Show Dawn Cheswick Episode: "Dog Eat Dog"
2001 Ed Bonnie Hane 7 episodes
2001–2002 The Chronicle Grace Hall 22 episodes
2002 Friends Katie Episode: "The One with the Cooking Class"
2002–2003 Just Shoot Me! Vicki Costa 14 episodes
2003 CSI: Miami Alison Episode: "Grave Young Men"
2003 Coupling Susan Freeman Main role
2005 Blind Justice Christie Dunbar Main role
2006–2007 Heroes Heidi Petrelli 5 episodes
2007 24 Marilyn Bauer 12 episodes
2008 Ghost Whisperer Tammy Episode: "Ball & Chain"
2008–2010 Two and a Half Men Chrissy 2 episodes
2009 Dirty Sexy Money News Reporter Episode: "The Facts"
2009 Monk Kim Kelly Episode: "Mr. Monk's Favorite Show"
2009 Criminal Minds Erika Silverman Episode: "The Slave of Duty"
2010 Bones Dr. Catherine Bryar Episode: "The Predator in the Pool"
2010 NCIS Margaret Allison Hart 6 episodes
2010 Royal Pains AJ Episode: "Open Up Your Yenta Mouth and Say Ah"
2010 Medium Dr. Natalie Salem Episode: "Native Tongue"
2011–2012 Covert Affairs Geena 3 episodes
2012 House Marlene Reese Episode: "Man of the House"
2012 The Glades Alexis Cane Episode: "Old Times"
2012 Beauty & the Beast Sabrina Meyer Episode: "Bridesmaid Up!"
2013 Once Upon a Time Queen Eva Episode: "The Queen is Dead"
2013–2022 The Bold and the Beautiful Quinn Fuller Main role
2014 Chicago P.D. Doctor Episode: "Chin Check"

Awards and nominations

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List of acting awards and nominations
Year Award Category Title Result Ref.
1995
 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital Won
[14]
1995
 Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Younger Lead Actress General Hospital Won
[15]
2016
 Soap Awards France Best Villain of the Year The Bold and the Beautiful Won
[16]
2016
 Soap Awards France Best New Character The Bold and the Beautiful Nominated
[16]
2017
 Soap Awards France Best Actress of the Year The Bold and the Beautiful Nominated
[17]
2017
 Soap Awards France Best Villain of the Year The Bold and the Beautiful Nominated
[17]
2018
 Soap Awards France Best Villain of the Year The Bold and the Beautiful Won
[18]
2018
 Soap Awards France Best Couple of the Year — "Quinn and Eric"
(shared with John McCook) 		The Bold and the Beautiful Nominated
[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Rena Sofer on Instagram: "So today is my birthday!! Yay!! I'm 53 today and my FAVORITE part of birthdays and Mother's Day are the hand made cards my daughters give to me every year. Avalon always does the most incredible photoshop cards that are timely and hilarious. And Rosabel loves to draw things that make me laugh til I pee in my pants. I really hope @keithbrymerjones does not take offense to this card and sees it as what it is, an homage to a brilliant ceramicist and potter who may look amazing in lipstick and mascara. The second one is of princess. I added a pic of her so you can see how good the resemblance is! Thank you all so much for all the amazing birthday wishes. And for those of you inspired by my love of dogs and rescues and fostering THANK YOU FOR DOING something in that honor. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!!! 💋💋💋❤️❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🎂🎉🎊🎁"".
  2. ^ "STATE OF MIND with MAURICE BENARD: RENA SOFER". YouTube. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  3. ^ Dickter, Adam. "Sofer Sex". The Jewish Week. September 19, 2003. Archived from the original on October 8, 2003.
  4. ^ "Rena Sofer", Oh, Grow Up, WCHS. Accessed September 22, 2011. "Born in Arcadia, California, Rena moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, following her parents' divorce, and later to North Bergen, New Jersey, where she finished high school."
  5. ^ Lipton, Michael A. "Heart Condition: For Rena Sofer, Checking into General Hospital Meant Finding a Healing Love with Costar Wally Kurth", People, October 31, 1994. Accessed September 22, 2011. "Neither parent remarried, and today Sofer maintains close relations with both her father, who presides at Temple Beth El in North Bergen, N.J., and her mother, a professor of developmental psychology at the University of North Carolina in Fayetteville.... She took a drama class during her senior year at North Bergen High School and then, after less than a semester at Montclair State College, took acting lessons in New York."
  6. ^ Logan, Michael (May 20, 2013). "Exclusive: Rena Sofer Joins The Bold and the Beautiful". TV Guide. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  7. ^ SOD (August 17, 2022). "EXCLUSIVE! RENA SOFER LEAVES B&B!". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  8. ^ Staff (September 14, 2023). "Rena Sofer Returning to General Hospital as Lois Cerullo After Leaving Soap 26-Years Ago (Exclusive)". People. United States. ISSN 0093-7673. OCLC 794712888. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  9. ^ Sandell, Scott (October 1, 2002). "TUNED IN; A New Face, but the Usual 'Shoot'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 23, 2008.[dead link]
  10. ^ Waldman, Allison (August 8, 2008). "Rena Sofer booked on Two and a Half Men". TV Squad. Archived from the original on November 26, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  11. ^ Shhh! Rena Sofer Has a Dirty Sexy Little Secret!" TV Guide. November 10, 2008. Retrieved on November 12, 2008.
  12. ^ "Once Upon a Time Exclusive: Rena Sofer Cast as Snow White's Mother". TV Guide. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  13. ^ SOD (April 29, 2019). "B&B's Rena Sofer to Re-Wed". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  14. ^ "Winners of Daytime Emmy Awards at a glance". The Daily Union. Kansas: Montgomery Communications, Inc. Associated Press. May 21, 1995. p. 2. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  15. ^ "'Days of Our Lives' Wins Best Soap Opera Award". The Durant Daily Democrat. Associated Press. February 19, 1995. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  16. ^ a b "Soap Awards France 2016 : Hélène Rollès, Les Mystères de l'amour, Rena Sofer, Plus belle la vie...le palmarès complet". France: toutelatele.com and Médiamétrie. May 2, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  17. ^ a b "Soap Awards France 2017 : Hélène Rollès, Les Mystères de l'amour, Ambroise Michel, Terre de passions, Eric Braeden... le palmarès complet". France: toutelatele.com and Médiamétrie. June 1, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  18. ^ a b "Soap Awards France 2018 : Sharon Case, Clément Rémiens, Fanny (Elsa Esnoult), Demain nous appartient... le palmarès complet". France: toutelatele.com and Médiamétrie. March 28, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
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