Isla Fisher

Isla Lang Fisher, an Australian actress and writer, was born on February 3, 1976. She was born in Oman to Scottish parents who later relocated to Australia during her childhood. Fisher began her career by appearing in television commercials and gained prominence for her role as Shannon Reed on the Australian soap opera Home and Away, which she portrayed from 1994 to 1997. Her performance earned her two Logie Award nominations.
Transitioning to Hollywood, Fisher starred as Mary Jane in the live-action adaptation of Scooby-Doo in 2002. She went on to feature in a variety of films, including Wedding Crashers (2005), Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009), The Great Gatsby (2013), Now You See Me (2013), and Nocturnal Animals (2016). Fisher's filmography also includes Swimming Pool (2001), I Heart Huckabees (2004), London (2005), Definitely, Maybe (2008), and Tag (2018), among others. She has lent her voice to characters in animated films such as Horton Hears a Who! (2008), Rango (2011), Rise of the Guardians (2012), and Back to the Outback (2021).
Fisher had recurring roles on the fourth and fifth seasons of the sitcom Arrested Development from 2013 to 2019. Currently, she stars in the comedy drama series Wolf Like Me, which premiered in 2022. Apart from her acting career, Fisher is also an author, having penned two young adult novels and the Marge in Charge book series.
She is married to English comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, and the couple has three children together.


Isla Lang Fisher was born in Muscat on February 3, 1976, to Scottish parents Elspeth Reid and Brian Fisher. At the time of her birth, her father was employed as a banker for the United Nations. After her family returned to their hometown of Bathgate, they later relocated to Australia when Fisher was six years old, settling in Perth. Growing up, Fisher enjoyed a "great" upbringing in Perth and described her life as "very outdoorsy". She has four brothers and attended Swanbourne Primary School and Methodist Ladies' College in Perth.
During her school years, Fisher actively participated in lead roles in productions such as Little Shop of Horrors. At the age of 21, she pursued further studies at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris, where she explored various theatrical disciplines including clowning, mime, musical theatre, and commedia dell'arte.
Despite her international experiences, Fisher has maintained a strong connection to her Australian roots, describing her sensibility as Australian and her attitude toward life as laid-back. Her parents later separated, with her mother and brothers residing in Athens while her father lives in Frankfurt.


Isla Lang Fisher's journey in the entertainment industry began at a young age. She made her first on-screen appearances in commercials on Australian television when she was just 9 years old. Her professional acting debut came in 1993 with guest-starring roles in the children's television shows Bay City and Paradise Beach.
At the age of 18, Fisher ventured into writing with the publication of two teen novels, Bewitched and Seduced by Fame, with the help of her mother. In a 2005 interview with Sunday Mirror, she expressed that if she hadn't succeeded as an actress, she would likely have pursued a career as a full-time writer.


From 1994 to 1997, Fisher gained widespread recognition for her role as Shannon Reed, a young and unconfident bisexual woman struggling with anorexia, on the Australian soap opera Home and Away. In interviews during this time, she spoke candidly about the challenges and rewards of working on the show, acknowledging the heavy workload and the pressure of performing in front of a large audience.
Following her tenure on Home and Away, Fisher pursued further training at L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris. She expanded her acting career by appearing in pantomime in the United Kingdom, touring with Darren Day in the musical Summer Holiday, and participating in various theatrical productions, including Così in London.
Fisher's diverse acting roles also led her to the German slasher film Swimming Pool (2001), where she portrayed an ill-fated member of an elite group of international students, showcasing her versatility as an actress.


In 2002, Isla Lang Fisher made her transition to Hollywood with a role in the live-action film Scooby-Doo, where she portrayed the love interest of the character Shaggy Rogers. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, the film proved to be a commercial success, grossing over US$275 million worldwide. Reflecting on this early stage in her Hollywood career, Fisher expressed gratitude for the opportunities the film provided, stating that she was fortunate to secure representation and subsequent job offers almost immediately after the premiere of Scooby-Doo.


Following her debut in Hollywood, Fisher took on supporting roles in various projects. In 2003, she appeared in the independent film Dallas 362 and the Australian comedy The Wannabes. Reviewing The Wannabes, David Rooney of Variety praised Fisher for her "easy charm" and noted her contribution to the film's comedic appeal, describing it as an "uneven but endearing farce about breaking into showbiz."
In the comedy I Heart Huckabees (2004), directed by David O. Russell, Fisher delivered what critics described as a "punchy little part." While her role may have been relatively small, Fisher's performance added to the film's ensemble dynamic, showcasing her versatility and comedic talents on the Hollywood stage.

References

1.  @islafisher (3 February 2021). "45th Birthday today 🌸 🌺". Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2022 – via Instagram.
2. ^ "Sacha Baron Cohen Jokes He Forgot Wife Isla Fisher's Birthday as He Celebrates Golden Globe Nominations". E!. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021. However, that wasn't the only celebratory post Cohen shared on Feb. 3. He also made sure to tell the world that it was his wife Isla Fisher's 45th birthday.
3. ^ "Isla Fisher Reveals Husband Sacha Baron Cohen Bought Her a Ring After Her Father Died to 'Hold His Memory Close' — People".
4. ^ Marcie Muir, Kerry White (1992). Australian Children's Books: 1989–2000. Melbourne University Publishing. ISBN 9780522850888.
5. ^ "Oman-born actress, spouse donate $1 million for Syrian children". Times of Oman. 28 December 2015. Archived from the original on 1 January 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
6. ^ "Isla Fisher maintains she is not a shopaholic, STV Video". Video.stv.tv. Archived from the original on 29 December 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
7. a b Roberts, Sheila (25 March 2007). "Isla Fisher Interview, The Lookout". MoviesOnline. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
8. a b "Isla an Aussie at heart". Sunday Mail. 25 March 2007. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
9. ^ "The Vanities Girls". Vanity Fair. New York. 1 March 2009. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014.
10. ^ Pringle, Gill (28 September 2007). "Hot Bod is keeping mum". The Independent.
11. ^ Harry, Ethan (17 July 2005). "Interrogation Isla Fisher". Sunday Mirror.
12. ^ Browne, Rachel (15 April 1996). "The Money and the Box". The Sun-Herald. Fairfax Media. p. 126. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
13. ^ Warneke, Ross (26 April 1995). "And now...the envelopes please". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
14. ^ Browne, Rachel (17 May 1997). "A bolt from the Blue". The Sun-Herald. Fairfax Media. p. 32. Retrieved 18 July 2011.