Rebecca Hall

Rebecca Maria Hall, born on May 3, 1982, is a versatile English actress and filmmaker. Her journey into the entertainment industry commenced at a tender age of 10 with her appearance in the 1992 television adaptation of The Camomile Lawn, a production directed by her father, the esteemed Sir Peter Hall. Rebecca's knack for performance flourished under her father's guidance, leading to her professional stage debut in 2002's Mrs. Warren's Profession, a play directed by her father, for which she earned the prestigious Ian Charleson Award.


Rebecca's breakout moment arrived in 2006 with her film debut in Starter for 10, paving the way for her pivotal role in Christopher Nolan's acclaimed thriller The Prestige. Her star continued to rise when she portrayed Vicky in Woody Allen's romantic comedy-drama Vicky Cristina Barcelona, a performance that earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. Demonstrating her versatility, Rebecca graced a diverse range of films, from Ron Howard's Frost/Nixon to Ben Affleck's The Town, showcasing her talent in various genres. She further solidified her presence in Hollywood with roles in Iron Man 3, Transcendence, The Gift, and The BFG.


In 2016, Rebecca received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of news reporter Christine Chubbuck in the biographical drama Christine, demonstrating her ability to delve into complex characters. She continued to impress audiences with her performance as Dr. Ilene Andrews in the MonsterVerse films Godzilla vs. Kong and the upcoming Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Rebecca expanded her artistic horizons by making her directorial debut with Passing in 2021, a film that garnered critical acclaim for its poignant storytelling.
Not limited to the silver screen, Rebecca has also left her mark on British television with notable appearances. She clinched the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Channel 4 miniseries Red Riding: 1974 and received a nomination for Best Actress for her performance in BBC Two's Parade's End in 2013. Rebecca Maria Hall continues to captivate audiences with her exceptional talent and dedication to her craft, establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of entertainment.


Born on May 3, 1982, in London, Rebecca Hall's lineage is a rich tapestry of cultural diversity. Her mother, Maria Ewing, an American opera singer, hails from Detroit, tracing her roots to an African-American mixed-race father and a Dutch mother. Through her maternal lineage, Rebecca is descended from Bazabeel Norman, a Revolutionary War veteran of African descent. However, a revelation on Finding Your Roots shed light on her maternal grandfather's heritage, uncovering that his Native American identity was a misconception, with his true lineage rooted in African-American ancestry.


Rebecca's father is Sir Peter Hall, an English stage director and the founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Despite her parents' separation and subsequent divorce in 1990, Rebecca grew up surrounded by artistic influence. She shares her lineage with five paternal half-siblings, including stage director Edward Hall, producer Christopher Hall, and actresses Jennifer Caron Hall and Emma Hall, as well as set designer Lucy Hall.
Rebecca's educational journey led her to Roedean School, where she excelled and was appointed head girl. She pursued her passion for literature at St Catharine's College, Cambridge, immersing herself in the vibrant student theatre scene. During her time at Cambridge, Rebecca demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit by establishing her own theatre company and actively participating in the Marlowe Society. She formed lasting friendships, including with fellow student Dan Stevens, known for his role in Downton Abbey, with whom she collaborated on various theatrical productions.


Although she departed Cambridge just before completing her final year in 2002, Rebecca's time at the prestigious institution laid the foundation for her illustrious career in the arts. Her diverse heritage, coupled with her academic and theatrical endeavors, shaped her into the multifaceted talent admired by audiences worldwide.


Rebecca Hall's journey into the world of entertainment commenced at a young age, marking her professional debut at just nine years old in her father's television adaptation of Mary Wesley's The Camomile Lawn in 1992. She made her feature film debut in 2006's Starter for Ten and garnered widespread acclaim for her breakthrough role as Sarah Borden in Christopher Nolan's The Prestige the same year. Rebecca's versatility shone through as she delved into various projects, including Stephen Poliakoff's Joe's Palace in 2007 and the British fantasy-horror film Dorian Gray in 2009.
Her Hollywood ascent was propelled further with her captivating performance in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona in 2008, earning her a Golden Globe nomination. Rebecca's talent continued to shine in films like Ron Howard's Frost/Nixon and Ben Affleck's crime drama The Town, the latter of which earned her a British Academy Television Award. She further showcased her range in diverse roles, from the British ghost film The Awakening to the political thriller Closed Circuit.


In 2016, Rebecca delivered a riveting portrayal of real-life news reporter Christine Chubbuck in Christine, a performance lauded by critics. She continued to impress audiences with her portrayal of psychologist Elizabeth Holloway Marston in Professor Marston and the Wonder Women in 2017, showcasing her ability to bring complex characters to life on screen.
Rebecca's commitment to her craft extended beyond acting, as evidenced by her directorial debut with Passing in 2021. The film, which she also wrote and co-produced, received widespread critical acclaim, solidifying her status as a formidable talent both in front of and behind the camera. Additionally, her starring role in the well-received horror-thriller The Night House further cemented her reputation as one of the most versatile and accomplished performers of her generation.

References

1.  M. Smith, Nigel (24 January 2016). "Christine review: Rebecca Hall astonishes in real-life horror story". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
2. ^ "BAFTA Awards Search | BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
3. ^ Births, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1916–2005. Gives name at birth as "Rebecca Maria Hall".
4. a b c d e f Hattenstone, Simon (12 June 2010). "Who, me? Why everyone is talking about Rebecca Hall". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
5. ^ Isenberg, Barbara (8 November 1992). "MUSIC No-Risk Opera? Not Even Close Maria Ewing, one of the most celebrated sopranos in opera, leaps again into the role of Tosca, keeping alive her streak of acclaimed performances while remaining true to herself". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
6. ^ McLellan, Joseph (15 November 1990). "Article: Extra-Sensuous Perception;Soprano Maria Ewing, a Steamy 'Salome'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
7. ^ Marsh, Robert C. (18 December 1988). "Growth of Maria Ewing continues with 'Salome' // Role of princess proves crowning achievement". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
8. ^ Stated on Finding Your Roots, January 4, 2022
9. ^ "Rebecca Hall Relationships". TV Guide. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
10. ^ "Former Cambridge student takes her first leading role" (PDF). The Cambridge Student. 3 November 2011. p. 06.[permanent dead link]
11. ^ Farber, Jim (20 February 2005). "For Rebecca Hall, it's all in the family business". U-T San Diego. Archived from the original on 22 December 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
12. ^ "The Prestige production notes" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2006.
13. ^ "Macbeth". Marlowe Society. 2002. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
14. ^ West, Naomi (29 October 2011). "Rebecca Hall takes the lead". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 29 October 2011.