As an Australian comedian, Rebel Wilson has been in the public eye since her breakout role in Bridesmaids in 2011. From that point on, she has remained a steady presence in movie theaters, TV sets, and awards shows around the world; she is a sure-fire joke teller, with her infectious laugh, quick wit, and endearing on-screen presence.
Rebel is anything but a wallflower, in her performances or personal style. She is the comedic force that has helped revolutionize Hollywood by sculpting a unique path unique to her. Read on to get to know this trailblazer, her achievements, and the projects she has worked on.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Rebel Melanie Elizabeth Wilson was born on March 2, 1980, in Sydney, Australia, to an independent mother and a professional dog handler father. Acting was a way for Rebel to bond with her two older siblings and helped her come out of her shell.
She initially studied law at the University of New South Wales, but soon realized that acting was her true passion. At age 10, she was enrolled in the Australian Theatre for Young People, where her comedic chops shone brightest.
At the age of 19, she made the daring decision to move to the US. She had a one-way ticket to New York and only a few possessions, but a relentless determination to make it big in the United States.
Making a Name for Herself in America
In the early 2000s, Rebel was a hopeful face amongst the sea of comedic talent flowing to the United States. She had several small roles acting and writing, including a character on the MTV show, “Punk’d,” and a role as a writer in 2008’s TV show, “Are We There Yet?”.
However, while she was working multiple jobs and auditioning consistently, Rebel hit the big time with her role in the 2011 movie, Bridesmaids. This film brought Rebel national recognition and alert Hollywood to her comedic talent, followed with a burst of success. As a result of her performance, she won MTV Movie Awards for Best Comedic Performance, Best Gut-Wrenching Performance and Best Breakthrough Performance.
Rebel Wilson’s Most Notable Projects
The following is a list of some of Rebel Wilson’s most famous and beloved projects.
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Bridesmaids (2011): Rebel’s character, Brynn, was a hilarious addition to the stellar comedic cast in the 2011 movie, Bridesmaids. As a young woman struggling to get her life together and dealing with a troubled past, Rebel gave us a hilarious and heartfelt performance.
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Pitch Perfect (2012-2017): Rebel starred as Fat Amy in the Pitch Perfect trilogy. Her character was outspoken and daring, snatching laughs with her quotable one-liners. Her performance in this franchise solidified Rebel’s place as one of the most talented actresses in the comedic world.
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Isn’t It Romantic (2019): Rebel starred alongside Liam Hemsworth and Priyanka Chopra in this innovative romantic comedy which showcased Rebel’s ability to act in both comedic and serious roles. As Natalie, Rebel portrayed a relatable heroine while also delivering laughs throughout the storyline.
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Cats (2019): Rebel starred alongside Jennifer Hudson and Taylor Swift in this remake of the classic musical. She played Jennyanydots, a playful and loveable character who taught the younger cats valuable lessons throughout the film.
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The Hustle (2019): Rebel costarred alongside the two-time academy award winner, Anne Hathaway, in this heist movie which follows two female con artists. The bouncy and zany dynamic between the two actresses kept us entertained throughout the movie.
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Jojo Rabbit (2019): Rebel starred alongside Scarlett Johansson, Taika Waititi in this comedic drama set in World War II. Rebel held her own against Johansson’s performance as a mother trying to shield her son from Nazi beliefs while still loving him unconditionally.
The TV Star Who Made It Big in Hollywood
Throughout her career, Rebel Wilson has not only starred in movies, but in television as well. She had a recurring role on the sitcom “Dorm Life,” and appeared in recurring guest star roles such as the “Tiger Lady” on “30 Rock” and the “Super Hot Lady” on “Workaholics.” Her most friend-changing role was her star in the ABC sitcom “Super Fun Night.” She won a Critics Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance.
Rebel Wilson’s Other Projects
In addition to TV, movies, and theatre work, Rebel Wilson has also been involved in a number of other projects, such as writing and producing. She wrote, produced, and starred in the romcom feature film, How to Be Single. Additionally, she wrote and produced Bogan Pride, a semi-autobiographical comedy series that aired in Australia.
Wilson is also an accomplished writer of books. Her debut memoir, Rebel with a Cause, was released in 2019. She also wrote an adult fantasy novel series entitled The Magistrate Series.
Rebel Wilson’s Success Off Screen
In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, Rebel Wilson is also an active philanthropist. She was a runner-up for The 2012 Littlewoods ‘Woman of the Year’ Award for her work as a patron for the Australian organization OzHarvest—which helps provide fresh food to those in need. Rebel also founded The Biscuit Club, which provides young people from low-income backgrounds the opportunity to experience theatre.
Rebel Wilson has also taken a stand for body positivity in an industry that tends to be harsh on fuller figures. By unapologetically showing off her curves, Rebel is helping other plus-size women feel confident in their own skin.
2020 and Beyond
Rebel Wilson’s success continues to grow. In 2020, she will be reprising her role as Fat Amy in the upcoming Pitch Perfect 4 and Voices of Fire, a musical competition series on Netflix.
Wilson will also continue to make her mark in the world of fashion by serving as a spokeswoman for plus-size fashion line, Torrid. In this role, she will help promote body positivity in the fashion industry.
Rebel Wilson has become an inspiration for anyone looking to make a name for themselves. She has pushed through a tremendous amount of adversity, including an uncertain immigration status, in order to make it big in Hollywood.
Through her memorable roles, philanthropic heart, and resilience, Rebel Wilson has risen through the ranks of fame to become an icon for aspiring female comedians. In the years to come, this trailblazer will show us how far fearless female comedic talent can take you — we can’t wait to see what classic moments she will give us next.
