Rena Sofer

**Rena Sherel Sofer** is an American actress, primarily 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*.

## Early life

Sofer was born in Arcadia, California, the daughter of Susan (née Franzblau), a psychology professor, and Martin Sofer, a Conservative Jewish rabbi. Her family subsequently moved to Pittsburgh, where she was raised after her parents' divorce. Sofer attended the Frisch School, a Jewish high school in Paramus, New Jersey. She lived in North Bergen, New Jersey, where her father was rabbi of Temple Beth El, and graduated from North Bergen High School, before beginning classes at Montclair State College.

## Career

### **Early daytime television**

Sofer first played Lois Marie Cerullo on *General Hospital*. Her first appearance was in 1993 as a band manager.

### **Daytime television**

Sofer's first high-profile role was as Rocky McKenzie on the daytime soap opera *Loving* (1988–91). She is perhaps best known for her role as Lois Cerullo on *General Hospital* (December 15, 1993 – September 24, 1996). She would later return 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.

### **Primetime television**

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. 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). Rena also has guest starred on *Dirty Sexy Money* playing an intrepid reporter 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.

### **Film**

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 also starred as Andrea Larson in the television movie *Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style*.

## Personal life

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/producer Sanford Bookstaver in 2003. On August 5, 2005, Sofer gave birth to her second child (but her first child with Bookstaver), a daughter, in Los Angeles. Sofer and Bookstaver eventually divorced. In 2019, Sofer announced they had reconciled and in April announced their engagement.

## Awards and nominations

List of acting awards and nominations
 1995

## Trivia

* Her father was a Conservative rabbi.
* Attended high school with actor Gene Gabriel.
* Her wedding to Sanford Bookstaver was featured in the February 2004 issue of InStyle Magazine.
* Born on the same date as Lucy Liu.
* She was married to Wally Kurth who plays her husband on General Hospital (1963).
* Gave birth to a girl - Rosabel Rosalind Kurth. She weighed 7 lbs, 10 ounces. She was 20 1/2 inches with black hair and blue eyes. Her middle name comes from the recently deceased Rosalind Cash, whom both Rena and her (then) husband absolutely adored. [September 1996]
* Announced her engagement to director/producer Sanford Bookstaver. [September 2002]
* Daughter, Avalon Leone Bookstaver was born in Los Angeles at 5 a.m. on Aug. 5, 2005 and weighed in at 8 lbs. 14 oz
* She is of Russian Jewish descent.
* Expecting her second child, her first with husband Sanford Bookstaver, due August 2005. [March 2005]
* She grew up in Arcadia, California and later attended Montclair State College in New Jersey.
* She played Charlie Sheen's love interest on the series Two and a Half Men.
* She has a brother named David. She was married to Wally Kurth from 1995 to 1997. She married director and producer Sanford Bookstaver in 2003. She has two daughters, Rosabel and Avalon.
* She appeared alongside Ben Stiller in the romantic comedy Keeping the Faith.