Her hair is a very non-irritating blond color and eyes are an unusual but very beautiful green (not blue, thankyouverymuch)
Standing 5 foot 3.5 inches
Reneé keeps that lovely figure with early morning jogs and weekly workouts with the weights. She use to be an aerobics instructor, ya know
The episode of Tales From The Crypt in which she appeared in 1990 was Arnold Schwarzenegger's debut as a director
The most talked about character changes on Xena: WP is Gabrielle's shrinking clothing over the first two seasons. This is all because of Reneé's increasingly toned body. They just want to show off her incredibly flat stomach and trim fighter's physique. And we appreciate that.
ROC DIRECTS! Her directorial debut had her taking the reigns for Xena 4th season episode "Deja Vu All Over Again." Aired May 1999.
ROC DIRECTS, Again! Reneé took the reigns for the Xena 6th season episode "Dangerous Prey." Aired Feb 2001.
Reneé married New Zealand native and restaurant manager Steve Muir on October 14, 2000 and their son, Miles William Muir, was born on September 22, 2001. Reneé and Steve have since divorced, and Reneé was later involved with Jed Sura (an actor she met while filming Diamonds and Guns). They have a daughter, Iris Sura O'Connor, born on March 19, 2006.
Since her first role at age 8 as a caterpillar during a Theater on Wheels production, Reneé has had a passion for acting. At age 12, she began studying acting at Houston's Alley Theatre, and later attended The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas. So that she could graduate with her friends, she transferred back to Taylor High School. She began her real career at the age of 16 in a commercial for McDonalds, later for Exxon. A string of other commercials followed (as well as a string of odd jobs such as Porky Pig at Astroworld and an aerobics instructor in L.A.) and in 1989, she landed a recurring role in a serial called Teen Angel featured on the "New Mickey Mouse Club." Reneé had many other roles under her belt when she came to the attention of Xena: Warrior Princess executive producers Robert G. Tapert and Sam Raimi with an "over-the-top" audition that won her the role of the young Deianeira in their two-hour "Action Pack" adventure "Hercules and the Lost Kingdom." They were so impressed by her performance opposite Hercules: The Legendary Journeys star Kevin Sorbo that they signed her for a starring role in "Darkman II: The Return of Durant." She was later cast as Gabrielle, Xena's sidekick on Xena: Warrior Princess. During the filming of Xena, Reneé lived in Auckland, New Zealand.
She was voted # 3 of the most intriguing people in 1996, # 2 in 1997, and one of the most beautiful people of 1997, by People Online. She made the cover of TV Guide on the July 29, 2000 to August 4, 2000 issue. It was one of eight collector's covers.
On May 31, 2003 Reneé participated in the Firefighters Burn Relay to benefit the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. The event took place in Burbank, California. She took place in the parade of fire engines. They made stops in several areas, including Beverly Hills, Burbank, Long Beach, and Santa Monica, allowing the public to make donations at each stop. Working with firefighters, educators, and burn care professionals, the foundation helps to develop new programs and services. Reneé volunteered again with the foundation in 2005 raising funds washing cars with others. They raised $2000.
Reneé is producing Diamonds and Guns, an independent film. Joseph LoDuca, who composed the music on Xena and Hercules, will be composing music for this film as well. The short film is a romantic comedy about two friends who go to Las Vegas to find true love. It was shot digitally. O'Connor has been raising funds for the movie selling numerous photos of herself with autographs and a few of her personal paintings on eBay. She has raised about $75,000 from eBay alone as of March 2006. The film is expected to be finished in 2006. Renee will next be seen in the film GHOST TOWN where she plays the tomboy like character Little Jack. (2006) O'Connor appears in Xena conventions every year.
Pets: One cat named Kia Ora (means hello and goodbye in Maori)
Interesting tidbits about Renee:
Reneé is a talented artist. Her work has been showcased at a recent gallery exhibition, trading cards and at the recent Official Xena Convention.
She likes to travel without an entourage and registers under her own name.
Reneé likes to kick box, horseback riding and rock climb - she is very fit as evidenced by the trim figure.
Reneé also prowls around the chat groups on the net to see what's going on!
Somthin about D.J. Perry? or as I call 'em, Will Burnett? He never ate lunch with us, the "roughs". The arse! He ate in the stable with the horses! He slept in his clothes, for four weeks as I 'member it. He cries like a baby sometimes. I still think he missed somthin' when he didn't look on at me. No hard feelin' about those ribs. Goddamm! Missin all those days in the ole GHOST TOWN with ya there, Willie boy.
-L.J.
WILL BURNETT's RESPONSE:
Maybe if Little Jack wasn't such a dirty mule maybe Will would have taken a shine to her. I reckon she might have cleaned up just fine with a good bath and groomin'. I would rather eat with the horses and as for the clothes...wait a minute...I had two changes of clothes :-) As for "Cries like a baby"...you loved it you evil woman...maybe in another lifetime. Will & L.J. Sounds like a Little Jack vs Violet cat fight!
Will
