Rachel Ward Biography Quotes 5 Report mistakes
| 5 Quotes | |
| Occup. | Actress |
| From | England |
| Born | September 12, 1957 |
| Age | 68 years |
Rachel Ward was born in England in 1957 and grew up in a British family with a public profile. She later became known as an English-born actress and, in time, a director and screenwriter who made her home in Australia. A creative streak led her first toward visual arts and then into fashion, where early work in modeling opened doors to film and television. Her sister Tracy Ward also pursued performing, underscoring the artistic current running through the family.
From Modeling to Screen Acting
Ward moved from the fashion world into acting around the turn of the 1980s, at a moment when American cinema and television offered opportunities for fresh faces from abroad. The camera-friendly poise learned as a model translated to screen presence, and she quickly began landing roles. Early parts navigated thriller, comedy, and romantic drama, allowing her to establish range while working with experienced directors and actors who helped accelerate her development.
Breakthrough Roles in the United States
Her early feature credits included Sharkys Machine (1981), working opposite Burt Reynolds in a slick urban thriller, and Dead Men Do not Wear Plaid (1982), a stylized noir pastiche crafted by director Carl Reiner and led by Steve Martin. She followed with Against All Odds (1984), a moody romantic thriller with Jeff Bridges that placed her at the center of a high-profile Hollywood release. These projects gave Ward broad visibility and positioned her for the role that would define her public image.
The Thorn Birds and International Recognition
The 1983 television miniseries The Thorn Birds became a cultural phenomenon, and Ward's portrayal of Meggie Cleary was central to its success. Acting opposite Richard Chamberlain and supported by a cast that included performers such as Barbara Stanwyck and Jean Simmons, she helped anchor a sweeping story that reached audiences worldwide. The production brought Ward major attention and awards recognition, including a Golden Globe nomination, and proved to be a turning point both professionally and personally.
Partnership with Bryan Brown
On The Thorn Birds she worked alongside Australian actor Bryan Brown, whose grounded intensity complemented her screen presence. Their on-set rapport grew into a lasting partnership; they married in 1983 and later settled in Australia. The couple appeared together in projects over the years, including The Good Wife (also released as The Umbrella Woman, 1987) with Sam Neill, a period drama that explored desire, loyalty, and consequence in a rural setting. Their creative dialogue continued off-screen, where they navigated careers and family life in tandem, raising three children, among them Matilda Brown, who became an actor and filmmaker in her own right.
Establishing a Career in Australia
Relocating to Australia allowed Ward to broaden her repertoire. She took on roles tailored to local stories and audiences, notably the tense Australian television film Fortress (1985), which drew on a notorious schoolroom abduction case and placed her in a physically and emotionally demanding lead. She also appeared in television and feature projects across genres, strengthening ties with the Australian screen community while maintaining connections to international productions.
Transition to Writing and Directing
As her career matured, Ward moved behind the camera. She directed the television film Marthas New Coat (2003), a quietly observed drama that signaled a shift from star actor to filmmaker with a personal voice. Her feature directorial debut, Beautiful Kate (2009), adapted from Newton Thornburg's novel, explored memory, guilt, and family dynamics in the Australian outback. The film earned critical praise for its performances and for Ward's sensitive handling of complex themes, reinforcing her standing as a storyteller with command of mood, place, and character.
Continuing Work and Collaborations
Ward continued to alternate between acting and behind-the-scenes roles, appearing in Australian film and television while directing for the screen. Collaboration remained central to her practice: she worked with Bryan Brown on projects that suited their complementary strengths, and she supported the creative steps of Matilda Brown as their daughter developed her own career. Across decades, Ward demonstrated a willingness to learn new craft skills, to mentor, and to redefine her professional identity without abandoning the qualities that first made her notable.
Craft, Themes, and Influence
Whether in front of the camera or behind it, Ward's work often turns on the tensions between desire and duty, family and autonomy, and memory and truth. Her background in modeling lent an ease with the frame; her experience in long-form television, especially The Thorn Birds, showed an ability to carry epic melodrama; and her directorial work emphasized character nuance and atmosphere. The people around her have been crucial: Bryan Brown as a partner and frequent collaborator; co-stars such as Richard Chamberlain, Jeff Bridges, Steve Martin, Burt Reynolds, and Sam Neill as touchstones at key moments; and her children, including Matilda Brown, as part of an evolving family creative life.
Legacy
Rachel Ward's career bridges continents and disciplines. She began as a model in England, became an internationally recognized actress in the United States, and then embedded herself in Australian film and television as both performer and filmmaker. The Thorn Birds gave her iconic status; subsequent choices affirmed a commitment to stories with texture and place. Supported by collaborators and family, she has sustained a body of work that reflects adaptability, curiosity, and a steady trust in character-driven storytelling. In doing so, she has remained a visible and respected figure whose path has encouraged others to treat the screen not as a single vocation but as a landscape where acting, writing, and directing can intersect.
Our collection contains 5 quotes who is written by Rachel, under the main topics: Art - Confidence - Career.
Other people realated to Rachel: Taylor Hackford (Director), Barbara Stanwyck (Actress)