Lily Rabe
A chameleonic stage and screen actress whose commanding presence and emotional depth have defined a generation of American Horror Story characters.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American actress·Birthday: June 29·Millennials
Biography
Lily Rabe carries the legacy of her parents, playwright David Rabe and actress Jill Clayburgh, with a formidable talent entirely her own. She first turned heads on Broadway, earning a Tony nomination for her sharp, modern take on Portia in 'The Merchant of Venice.' But it was her collaboration with Ryan Murphy on 'American Horror Story' that introduced her to a massive audience. Across multiple seasons, she has delivered a stunning array of performances, from a possessed nun to a witch supreme, each characterized by a fierce intelligence and haunting vulnerability. Rabe moves seamlessly between prestigious theater projects and bold television roles, consistently choosing parts that challenge both her and the audience, cementing her status as a performer of remarkable range and conviction.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Lily was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Lily Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Lily's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play for her role as Portia in the 2010 Broadway revival of 'The Merchant of Venice.'
- Portrayed eight distinct characters across nine seasons of FX's 'American Horror Story.'
- Starred as Hillary Clinton in the Broadway play 'The Secretary' in 2024.
Did You Know?
She is the daughter of acclaimed actress Jill Clayburgh and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Rabe.
Rabe is a dedicated equestrian and has been riding horses since childhood.
She made her professional stage debut at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, a noted summer stock theatre.
“The text is the map, and my job is to follow it without getting lost.”
