The Stunning Transformation Of Rachael Harris From Sister, Sister To Now
While she is not an A-lister, even those who barely watch television will probably recognize Rachael Harris (and her signature glasses), as she has certainly made her mark in the entertainment industry. As "Lucifer" fans can attest, she is currently killing it as the flirtatious psychotherapist, Dr. Linda Martin. While Harris has received acclaim for her comedy chops, she was only interested in serious roles while in college. During a 2016 interview with AOL BUILD, the 53-year-old explained that she "started in theater thinking [she] was going to move to New York and do Chekhov and 'Night Mother.'" She noted that she eventually followed the advice from a professor who encouraged her "to focus on comedy."
Before becoming an established comedy actress, Harris had bit parts on a number of shows. During a 2010 appearance on "The Bonnie Hunt Show," she mentioned that "Star Trek: Voyager" was "one of the first things [she] did." The actress explained that she portrayed an Ocampan who "was giving birth to a baby" in an unusual way. "I had to give birth out of my back. Like I had to hold onto a birthing bar and shove the baby out," explained Harris.
Rachael Harris was mean in Sister, Sister & The Hangover
According to IMDb, Harris's first major television role was the character Simone, who was introduced in Season 6, Episode 1 of "Sister, Sister," starring Tamera and Tia Mowry. During a 2019 interview on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen," the actress noted that she "had so much fun" while portraying the unpleasant dorm monitor.
Following "Sister, Sister," Harris showed her capability as an actress with projects like "Reno 911!," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and the 2009 comedy "The Hangover." In the movie, Harris made quite an impression as Stu's (Ed Helms) girlfriend Melissa, who isn't exactly known for her warmth. During the film's Hollywood premiere, Harris claimed "it was really easy" to portray such an intense character and revealed that her castmates were "just egging [her] on" to be meaner. In the interview, she also spoke highly of the film's director Todd Phillips, stating, "He really works well to like make you trust yourself and brings out the best in you. I think because when he hires you, he's like, I believe in you, you know what to do with this, so go for it."
Rachael Harris starred in Suits and Lucifer in the 2010s
In 2012, Harris began portraying the popular "Suits" character, Sheila Sazs. During a 2020 interview on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen," she noted that she acted alongside Meghan Markle, who played attorney Rachel Zane. Harris joked that she did not receive an invitation to Markle and Prince Harry's wedding, as Sheila was "just a recurring character." She quickly clarified, however, that her co-star was "lovely and nice."
As previously mentioned, Harris is also a beloved "Lucifer" actress. In her 2016 AOL BUILD interview, she said that her character, Linda Martin, "is very attracted" to her client — the one and only Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis). She also explained that she had an appreciation for "Lucifer" as it touches on important topics, which is somewhat rare for a series that deals with the supernatural. In particular, she had a fondness for scenes where Lucifer opens up to Linda.
"He's making realizations sort of like a young boy makes as he's starting to feel feelings for the first time and to be vulnerable for the first time and he's becoming more human, so those scenes can get, you know, can be funny but they are also sometimes very moving and poignant and a little scary," said the actress.
The actress recently made fitness a priority
On top of being a successful actress, Rachael Harris also has children named Otto and Henry, whom she shares with her ex-husband Christian Hebel. Two months after Henry's birth in 2016, the actress kept it real about motherhood on "Live with Kelly and Ryan." She revealed that she did not expect her newborn son to experience intense flatulence. "He passes gas like a grown man," quipped the actress.
People reported that a year following Otto's birth in 2018, she made steps to strengthen her body. While speaking to the publication in January 2021, she shared that she had experienced some issues with her identity.
"After marriage and the kids being born, I thought, 'Well, I need to be able to take care of the kids and I need to work and go take care of my husband.' I realized, 'Gosh, I'm really getting lost in this and I don't like myself,'" shared the actress. She then revealed she "hire[d] a trainer" named Paolo Mascitti and follows a strict diet to maintain her incredible figure. "At 52, I'm in the best shape of my life ever," Harris added.