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Rena Sofer

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Rena Sofer
Sofer in 2014
Born
Rena Sherel Sofer

(1968-12-02) December 2, 1968 (age 56)
Arcadia, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1984–present
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1995; div. 1997)​
​
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(m. 2003; div. 2017)​
​
​
(m. 2024)​
Children2

Rena Sherel Sofer (born December 2, 1968)[1] is an American actress, 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. She reprised the role of Lois in October 2023. From 2013 to 2022, she played Quinn Fuller on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.

Early life

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Sofer was born in Arcadia, California, the daughter of Susan Sofer (née Franzblau), a psychology professor, and Martin Sofer, an Orthodox rabbi. [2]

She moved with her father and brother David to Teaneck, New Jersey, in 1970. However, when Sofer was 5 years old, they resided in Western Pennsylvania. They lived in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, where her father led Beth Samuels Jewish Center. She later attended the Frisch School, a coeducational Modern Orthodox Jewish high school in Paramus, New Jersey.[3] Sofer lived in North Bergen, New Jersey, where her father was rabbi of synagogue Temple Beth El. She graduated from North Bergen High School, then attended classes at Montclair State College.[4][5]

Career

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Daytime television

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Sofer first played Lois Marie Cerullo on General Hospital. Her first appearance was in 1993 as a band manager. However, her first high-profile role was as Rocky McKenzie on the daytime soap opera Loving (1988–1991).

Sofer is perhaps best known for her role as Lois Cerullo on General Hospital (December 15, 1993 – September 24, 1996). She later returned 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.[6] After nine years on the canvas, Sofer opted to end her run in the role of Quinn; she last aired on August 29, 2022.[7]

On September 14, 2023, People announced Sofer would reprise the role of Lois on General Hospital after a 26-year absence.[8]

On October 24, 2025, it was announced that Sofer had ended her run on General Hospital as Cerullo.[9][10]

Primetime television

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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.[11] 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).[12] Rena also has guest starred on Dirty Sexy Money playing an intrepid reporter[13] 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.[14]

Film

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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.[15][16] She starred in the television movie Always and Forever which aired October 24, 2009, on the Hallmark Channel.[17] She has been doing TV movies since 1992, when she starred as Andrea Larson in the television movie Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style.[18]

Personal life

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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.[19] In 1997, Sofer and Kurth divorced.[20]

Sofer married television director and producer Sanford Bookstaver in 2003. On August 5, 2005, Sofer gave birth to her second daughter, her first with Bookstaver, in Los Angeles. Sofer and Bookstaver eventually divorced in 2017. In 2019, Sofer announced they had reconciled and in April announced their engagement, and they later remarried in 2024.[21]

Filmography

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Films
Year Film Role Director(s) Notes Ref.
1992 A Stranger Among Us Shayna Singer Sidney Lumet Crime–drama film [22][23]
1994 Twin Sitters Judy John Paragon Comedy film
Also known as The Babysitters 		[17]
1998 Nightmare Street Penny Randolph Colin Bucksey Thriller film [24]
2000 Keeping the Faith Rachel Rose Edward Norton Romantic comedy film [25][26]
Traffic Helena's Friend Steven Soderbergh Crime–drama film [27][28]
2001 March Hedy Pullman James P. Mercurio Drama film [17]
2009 Rock Slyde Sara Chris Dowling Comedy film [29]
2010 Sarah Teenage Sarah Ted Hunter
Louis La Volpe 		Drama film [17]
2025 Vespertine Marlowe Lauri Levenfeld
Grace Wethor 		Short film [17]
Television
Year Film Role Notes
1987 Another World Joyce Abernathy 9 episodes
1988–91 Loving Amelia "Rocky" McKenzie Domeq 34 episodes
1992 Freshman Dorm Veronica 2 episodes
Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style Andrea Larson Made-for-TV movie directed by Don Barnhart[18]
1993 Herman's Head Stephanie Episode: "When Hermy Met Crawford's Girlfriend"
1993–97
2023-25 		General Hospital Lois Cerullo Contract role held from December 15, 1993 to September 24, 1996; recurring role held from February 7, 1997 to October 2, 1997, and October 10, 2023 to October 24, 2025
1996 Hostile Advances: The Kerry Ellison Story Kerry Ellison Made-for-TV movie directed by Allan Kroeker[30][31]
Caroline in the City Risa Glickman Episode: "Caroline and the Nice Jewish Boy"
1997 Seinfeld Mary Anne Episode: "The Muffin Tops"
The Stepsister Darcy Canfield Ray Made-for-TV movie directed by Charles Correll
1998 Ellen Jean Episode: "Womyn Fest"
Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place Lauren Henderson Episode: "Two Guys, a Girl, and a Recovery"
Timecop Dr. Carrie Ann Trent Episode: "D.O.A."
Glory, Glory Elizabeth Made-for-TV movie directed by Robert Butler
1998–99 Melrose Place Eve Cleary Main role (Credited as a Recurring Character) 25 episodes
1999 Oh, Grow Up Suzanne Vandermeer Contract role held from September 22 to December 28, 1999[32][33]
2000 Opposite Sex Ms. Gibson Episode: "Pilot"
Spin City Sam Episode: "Lost and Found"
2001 The Weber Show Dawn Cheswick Episode: "Dog Eat Dog"
Ed Bonnie Hane 7 episodes
2001–02 The Chronicle Grace Hall 22 episodes
2002 Friends Katie Episode: "The One with the Cooking Class"
Carrie Miss Desjardenr Made-for-TV movie directed by David Carson[15][16]
2002–03 Just Shoot Me! Vicki Costa 14 episodes
2003 CSI: Miami Alison Episode: "Grave Young Men"
Coupling Susan Freeman Main role
2005 Blind Justice Christie Dunbar Main role
2006–07 Heroes Heidi Petrelli 5 episodes
2006 The Secret of Hidden Lake Maggie Dolan Made-for-TV movie directed by Penelope Buitenhuis
2007 24 Marilyn Bauer 12 episodes
2008 Ghost Whisperer Tammy Episode: "Ball & Chain"
2008–10 Two and a Half Men Chrissy 2 episodes
2009 Dirty Sexy Money News Reporter Episode: "The Facts"
Monk Kim Kelly Episode: "Mr. Monk's Favorite Show"
Always & Forever Grace Holland[17] Made-for-TV movie directed by Kevin Connor
Criminal Minds Erika Silverman Episode: "The Slave of Duty"
2010 Bones Dr. Catherine Bryar Episode: "The Predator in the Pool"
NCIS Margaret Allison Hart 6 episodes
The Devil's Teardrop Joan Made-for-TV movie directed by Norma Bailey
Royal Pains AJ Episode: "Open Up Your Yenta Mouth and Say Ah"
Medium Dr. Natalie Salem Episode: "Native Tongue"
2011 Another Man's Wife Hadley Warner[17] Made-for-TV movie directed by Anthony Lefresne
2011–12 Covert Affairs Geena 3 episodes
2012 House Marlene Reese Episode: "Man of the House"
The Glades Alexis Cane Episode: "Old Times"
Beauty & the Beast Sabrina Meyer Episode: "Bridesmaid Up!"
2013 Once Upon a Time Queen Eva Episode: "The Queen is Dead"
2013–22 The Bold and the Beautiful Quinn Fuller Contract role held from July 12, 2013 to August 29, 2022
2014 Chicago P.D. Doctor Episode: "Chin Check"
2017 Jeopardy! Herself/Clue giver Season 3:Ep 88

Awards and nominations

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List of acting awards and nominations
Year Award Category Title Result Ref.
1995
 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital Won
[34]
1995
 Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Younger Lead Actress General Hospital Won
[35]
2016
 Soap Awards France Best Villain of the Year The Bold and the Beautiful Won
[36]
2016
 Soap Awards France Best New Character The Bold and the Beautiful Nominated
[36]
2017
 Soap Awards France Best Actress of the Year The Bold and the Beautiful Nominated
[37]
2017
 Soap Awards France Best Villain of the Year The Bold and the Beautiful Nominated
[37]
2018
 Soap Awards France Best Villain of the Year The Bold and the Beautiful Won
[38]
2018
 Soap Awards France Best Couple of the Year — "Quinn and Eric"
(shared with John McCook) 		The Bold and the Beautiful Nominated
[38]

References

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  1. ^ "Rena Sofer on Instagram: "So today is my birthday!! Yay!! I'm 53 today and my FAVORITE part of birthdays and Mother's Day are the hand made cards my daughters give to me every year. Avalon always does the most incredible photoshop cards that are timely and hilarious. And Rosabel loves to draw things that make me laugh til I pee in my pants. I really hope @keithbrymerjones does not take offense to this card and sees it as what it is, an homage to a brilliant ceramicist and potter who may look amazing in lipstick and mascara. The second one is of princess. I added a pic of her so you can see how good the resemblance is! Thank you all so much for all the amazing birthday wishes. And for those of you inspired by my love of dogs and rescues and fostering THANK YOU FOR DOING something in that honor. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!!! 💋💋💋❤️❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🎂🎉🎊🎁"".
  2. ^ "STATE OF MIND with MAURICE BENARD: RENA SOFER". YouTube. October 2, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Dickter, Adam. "Sofer Sex". The Jewish Week. September 19, 2003. Archived from the original on October 8, 2003.
  4. ^ "Rena Sofer" Archived 2011-08-27 at the Wayback Machine, Oh, Grow Up, WCHS. Accessed September 22, 2011. "Born in Arcadia, California, Rena moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, following her parents' divorce, and later to North Bergen, New Jersey, where she finished high school."
  5. ^ Lipton, Michael A. "Heart Condition: For Rena Sofer, Checking into General Hospital Meant Finding a Healing Love with Costar Wally Kurth", People, October 31, 1994. Accessed September 22, 2011. "Neither parent remarried, and today Sofer maintains close relations with both her father, who presides at Temple Beth El in North Bergen, N.J., and her mother, a professor of developmental psychology at the University of North Carolina in Fayetteville.... She took a drama class during her senior year at North Bergen High School and then, after less than a semester at Montclair State College, took acting lessons in New York."
  6. ^ Logan, Michael (May 20, 2013). "Exclusive: Rena Sofer Joins The Bold and the Beautiful". TV Guide. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  7. ^ SOD (August 17, 2022). "EXCLUSIVE! RENA SOFER LEAVES B&B!". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  8. ^ Staff (September 14, 2023). "Rena Sofer Returning to General Hospital as Lois Cerullo After Leaving Soap 26-Years Ago (Exclusive)". People. United States. ISSN 0093-7673. OCLC 794712888. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  9. ^ Levinsky, Mara (October 24, 2025). "General Hospital Comings and Goings: Rena Sofer Exits As Lois, 'Door is Always Open' For Return". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Archived from the original on October 25, 2025. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  10. ^ Mason, Charlie (October 24, 2025). "General Hospital's Rena Sofer Out as Lois". Soaps She Knows. United States: SHE Media. Archived from the original on October 25, 2025. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  11. ^ Sandell, Scott (October 1, 2002). "TUNED IN; A New Face, but the Usual 'Shoot'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2008.
  12. ^ Waldman, Allison (August 8, 2008). "Rena Sofer booked on Two and a Half Men". TV Squad. Archived from the original on November 26, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
  13. ^ Shhh! Rena Sofer Has a Dirty Sexy Little Secret!" TV Guide. November 10, 2008. Retrieved on November 12, 2008.
  14. ^ "Once Upon a Time Exclusive: Rena Sofer Cast as Snow White's Mother". TV Guide. January 9, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  15. ^ a b Wertheimer, Ron (November 4, 2002). "It's Not Nice to Make Fun of Carrie, Remember?". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. eISSN 1553-8095. OCLC 1645522. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  16. ^ a b Gallo, Phil (November 3, 2002). "Review: 'Carrie'". Variety. United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g "Rena Sofer". TV Guide. United States: NTVB Media. ISSN 0039-8543. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  18. ^ a b Engel 2016, pp. 211–216.
  19. ^ "Wally Kurth Bio". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. April 11, 2011. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  20. ^ Byron, Ellen (March 3, 1992). "Dances with Quartermaines". Soap Opera Digest. 17 (5): 66–70. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  21. ^ SOD (April 29, 2019). "B&B's Rena Sofer to Re-Wed". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  22. ^ Ebert, Roger (July 17, 1992). "A Stranger Among Us". RogerEbert.com. United States: Ebert Digital LLC. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  23. ^ Howe, Desson. "A Stranger Among Us". The Washington Post. United States: Nash Holdings. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 2269358. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  24. ^ Scott, Tony (January 15, 1998). "Review: 'Nightmare Street'". Variety. United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on October 26, 2025. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  25. ^ Mitchell, Elvis (April 14, 2000). "FILM REVIEW; Religion and Hormones, Surrounded by a Triangle". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. eISSN 1553-8095. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  26. ^ Levy, Emanuel (March 31, 2000). "Keeping the Faith". Variety. United States: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  27. ^ Ebert, Roger (January 1, 2001). "Traffic". Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago Public Media. ISSN 1553-8478. OCLC 51500916. Archived from the original on April 19, 2008. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  28. ^ Holden, Stephen (December 27, 2000). "Teeming Mural of a War Fought and Lost". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. eISSN 1553-8095. OCLC 1645522. Archived from the original on May 31, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  29. ^ King, Susan (August 6, 2009). "Indie, global and feel-good fests". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times Communications LLC. eISSN 2165-1736. OCLC 3638237. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  30. ^ Schmid 2015, p. 106.
  31. ^ Dromm 2012, p. 144.
  32. ^ Wallenstein, Andrew (September 1, 1999). "'Oh Grow Up': Sharp writing won't save this dud from ABC". Media Life Magazine. United States. ISSN 0024-3019. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  33. ^ Keller, Julie (December 22, 1999). "ABC, Like, Cancels Two More Shows". E! Online. E!. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  34. ^ "Winners of Daytime Emmy Awards at a glance". The Daily Union. Kansas: Montgomery Communications, Inc. Associated Press. May 21, 1995. p. 2. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  35. ^ "'Days of Our Lives' Wins Best Soap Opera Award". The Durant Daily Democrat. Associated Press. February 19, 1995. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  36. ^ a b "Soap Awards France 2016 : Hélène Rollès, Les Mystères de l'amour, Rena Sofer, Plus belle la vie...le palmarès complet". France: toutelatele.com and Médiamétrie. May 2, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  37. ^ a b "Soap Awards France 2017 : Hélène Rollès, Les Mystères de l'amour, Ambroise Michel, Terre de passions, Eric Braeden... le palmarès complet". France: toutelatele.com and Médiamétrie. June 1, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  38. ^ a b "Soap Awards France 2018 : Sharon Case, Clément Rémiens, Fanny (Elsa Esnoult), Demain nous appartient... le palmarès complet". France: toutelatele.com and Médiamétrie. March 28, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2020.

Sources

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