Evelyn Renee O’Connor is an American actress, director, and film producer, born on 15 February 1971, in Katy, Houston, Texas, and is probably best known for playing Gabrielle in the TV series “Xena: Warrior Princess” in the 1990s.
So just how rich is Renee O’Connor? Sources estimate her net worth to be over $5 million, as of early 2017, accumulated from her involvement in the entertainment industry now spanning almost 30 years.
Renee O’Connor Net Worth $5 million
O’Connor first studied at Taylor High School, later transferring to Houston High School of Visual Performing Arts. Her first taste of acting came at the age of eight, when she played a caterpillar as part of a “Theatre on Wheels” production, but began her professional career in commercials for McDonald’s and Exxon. At the age of 17 she moved to Los Angeles, and secured a few supporting roles on television, starting with an appearance in a 1989 episode of “Night Game”. Other shows in which she featured include “Stone Cold”, “The Adventures of Huck Finn”, “Teen Angel”, and “NYPD Blue”, which laid the basis of her net worth.
It was in 1995 that she first played the role for which she is now most famous – Gabrielle in the cult series “Xena: Warrior Princess”. Chosen for the role based on her performance in “Hercules: The Lost Kingdom”, O’Connor’s character proved to be a fan favourite, with an arc that spanned the entirety of the show. She proved particularly popular with lesbian audiences, coming top of Lesbianation’s 2006 Most Loved Women list, and has since appeared at several gay pride events. Maintaining a high level of athleticism throughout her career, having spent some time as an aerobics instructor in the late 1980s, she performed her own stunts on the show. She also directed three episodes. Her role in “Xena” contributed greatly to her net worth.
In 1997, she was voted #2 in People Magazine’s Most Intriguing People list. The same year, she also featured on the Most Beautiful People list.
Since “Xena”, O’Connor has appeared in shows including “Criminal Minds”, and “Ark”, as well as in the movies “Moby Dick”, “Alien Apocalypse” and “Deadrise”, amongst others. In 2002, she returned to the stage to play Lady Macbeth, in Shakespeare’s play.
O’Connor runs her own production company, ROC Pictures, founded in 2001.Their first production was the romantic comedy film “Diamonds and Guns”, which went straight to DVD. A 2017 release called “Watch the Sky”, described as a “science fiction family film”, is currently in post-production.
In her personal life, after moving to Auckland, New Zealand to film “Xena”, O’Connor met and then married local restaurant owner Steve Muir in 2000; they had a son, but divorced in 2005. Her partner since 2006 is the actor Jed Sura, and they have a daughter together. In her spare time, O’Connor enjoys various hobbies, including tae kwon do and painting. She lives in Manhattan Beach, California, and regularly attends conventions to meet fans of her work. She supports several charities, including the Alissa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, which helps burn victims, and educates people on burn prevention, and she has established her own foundation, The Renee O’Connor Outreach Fund, which donates to families who are struggling with overwhelming medical bills. Due to these philanthropic efforts, O’Connor has been nominated every year since 2010 for the Women Making a Difference Award by The Los Angeles Business Journal.
When she started dating her first husband Steve Muir, he asked her what she did for a living. She replied she worked on the Xena set. Not saying she was a co-star. It was only when he introduced her to his friends that one of his friends commented that Renee was Gabrielle.
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At the end of 2006 Reneé was chosen by LesbiaNATION.com as their most loved woman of 2006, a poll that she dominated all year. Her co-star from the Xena: Warrior Princess (1995) series, Lucy Lawless, ended up second in the poll.
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Owns her own film production companies, ROC Pictures.
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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.
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She also paints. Her paintings have been exhibited in a show.
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Renée's stepfather, Eddie Wilson, is the former owner of The Armadillo World Headquarters, which was located in Austin, Texas. He is currently owner of the original Threadgill's located in north Austin, Texas and its newer second location located in south Austin, Texas. All locations have been venues which many famous musicians have played. One of the first places Janis Joplin started singing was at Threadgill's, while attending the University of Texas.
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One teacher at Taylor HS (Katy, Texas) realized her potential for acting and got an autograph before Renée graduated, knowing that she'd become a star soon after.
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Daughter, Iris Sura O'Connor (born on March 19, 2006) with boyfriend, Jed Sura. Iris is Renée's second child.
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Her hobbies are rock climbing, kickboxing, horseback riding, and painting.
When the producers of Xena: Warrior Princess (1995) became aware of how athletic her body was, it prompted the new costume for season 2. It became a running joke on the show that the costume continued to shrink as the seasons passed.
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Played Lady Macbeth in the Shakespeare by the Sea's production of Macbeth. (Seven locations in the Los Angeles area, June 20 - August 17, 2002)
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Son, Miles William Muir born weighing 8 pounds 8 ounces. [September 2001]
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Mother - Sandra Wilson; Father - Walter O'Connor; Stepfather - Eddie Wilson.
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Engaged to long term boyfriend New Zealander Steve Muir. [February 2000]
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Went to Houston High School of Visual and Performing Arts but transferred back to Taylor High School (Her first H.S.) in order to graduate with her friends.
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Attended High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Houston, Texas.
$5 Million
