The best Rachel Griffiths Movies and TV shows show the true range of the Australian actress, as she has taken on roles in several different genres over the past four decades. Griffiths studied drama and dance in college and then began working in theater groups, including writing and performing her own one-woman show in 1991. Barbie gets hip. She then enjoyed her breakout role when she signed on for a supporting role in the Toni Collette 1994 film Muriel’s wedding.
Since then, Griffiths has split her time between movies and TV shows. She made her American film debut in My best friends wedding and gained national prominence for her starring role in the critically acclaimed HBO series Six feet under. Throughout her career, the actress has earned high critical praise for her performances, with A Golden Globe Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards for her television work and an Academy Award nomination for her work on the big screen.
10
Anyone But You (2023)
Rachel Griffiths played Ini
Anyone But Her is a romantic comedy from director Will Gluck starring Sidney Sweeney and Glenn Powell. Sweeny and Powell star as Bea and Ben, two strangers with an incredible first date that turns sour after one incident at the tail end. Thinking that the worst is behind them, the two are roped into a destination wedding in Sydney, Australia, where they will have to pretend to be a couple despite absolutely hating each other.
- Director
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Wish you luck
- Release date
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December 22, 2023
- distributor(s)
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Sony Pictures Releasing
- runtime
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103 minutes
In 2023, Rachel Griffiths had a supporting role in the romantic comedy Anyone but you. A sleeper hit that had big box office numbers, the film is a loose adaptation of the William Shakespeare play Much ado about nothing. Sidney Sweeney stars as Bea, a law student who meets a Goldman Sachs employee, Ben (Glenn Powell), starting a tumultuous relationship. Griffiths plays Innie, Bea’s mother, in the film.
The audience loved it, with a very high 87% Popcornmeter rating.
With a budget of $25 million, the movie was a huge financial success, and it ranks as the highest-grossing live-action Shakespeare adaptation of all time. Critics were mixed on the release, with a 52% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences loved it, with a very high 87% Popcornmeter rating. The film received a nomination at the GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Film – Wide Theatrical Release and Although Griffiths’ role was small, it showed that she could still deliver on the big screen.
9
Blow (2001)
Rachel Griffiths played Ermine Young
George Young, from a struggling family, begins dealing marijuana in the 1960s, eventually moving into the cocaine trade after a stint in prison. His fortunes soar, but his success ultimately comes at a high personal cost.
- Director
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Ted this
- Release date
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April 4, 2001
- runtime
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124 minutes
In 2001, Rachel Griffiths worked with director Ted Demme in the biopic Clap. The movie stars Johnny Depp as the notorious American cocaine kingpin George Young, and the movie shows his life story, from his rise in the drug industry to his eventual fall. The film also features other notable drug dealers of the era, including Pablo Escobar (Cliff Curtis) and Carlos Lehder Rivas (Diego Delgado). As for Griffiths, she plays Jung’s mother, Ermine Jung, while Ray Liotta plays his dad Fred.
Although the film was only a minor success at the box office for Demme, it received mixed reviews, with a 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In his review, Roger Ebert questioned making Young the subject of a movie since he was mostly a middle man in the drug industry (via Chicago Sun-Times). However, the film received praise for the acting, with Griffith among them, again performing well in a small part.
8
The Rookie (2002)
Rachel Griffiths played Laurie Morris
In 2002, Rachel Griffiths took a supporting role in the inspirational sports movie The rookie. The film is based on the true story of Jim Morris, a high school science teacher and baseball coach. He was a former Lithuanian League baseball player, but when he was drafted into the MLB, he tore his shoulder and gave up his dream. While working with his players at the school, they realize he still has a great fastball and convince him to try again. He finally made his major league debut at 35 years old.
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in this film, Rachel Griffiths plays Jim’s wife, Lori, and mother of his three children. As an inspirational sports story, Griffiths’ role mostly revolves around her supporting her husband’s dreams and being there when he finally reaches the goal he never believed possible. Critics praised the film’s heart and acting talent, awarding it an 84% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The American Film Institute Also nominated it for its 100 years… 100 cheers list.
7
I Am Me (1999)
Rachel Griffiths played Pamela Drury
One of Rachel Griffiths’ best performances comes in this lesser-known romantic comedy I myself. This was one of those rare movies where Griffiths took the lead role, playing Pamela Drury, a journalist Who realizes that she is alone and begins to look back and regret the decisions she did not make in the past. Things get weird when Pamela Drury is hit by a car driven by Pamela Dickson, an alternate universe version of Pamela who has made the decisions the other Pamela wishes she had made.
Critics praised Griffiths’ powerful performance in the lead…
Drury then wakes up in Dixon’s universe and has a chance to see what life would be like if she had made the decisions she went through in her other life. Critics praised Griffiths’ strong performance in the lead, although his Rotten Tomatoes score was only average, at 63% fresh. Despite this, it was a success, winning two awards at the Australian Screen Sound Guild Awards and was nominated for the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Direction, Best Screenplay and Best Actress in a Leading Role.
6
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Rachel Griffiths played Bertha Doss
Hacksaw Ridge (English: Hacksaw Ridge) is a historical war film based on the true story of Desmond Doss, a soldier in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of the Second World War, who saved 75 people without firing or carrying a gun. He was the only American soldier in World War II who fought on the front lines without a weapon, because he believed that while war was just, killing was nevertheless wrong because of his upbringing.
- Release date
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November 4, 2016
- distributor(s)
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Lionsgate, Summit Entertainment
- Figure
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Sam Worthington, Rachel Griffiths, Richard Roxburgh, Andrew Garfield, Terresa Palmer, Matt Nable, Vince Vaughn, Luke Bracey, Nathaniel Buzolic, Hugo Weaving, Ryan Corr.
- runtime
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139 minutes
Rachel Griffiths joined the war movie Hawk’s Ridge In 2016. Directed by Mel Gibson, the film follows Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), an American pacifist combat medic during World War II. He refused to carry a weapon and was the first conscientious objector to win the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in saving 75 soldiers at Hacksaw Ridge during the Battle of Okinawa. The film is based on the 2004 documentary The conscientious objector About the real-life Desmond Doss.
Griffith doesn’t have a big role but her character is the inspiration behind Desmond being a conscientious objector…
Rachel Griffiths plays Bertha Doss, Desmond’s mother. The movie was a success at the box office and also received critical acclaim, with an 84% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Mel Gibson even received an Oscar nomination for directing the film, while it also received nominations for Best Picture and Best Actor (Garfield). Griffith doesn’t have a big role but her character is the inspiration behind Desmond being a conscientious objector since his father threatened her with a gun.
5
Muriel’s Wedding (1994)
Rachel Griffiths played Rhonda Epinstall
Rachel Griffiths made her film debut in the 1994 Australian movie Muriel’s wedding. The film stars Toni Collette as Muriel Heslop, a socially awkward woman often mocked by her friends. Her dream is a glamorous wedding and a chance to escape her boring life in the beach town where she lives. However, nothing seems to go right for Muriel until she finally gets away and starts to see her life change as she realizes who she is supposed to be.
Although this is her film debut, Rachel Griffiths is the main co-star of the movie, Rhonda Epinstall. Her character ends up with a cancerous tumor in her spine, leaving her a paraplegic, and Muriel’s relationship with Rhonda helps both women find what they’re missing in life. Critics praised the film, awarding it an 81% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It also marked the beginning of Griffiths rise to prominence, as she won Best Supporting Actress at the AACTA Awards.
4
Beautiful Kate (2009)
Rachel Griffiths played Sally Kendall
Beautiful Kate is a 2009 Australian drama that follows a writer named ND (Ben Mendelsohn) who returns to his distant family home to say goodbye to his dying father. While there, he starts having memories of his twin sister Kate and older brother Cliff. The memories lead him to start writing about his experiences, which causes his fiance, Tony, to leave him when she reads that he once had an awkward sexual encounter with his sister Kate.
Griffiths won Best Supporting Actress at the AACTA Awards.
The twist backstory is what pushes this controversial drama forward, as Ned remembers everything that happened between him and his siblings until their deaths, and he has to come to terms with the moments in his past. Rachel Griffiths plays Sally Kendall, Ned’s surviving sister who stays behind to care for their father as his health begins to fail. The film has a fresh 84% Rotten Tomatoes score, and Griffiths won Best Supporting Actress at the AACTA Awards.
3
Brothers and Sisters (2006-2011)
Rachel Griffiths played Sarah Walker
Brothers & Sisters is a drama series that explores the lives of the Walker family, focusing on their complex relationships and personal challenges. Starring Sally Field, Calista Flockhart, and Rachel Griffiths, the show delves into themes of love, betrayal and family dynamics after the sudden death of the family patriarch, leading to unveiled secrets and shifting roles in the family.
Rachel Griffiths has taken lead roles in several long-running television shows. From 2006 to 2011, she was part of a large ensemble cast on the ABC family drama Brothers & Sisters. It was paired up almost its entire run with Desperate housewives and provided a similar soap-style melodramatic story. The series is about the rich Walker family, which deals with several problems and difficulties after the patriarch William Walker (Tom Skerritt) died at the beginning.
Griffiths earned two Supporting Actress Primetime Emmy nominations.
Sally Field played Nora Walker, William’s widow, who had to come to terms with the revelation that he had been unfaithful during their marriage. Rachel Griffiths played Sarah, one of her two childrenwho worked as an executive in the family business. Brothers & Sisters Ershed for five seasons and 109 episodes. For her part, Griffiths earned two supporting actress Primetime Emmy nominations and two supporting actress Golden Globe nominations for her performance.
2
Hilary and Jackie (1998)
Rachel Griffiths played Hilary Du Pre
In 1998, Rachel Griffiths and Emily Watson starred in the British biopic Hilary and Jackie. In the film, they played the classical musician sisters Jacqueline du Pré (cello) and Hilary du Pré (flute). In real life, Jacqueline won Britain’s most prestigious cello award at age 11 and made her adult debut at 17. Hilary is also very talented but is always overshadowed by her sister. Watson stars as Jacqueline, and the film follows her meteoric rise, her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and her death at 42.
Watson was up for Best Actress and Griffiths for Best Supporting Actress…
Rachel Griffiths stars as Emily, who wrote a novel based on her sister’s life called A genius in the family (which was published while the movie was being filmed). It was Griffiths’ most successful movie role, earning her and Emily Watson Academy Award nominations for their performances. Watson was up for Best Actress and Griffiths for Best Supporting Actress, but neither won the award. Hilary and Jackie is certified fresh on rotten tomatoes with an 88% rating.
1
Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
Rachel Griffiths played Brenda Chenowith
Created by Alan Ball, Six Feet Under is a black comedy and drama series starring Peter Krause, Frances Conroy, Rachel Griffiths and Michael C. Hall. In five seasons between 2001 and 2005, the plot revolves around a dysfunctional family that owns and operates a funeral home.
- Figure
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Peter Krause, Lauren Ambrose
- Release date
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June 3, 2001
- Seasons
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5
- Directors
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Alan Ball
The most successful TV show in which Rachel Griffiths was the HBO series Six feet under. The series follows Nate (Peter Krause) and David (Michael C. Hall), two brothers who inherit the family funeral home after their father’s death. The series follows the family, their relationships, and their struggles. Throughout its five-season run, the series received universal acclaim and was called one of the best shows on television at the time.
Six feet under Earned nine Emmy Award wins and three SAG victories, while also taking home three Golden Globe Awards and a Peabody Award. Rachel Griffiths Stars as Brenda Chenowith, Nate’s on-again, off-again significant other who has depression issues. The series has an 81% Rotten Tomatoes score, but the audience score is a very high 96% Fresh. Griffiths won her only Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2001 and received one other nomination and two Emmy nominations.