Lucy Lawless turns 50

Culturedemandsgeeks love strong, prominent women in our sci-fi shows. From Kara(Katee Sackhoff) “Starbuck” Thrace in the reimagining Battlestar Galactica.

Lagertha in Vikings, the shield-maiden (Katheryn Winnick) confidently rocks some seriously cool braided hair. Her immense courage and fighting capabilities make her someone you do not want to cross.

And let’s not forget, Lexa  from The 100, set in a post-apocalyptic world 130 years in the future, Lexa (Alycia Debnam Carey) unites the 12 Grounder Clans and leads them as a well-respected commander.

But our beloved and the leading action lady of all time… is New Zealand actress Lucy Lawless.

The Kiwi turns 50 on March 29.

Best known for her role as Xena in the television series, Xena: Warrior Princess, Lawless went on to have roles in popular shows like Battlestar Galactica, Parks and Recreation, Salem and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. She can now be seen on the comedy horror series Ash vs Evil Dead on Starz.

He character had qualities: from immense strength, courage and smarts, often dealing with as many internal battles she did fight against the bad guys, redefining what an action hero looked like.

Xena: Warrior Princess

Born Lucille Frances Ryan in Mount Albert, New Zealand, on March 29, 1968, she is the daughter of Frank Ryan, a banker and former town mayor, and Julie Ryan, a homemaker.

Lawless’ big break came in 1995, when she guest-starred as Xena in an episode of “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” (1995-99). Did you know, however, that the producers intended to kill off her character after just three episodes?

But Lucy Lawless was so amazing that she was given her own show. She makes it her mission to seek redemption for wrongdoings she committed to the innocent, accompanied by Amazon princess Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor).

The intentionally ambiguous relationship between Xena and her traveling companion Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor) transformed Lawless into an icon for gay people worldwide. The actress later admitted, in a 2003 interview with Lesbian News magazine, the characters were gay.

A strong supporter of LGBTI rights and marriage equality, Lawless was honored with the Star 100 Entertainment – Ally of the Year award at the Australian LGBTI Awards in 2017.

Lawless has also starred in other critically-acclaimed shows, including “Spartacus,” which won her a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television in 2011.

Did you know she was nominated for a Saturn Award in 1996 for her role as Xena? She competed in the Best Genre TV Actress category but lost to “The X-Files” star Gillian Anderson

Lawless is also an environmental activist. In 2012, she joined six other Greenpeace members in climbing a drilling tower, aboard a ship called Noble Discoverer, to protest oil exploration in the Arctic. She spent four days there and live-tweeted her experience. She was eventually arrested and sentenced to 120 hours of community service and a fine of US$547.

Playing Betty Rizzo in Grease, as a singer in Celebrity Duets and a bazillion other international film and television roles. Culturedemandsgeeks salutes you, Lucy Lawless.