Renée Willett

Renée Willett is an American actress who is known for The Comedian (2016), Blind (2016) and SharkNado 3.

Renée Willett
Born
New York City, New York
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActress

Early life

Willett was born and raised in New York City, New York and has two younger siblings, Roni and Myles. Her parents Leesa and Leon Wagner are both New Yorkers and of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. From a young age Renée was a competitive tennis player where she trained at IMG Academy Bradenton Bollettieri Tennis in Florida. She simultaneously acted where she appeared in multiple commercials and Indies during her tween years. Renée graduated from the University of Southern California with Degrees in Economics, Spanish and Theatre.

She later trained at The William Esper Studio in New York and continues her training in Los Angeles at UCB, The Groundlings and Lesly Kahn. Renée is earning her MBA back at USC Marshall School of Business where she emphasizes her studies in film finance through the USC School of Cinematic Arts.[1][2][3]

Career

Willett made her film debut in the third installment of the cult classic Sharknado series in 2015. She later appeared as Ashley in The Comedian (2016) where she worked opposite Robert De Niro and Edie Falco. In 2017 Renée played seductress Kelly in the Alec Baldwin, Demi Moore indie film Blind (2017).[4] Renée later produced the 2017 Sundance Film, The Yellow Birds where she acted alongside Jennifer Aniston.[5][6] Renée combined her passion for tennis and film as she produced the short LOVE starring Susan Sarandon and Boris McGiver.[7]

Willett also worked with Daniel Radcliffe and Grace Gummer in the 2018 drama Beast of Burden where she played the role of Megan.[8]

In 2018 she continued to act in films including Flight 666 (2018) where she played the possessed passenger Anna, and Walk to Vegas where she played the only female underground poker player Kelly Boots, opposite John O'Hurley. She worked in the Molly Ringwald film Kingfish, opposite Kevin Corrigan where she played Emilia, as well as the Michael Pitt, Ron Perlman indie Run With the Hunted where she played Keryn, a character that spanned over 15 years.[9][10]

Renée received the NYC International Film Festival's Rising Star Award 2019. She appeared as the cover story for Resident Magazine's Power Issue.[11]Renée has been cast in the upcoming Michael Mailer independent feature Cutman, opposite Val Kilmer. Renée's additional upcoming supporting roles include films Die In a Gun Fight and Juveniles.

As a Stand Up

Renée debuted her stand up career at the Comic Strip Live. Willett performs throughout New York City at clubs like Gotham Comedy Club as well as Los Angeles and Tel Aviv. Renée's success as an MC performer at fundraisers and galas has caught on. She has opened for Jay Leno where the two of them helped raise $5M in one evening.[12]

References
  1. "Renée Willett Interview". Naluda Magazine. 2017-02-19.
  2. "From Athlete to Actress, Renee D. Willett is Conquering Hollywood". LA's The Place | Los Angeles, Magazine. 2015-11-14.
  3. Bateman, Kristen (18 January 2019). "Who's buying couture in 2019?". CNN.
  4. Evans, Greg (9 February 2017). "Vertical Acquires Rights To 'Blind'; Romantic Drama Stars Alec Baldwin & Demi Moore – Berlin". Deadline.
  5. "Faces of Sundance 2017". Paste Magazine.
  6. "Renee Willett is a rising star from NYC! #Sundance". myNewYorkeye.
  7. "Renée Willett". Mogul.
  8. Murrian, Samuel R. "Daniel Radcliffe Is a Desperate Smuggler on His Final Mission in the Intense Beast of Burden Trailer". Parade Magazine.
  9. "Ron Perlman, Michael Pitt to Star in Indie Drama 'Run With the Hunted' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  10. "Interview: rising star Renee Willett discusses her upcoming film Run With the Hunted". Entertainment Focus. 13 October 2018.
  11. "Resident Magazine Celebrates Renée Willett Cover". Times Square Chronicles.
  12. "Jay Leno helps raise $5 million for United Hatzalah at gala - Diaspora". Jerusalem Post.
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