Contents
Who is Gabrielle Anwar?
British-American actress Gabrielle Anwar was born in Laleham, Surrey, England, on 4 February 1970, making Aquarius her zodiac sign. She has 60 acting credits, but is perhaps still known best for playing Queen Anne in the 1993 romantic action adventure film “The Three Musketeers”, which starred Charlie Sheen, Chris O’Donnell and Kiefer Sutherland, and was directed by Stephen Herek. It follows Young d’Artagnan who’s met the three musketeers in 1625 France, and the film won two of its five award nominations.
Gabrielle’s still today active in the film industry, and is currently shooting for the upcoming movie “Awaken”, which she’s also co-produced.
Education and early life
Gabrielle was raised in Surrey by her father Tariq Anwar who’s an Indian-born British-American film producer and editor, and British mother Shirley Hills who’s an actress; Gabrielle seems to be an only child, having not spoken of having siblings.
She studied at Laleham C of E Primary and Middle School, and progressed to a local high school in 1984; Gabrielle was 16 when she launched her acting career, playing Tracy Wright in all six episodes of the 1986 thriller mini-series “Hideaway”, and the same year saw her make her debut film appearance in the music video “Paul McCartney: Pretty Little Head”.
Upon matriculating in 1986, Gabrielle moved to London, England and enrolled at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, from which she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1990.
Roles in TV series
Gabrielle played Lidia in the 1987 episode “Fearnot” of the family adventure drama “The Storyteller”, and the remainder of the ‘80s saw her appear in the science fiction drama “First Born”, the mystery “Summer’s Lease” and the family fantasy adventure “Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader”.
In 1991, she portrayed Ada Corishant in all three episodes of the romantic adventure mini-series “I Misteri della Giungla Nera”, which starred Virna Lisi and Stacy Keach, and follows an Army Officer serving in British-ruled India. Gabrielle appeared in only two TV series in the ‘90s, playing Tricia Kinney in the 1992 episode “Fire and Ice” of the romantic drama “Beverly Hills, 90210” and Delia in the 1993 episode “Dead-End for Delia” of the crime mystery “Fallen Angels”.
In 2001, she played Katie Defoe in the episode “Dangerous Liaisons” of the crime mystery “The Practice”, and the year 2002 saw her portray Rachel Penbroke in two episodes of the mystery science fiction “John Doe”, which starred Dominic Purcell and Jayne Brook, and was created by Brancon Camp. It follows a man who knows everything with the exception of his own name, and is now helping police solve crimes; the series was nominated for two awards. Gabrielle appeared in only two other TV series in the 2000s: the historical romantic drama “The Tudors” and the crime mystery “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”.
From 2007 through 2013, she starred as Fiona Glenanne in all 111 episodes of the crime action “Burn Notice”, which also starred Jeffrey Donovan and Bruce Campbell, and was created by Matt Nix. It follows a spy who’s just been disavowed by the US government, and the series won six of its 23 award nominations.
Her only other TV series role has been playing Lady Rapunzel Tremaine in 11 episodes of the 2018 romantic fantasy adventure “Once Upon a Time”.
Roles in movies
Gabrielle played Tina in the 1988 romantic comedy “Manifesto”, and some of her following roles were in the 1988 fantasy science fiction comedy “Jake’s Journey”, the 1991 action comedy “If Looks Could Kill” and the 1991 romantic family drama “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken”.
She played Donna in the evergreen 1992 drama “Scent of a Woman”, in which Al Pacino and Chris O’Donnell starred, and which was directed by Martin Brest. It follows a prep school student who’s found a job ‘babysitting’ a blind man, and the movie won six of its 20 award nominations, including an Oscar win for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Some of her notable performances in the remainder of the ‘90s were in the 1993 science fiction horror “Body Snatchers”, the 1995 crime thriller “Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead” and the 1999 romantic comedy “If You Only Knew”.
She had only a couple of film roles in the 2000s, with the most popular amongst these having been the 2006 horror mystery “The Marsh”, in which she starred alongside Louis Ferreira and Forest Whitaker. It follows a children’s author who’s become involved in a supernatural mystery, and the movie won two awards.
Some of Gabrielle’s most recent film roles have been in the 2011 mystery “Carnal Innocence”, the 2011 comedy “The Family Tree” and the 2019 romantic comedy “The Last Summer”.
Other credits
Gabrielle co-produced the 1997 drama movie “Nevada”, and she both produced and directed the 2016 documentary film “Sexology”.
Some of Gabrielle’s most recent talk-show appearances have been in “Lopez Tonight”, “Big Morning Buzz Live” and “The Real Housewives of Miami”.
Awards and nominations
Gabrielle’s been nominated for five awards, including a 1994 Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Actress, for “Body Snatchers”, a 2007 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television, for “The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines” and a 2018 Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Villain, for “Once Upon a Time”.
Love life and marriages
Gabrielle has been keeping most details of her love life away from media since the launch of her acting career, but has still allowed her fans a glimpse into it.
She was in a relationship with American actor Craig Eric Sheffer in the first half of the ‘90s, and gave birth to their daughter Willow Xylia Anwar on 8 November 1993; the two split not long after this, but both remained equally involved in the girl’s upbringing.
Gabrielle was then married to American actor and producer John Verea, from 2000 to 2005; their son Hugo Christian Verea was born on 8 March 2001, and their daughter Paisley Rose Verea followed on 25 October 2003.
Since 6 September 2015, Gabrielle’s been married to American actor and producer Shareef Malnik – they don’t have children together.
Interesting facts and hobbies
Gabrielle was once the owner of the record for the ‘World’s Fastest Talker’.
She was once kicked out of school for fighting.
Gabrielle became a US citizen in 2008.
One of her best friends is American actor, producer and director Chris O’Donnell; they met while shooting for the 1992 movie “Scent of a Woman”.
The magazine “People” named her amongst the 50 most beautiful people in the world in 1993.
The magazine “FHM” ranked her #82 on their list of ‘Sexiest Women in the World’ in 1996; they also ranked her #79 in the following year.
One of Gabrielle’s favorite actresses is Julia Sawalha, alongside whom she studied at high school; some of Gabrielle’s favorite movies include “Chicken Run”, “Hornblower: Loyalty” and “In the Bleak Midwinter”.
Height, eyes and wealth
Gabrielle’s age is 53. She has blue eyes and brown hair, is 5ft 3ins (1.6m) tall and weighs around 115lbs (52kgs).
Gabrielle’s net worth’s been estimated at over $6 million, as of July 2023.