Rena Sherel Sofer (born December 2, 1968) is an American actress, known for her appearances in daytime television, episodic guest appearances, and made-for-television movies. In 1995, Sofer received a Daytime Emmy Award for her portrayal of Lois Cerullo in the soap opera General Hospital. She reprised the role of Lois in October 2023. From 2013 to 2022, she played Quinn Fuller on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.
Early life Sofer was born in Arcadia, California, the daughter of Susan Sofer (née Franzblau), a psychology professor, and Martin Sofer, an Orthodox rabbi.
She grew up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and attended the Frisch School.Dickter, Adam. Sofer lived in North Bergen, New Jersey, where her father was rabbi of synagogue Temple Beth El. She graduated from North Bergen High School, then attended classes at Montclair State College."Rena Sofer" , Oh, Grow Up, WCHS. Accessed September 22, 2011. "Born in Arcadia, California, Rena moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, following her parents' divorce, and later to North Bergen, New Jersey, where she finished high school."Lipton, Michael A. "Heart Condition: For Rena Sofer, Checking into General Hospital Meant Finding a Healing Love with Costar Wally Kurth", People, October 31, 1994. Accessed September 22, 2011. "Neither parent remarried, and today Sofer maintains close relations with both her father, who presides at Temple Beth El in North Bergen, N.J., and her mother, a professor of developmental psychology at the University of North Carolina in Fayetteville.... She took a drama class during her senior year at North Bergen High School and then, after less than a semester at Montclair State College, took acting lessons in New York."
Career
Daytime television Sofer first played Lois Marie Cerullo on General Hospital. Her first appearance was in 1993 as a band manager. However, her first high-profile role was as Rocky McKenzie on the daytime soap opera Loving (1988–1991).
Sofer is perhaps best known for her role as Lois Cerullo on General Hospital (December 15, 1993 – September 24, 1996). She later returned as a guest star (February 7–17, 1997; September 30 – October 2, 1997). Her portrayal of the outrageous Lois won Sofer a Daytime Emmy Award in 1995 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
In May 2013, it was announced that Sofer would join the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful, in a newly created role of Quinn Fuller; her first episode aired on July 12. After nine years on the canvas, Sofer opted to end her run in the role of Quinn; she last aired on August 29, 2022.
On September 14, 2023, People announced Sofer would reprise the role of Lois on General Hospital after a 26-year absence.
On October 24, 2025, it was announced that Sofer had ended her run on General Hospital as Cerullo.
Primetime television Sofer has appeared in several high-profile prime time television series in a guest star/supporting cast member roles: Seinfeld, Melrose Place, The Chronicle, Ed, Friends, Spin City, Blind Justice, Ghost Whisperer, 24, NCIS, and Two and a Half Men.
Sofer briefly joined the cast of the NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me!, playing the character Vicky Costa. The network later cast Sofer in the short-lived US remake of the UK series Coupling. Sofer has appeared in the NBC TV series Heroes as the recurring character Heidi Petrelli, wife of aspiring politician Nathan Petrelli (Adrian Pasdar). She appeared on Two and a Half Men in 2008, as a former girlfriend of the character Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen). Rena also has guest starred on Dirty Sexy Money playing an intrepid reporterShhh! Rena Sofer Has a Dirty Sexy Little Secret!" TV Guide. November 10, 2008. Retrieved on November 12, 2008. and played a ghost on Ghost Whisperer. In early 2010, Sofer began a recurring role on NCIS as attorney Margaret Allison Hart, a potential love interest for the character Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon). She had a brief guest role on Bones as a love interest for the character Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz).
In 2013, Sofer had a publicized appearance on Once Upon a Time, playing Snow White's mother.
Film In film, she appeared as a love interest of Ben Stiller's character in the film Keeping the Faith, starring Jenna Elfman, Stiller and Edward Norton (who also directed). She also played a bride to-be with Melanie Griffith in Sidney Lumet's movie A Stranger Among Us and in Penelope Buitenhuis's movie The Secret of Hidden Lake.
She played the P.E. teacher Ms. Desjarden in the television film adaptation of Carrie in 2002. She starred in the television movie Always and Forever which aired October 24, 2009, on the Hallmark Channel. She has been doing TV movies since 1992, when she starred as Andrea Larson in the television movie Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style.
Personal life Sofer and her General Hospital co-star Wally Kurth, who played her onscreen love interest, became involved as their characters' storyline progressed. In 1995, the actors were married and had a daughter. In 1997, Sofer and Kurth divorced.
Sofer married television director and producer Sanford Bookstaver in 2003. On August 5, 2005, Sofer gave birth to her second daughter, her first with Bookstaver, in Los Angeles. Sofer and Bookstaver eventually divorced in 2017. In 2019, Sofer announced they had reconciled and in April announced their engagement, and they later remarried in 2024.
Filmography +Films Year Film Role Director(s) Notes Ref. 1992 Shayna Singer Sidney Lumet Crime–drama film 1994 Twin Sitters Judy John Paragon Comedy filmAlso known as The Babysitters 1998 Nightmare Street Penny Randolph Colin Bucksey Thriller film 2000 Keeping the Faith Rachel Rose Edward Norton Romantic comedy film Traffic Helena's Friend Steven Soderbergh Crime–drama film 2001 March Hedy Pullman James P. Mercurio Drama film 2009 Rock Slyde Sara Chris Dowling Comedy film 2010 Sarah Teenage Sarah Ted HunterLouis La Volpe Drama film 2025 Vespertine Marlowe Lauri LevenfeldGrace Wethor Short film
+Television Year Film Role Notes 1987 Another World Joyce Abernathy 9 episodes 1988–91 Loving Amelia "Rocky" McKenzie Domeq 34 episodes 1992 Freshman Dorm Veronica 2 episodes Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style Andrea Larson Made-for-TV movie directed by Don Barnhart 1993 Herman's Head Stephanie Episode: "When Hermy Met Crawford's Girlfriend" 1993–972023-25 General Hospital Lois Cerullo Contract role held from December 15, 1993 to September 24, 1996; recurring role held from February 7, 1997 to October 2, 1997, and October 10, 2023 to October 24, 2025 1996 Hostile Advances: The Kerry Ellison Story Kerry Ellison Made-for-TV movie directed by Allan Kroeker Caroline in the City Risa Glickman Episode: "Caroline and the Nice Jewish Boy" 1997 Seinfeld Mary Anne Episode: "The Muffin Tops" Darcy Canfield Ray Made-for-TV movie directed by Charles Correll 1998 Ellen Jean Episode: "Womyn Fest" Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place Lauren Henderson Episode: "Two Guys, a Girl, and a Recovery" Timecop Dr. Carrie Ann Trent Episode: "D.O.A." Glory, Glory Elizabeth Made-for-TV movie directed by Robert Butler 1998–99 Melrose Place Eve Cleary Main role (Credited as a Recurring Character) 25 episodes 1999 Oh, Grow Up Suzanne Vandermeer Contract role held from September 22 to December 28, 1999 2000 Opposite Sex Ms. Gibson Episode: "Pilot" Spin City Sam Episode: "Lost and Found" 2001 The Weber Show Dawn Cheswick Episode: "Dog Eat Dog" Ed Bonnie Hane 7 episodes 2001–02 Grace Hall 22 episodes 2002 Friends Katie Episode: "The One with the Cooking Class" Carrie Rita Desjardin Made-for-TV movie directed by David Carson 2002–03 Just Shoot Me! Vicki Costa 14 episodes 2003 CSI: Miami Alison Episode: "Grave Young Men" Coupling Susan Freeman Main role 2005 Blind Justice Christie Dunbar Main role 2006–07 Heroes Heidi Petrelli 5 episodes 2006 Maggie Dolan Made-for-TV movie directed by Penelope Buitenhuis 2007 24 Marilyn Bauer 12 episodes 2008 Ghost Whisperer Tammy Episode: "Ball & Chain" 2008–10 Two and a Half Men Chrissy 2 episodes 2009 Dirty Sexy Money News Reporter Episode: "The Facts" Monk Kim Kelly Episode: "Mr. Monk's Favorite Show" Always & Forever Grace Holland Made-for-TV movie directed by Kevin Connor Criminal Minds Erika Silverman Episode: "The Slave of Duty" 2010 Bones Dr. Catherine Bryar Episode: "The Predator in the Pool" NCIS Margaret Allison Hart 6 episodes Joan Made-for-TV movie directed by Norma Bailey Royal Pains AJ Episode: "Open Up Your Yenta Mouth and Say Ah" Medium Dr. Natalie Salem Episode: "Native Tongue" 2011 Another Man's Wife Hadley Warner Made-for-TV movie directed by Anthony Lefresne 2011–12 Covert Affairs Geena 3 episodes 2012 House Marlene Reese Episode: "Man of the House" Alexis Cane Episode: "Old Times" Beauty & the Beast Sabrina Meyer Episode: "Bridesmaid Up!" 2013 Once Upon a Time Queen Eva Episode: "The Queen is Dead" 2013–22 The Bold and the Beautiful Quinn Fuller Contract role held from July 12, 2013 to August 29, 2022 2014 Chicago P.D. Doctor Episode: "Chin Check" 2017 Jeopardy! Herself/Clue giver Season 3:Ep 88
Awards and nominations +List of acting awards and nominations Year Award Category Title Result Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Younger Lead Actress General Hospital Soap Awards France Best Villain of the Year The Bold and the Beautiful Soap Awards France Best New Character The Bold and the Beautiful Soap Awards France Best Actress of the Year The Bold and the Beautiful Soap Awards France Best Villain of the Year The Bold and the Beautiful Soap Awards France Best Villain of the Year The Bold and the Beautiful Soap Awards France Best Couple of the Year — "Quinn and Eric" (shared with John McCook) The Bold and the Beautiful
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