Biography for
Rachel Hurd-Wood More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

17 August 1990, Streatham, London, England, UK

Birth Name

Rachel Clare Hurd-Wood

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Trivia

When she was younger, she was jealous of the Wendy character in the Disney film Peter Pan (1953), because that Wendy got to swordfight and fly.

She enjoys ice skating, art and listening to rap and hip-hop music.

She found out about the role of Wendy in Peter Pan (2003) after her grandparents saw an advert on television. They contacted Rachel's mother and when she came home from school one day her mother started measuring her, when she found Rachel was in the height requirements, she said Rachel could audition.

She has often said she does not plan on continuing to have a career of being an actress. In 2003/2004, she said she loves dolphins and hopes to become a marine biologist. In a September/October 2009 interview with Little White Lies magazine, she said she wants to teach, do speech therapy, or work with autistic children, in which she also stated, "It was never my goal to be an actor".

Older sister of Patrick Hurd-Wood.

Lives in a cottage at the edge of a forest with her parents and brother in Godalming, Surrey, England

Daughter of Philip Hurd-Wood and Sarah Hurd-Wood.

She attended Rodborough Technology College from 2001-2006. The school is located in Milford, Surrey, England.

Is half Irish.

Studying Linguistics at University College London. [2009]

Her father Philip Hurd-Wood is a voiceover artist and actor. Her mother Sarah is a housewife.

Born in Streatham, England before moving to Surrey, England with her parents when she was eight years old.

Ranked as having one of the "Most Beautiful Famous Faces" for 3 consecutive years by "The Annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Famous Faces From Around the World". She was ranked #54 in 2010, #16 in 2009, and #36 in 2008.

Personal Quotes

First acting experience - so that was just, incredible, I never thought that I'd get it, I really didn't. I still can't believe it - you know, it just seems so weird, and seeing it up on the big screen. I kind of disassociate the finished product to when we were actually filming because the two seem so different.

It's like a dream ... one minute I am walking across the playground to maths and next, I'm flying to Hollywood to meet the world's press.

'English Rose' - what does that actually mean? That I am pale? That I am English, maybe? They are going to say that about any actress from this country!

I've been a victim in every film I have done so far. It would be nice to play someone who doesn't get killed for once. Then again, I am getting really good at screaming and fake tears...

[When asked if she would have become an actor had it not been for her lucky break at age 11 as Wendy in Peter Pan (2003)]: Probably not. I want to teach or do speech therapy [she is currently doing a linguistics degree], maybe working with autistic children. It was never my goal to be an actor. If my career ends here then fine. It's just a path in life and I've had a damn good time.

[When asked if she was worried on the effect of being touted as the next big thing by critics on her acting profile after the hype of Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)]: I'm not bothered with my profile. Although I had auditions [after Perfume] my heart wasn't really in it. My primary focus has always been on school. I wouldn't describe myself as an actor. I'd describe myself as a student.

[on being typecast in period pieces]: I'm sick of having red hair but people seem to like that aesthetic. I would really like to play someone contemporary as I've done lots of period pieces. I would love to play an American bimbo or a grimy Londoner. But I'm probably more suited in people's minds to playing a corseted victim. They think, 'Oh right, she's pale, she looks like she couldn't really fight back.'

Where Are They Now

(September 2006) Currently attending Godalming College studying for her A-Levels

(May 2012) London, England: Living and working.