Portia de Rossi was born and raised in Geelong, Australia. Originally born Mandy Rogers, at 15, she changed her name to Portia, saying that it was the most daring thing she had ever done up until that point. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Melbourne, and studied law. Although she studied diligently, in 1993, Portia found herself giving special notice to a casting director who had seen her in a commercial, and she soon after auditioned for Sirens, a low budget comedy, starring Hugh Grant. She was cast in the role of Giddy, one of the three gorgeous models in the movie. It wasn't until 1997, however, that Portia at last began to attract real attention. She turned an unforgettable role as Murphy in Scream 2, and in 1998, she joined the cast of Ally McBeal as the "Ice Queen", Nelle Porter. She has also worked on such projects as Stigmata, Girl, and The Invisibles, and she has appeared on several magazine covers, including Sharpe. After more than a decade of hard work, Portia is finally beginning to win real recognition, not only for her long golden tresses, but also for her wonderful talent.
Got the role of Nell Porter on Ally McBeal after Vanessa Marcil was forced to turn it down, due to signing on to Beverly Hills, 90210. Got her role in Who Is Cletis Tout? after Sarah Michelle Gellar turned it down. Sang backing vocals on now ex-girlfriend's Francesca Gregorini's album "Sequel" (2003). Longtime romantic partner of comic Ellen DeGeneres. Shares a birthday with Arrested Development costar Jessica Walter.