Daisy Ridley

Birthday: 10 April 1992, London, England, UK

Birth Name: Daisy Jazz Isobel Ridley

Height: 170 cm

Daisy Jazz Isobel Ridley is an English actress. She is best known for her breakthrough role as "Rey" in the 2015 film, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015). Daisy was born in Westminster, London, on April 10, 1992. She is the daughter of Louise Fawkner-Corbett and Chris Ridley. Her great-uncle was Arnold Ridley, an English actor, playwright, and appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), who was best known for his authorship of the play, "The Ghost Train", and his role as "Private Godfrey" in the British sitcom, Dad's Army (1968). Daisy attended the Tring Park School for Performing Arts, located in Hertfordshire, England, where she trained in musical theater and graduated in 2010, at the age of 18. Aside from acting, her talent repertoire includes ballet, jazz dancing, Latin American, and tap. Her vocal range is mezzo-soprano, where she is notably skilled in jazz and cabaret singing. Upon graduation, Daisy was hired in a number of roles in television, film, and music. She was cast to play "Jessie" in the British comedy-drama, Youngers (2013). In 2013, she played "Fran Bedingfield" in the BBC series, Casualty (1986), and as "Charlotte" in the British comedy, Toast of London (2012). In 2014, she played opposite to Jeremy Piven as "Roxy Starlet" in the second season of the ITV series, Mr Selfridge (2013), and as "Hannah Kennedy" in two episodes of the BBC crime drama, Silent Witness (1996). She further had roles in short films, including Scrawl, 100% Beef, and Crossed Wires. She was featured in Blue Season, which was entered into the Sci-Fi-London 48-Hour Film Challenge, and Lifesaver, which was nominated for a BAFTA Award. She also appeared in Wiley's British rap music video, Lights On. In April 2014, it was announced that Daisy was cast to play the heroine main protagonist, Rey, in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the first film in the new trilogy of the Star Wars franchise. Since its release in December 2015, the J.J. Abrams directed movie has received critical acclaim and became the fastest movie, ever, to reach $1 billion at the box office, worldwide. In August 2015, it was announced that she would play the lead role of Taeko in the English dub of the 1991 animated film, Only Yesterday, which is set to be released in 2016. In December 2015, it was announced that Daisy will reprise her role as Rey in the eighth Star Wars film, which will start filming in January 2016 and is scheduled for release in 2017. Hide

What we've seen of Rey, she looks like she can handle her stuff. So most of the comments I get are f Show more What we've seen of Rey, she looks like she can handle her stuff. So most of the comments I get are from parents who say how wonderful it is that their little girls can see this character. Hide

[About the Star Wars Celebration event] I didn't think of it like that until dinner last night when Show more [About the Star Wars Celebration event] I didn't think of it like that until dinner last night when somebody mentioned how many people might be watching. It was so cool to be part of a film that is loved so much, and then to be able to launch in that sphere with just fans and people who love what we're doing and are so excited about what's going to come in December, that was the best way to come out, as it were. Hide

[About her video reel being deleted] That was actually me! I wanted it to be so people could just co Show more [About her video reel being deleted] That was actually me! I wanted it to be so people could just concentrate on this. I'm so proud of what I've done before, but I wanted it to feel fresh. Which is what I think everyone else wanted, because everyone wanted just to see me as Rey and not as the people I've played before, even though the jobs I've done before are amazing and obviously led me to this incredible point. So here I am. Hide

The thing about Star Wars (1977) is that every single person is important. Even though Rey is a big Show more The thing about Star Wars (1977) is that every single person is important. Even though Rey is a big role, everyone influences everyone. If that wasn't so, why would so many people remember Admiral Ackbar? Hide

I went to a school called Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. I went because initially I was Show more I went to a school called Tring Park School for the Performing Arts. I went because initially I was very naughty, and my mom thought if I was busy, I'd be better. And I didn't really do acting until later on in the school, with an amazing teacher. I left, went traveling, came back. And then it all kind of went from there. Hide

[About where she grew up] London. And somebody did ask me if me and John [Boyega] got on because we' Show more [About where she grew up] London. And somebody did ask me if me and John [Boyega] got on because we're from the same place. We're not from the same place. He's from South London, I'm from West. Hide

[About her family] I've got sisters. I'm the youngest of actually five. We have been watching the mo Show more [About her family] I've got sisters. I'm the youngest of actually five. We have been watching the movies again, and my middle sister is super excited. Last year when we were filming, everyone came round and we had dinner and watched Episode IV, A New Hope, which was super cool. Hide

[on auditioning for Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)) I had heard about the role qu Show more [on auditioning for Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)) I had heard about the role quite a while before I auditioned, and I emailed my agent that I have this really weird feeling; I really feel like I need to audition. Then months went by and the same people were reading for it. But I still really had this feeling of needing to read for it. So I emailed my agent again for an audition. I had four or five auditions over seven months, and it was a very emotional time. My first few auditions really didn't feel good, but my last audition suddenly felt like something clicked. You're so desperate to get a role, but I felt like even if I didn't get it, I did a good job, I'd done myself proud. Hide

My great uncle was in Dad's Army. And I don't know if Americans will know that. It was a hugely popu Show more My great uncle was in Dad's Army. And I don't know if Americans will know that. It was a hugely popular show in England. They're redoing it as a film. Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore [in the Harry Potter movies], is playing who my great uncle played. Both my parents are creative. My dad did act when he was younger, but they're both very creative." [...] "My mum works in internal communications at a bank, and my dad's a photographer. Hide

Sadly, people think a guy and a girl can't be friends without something romantic going on. Sadly, people think a guy and a girl can't be friends without something romantic going on.

[on her favourite location while filming Star Wars: The Force Awakens] Weirdly enough, probably Abu Show more [on her favourite location while filming Star Wars: The Force Awakens] Weirdly enough, probably Abu Dhabi, even though it was so hot, it was like you literally can't imagine that heat. The feeling of stepping onto a real set for the first time, it genuinely was a baptism of fire. To see creatures walking around and speeders chilling in the sand, that was amazing, and because I was shooting there, it was like everything had built up to that moment. So a few days in, I was like, OK. I'm getting my groove now. Hide

Daisy Ridley's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (120)

RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 3

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C - Season 1

Silent Witness - Season 13

Peter Rabbit

RuPauls Drag Race: Untucked - Season 2

Saturday Night Live - Season 5

RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 12

RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 7

RuPaul's Drag Race - Season 13

Silent Witness - Season 12