How a New Zealand actress became an international icon and a dwarf planet's namesake
In short: From playing a villainous Amazon to becoming a global symbol of strength, Lucy Lawless's career spans far beyond the screen. Her influence even reached the edges of our solar system, inspiring astronomers to use her most famous character's name for a celestial body.
Lucy Lawless first entered the spotlight in 1994, appearing in the pilot for Hercules: The Legendary Journeys as the character Lysia. However, it was her 1ical transition to the role of Xena, the Warrior Princess, in 1995 that catapulted her to fame. Originally, the role was intended for Vanessa Angel, but due to illness, Lawless took the part, adopting a darker costume and black hair to distinguish her character from her previous role.
Her stardom brought both immense fame and significant challenges. In 1996, while appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, a riding accident resulted in a fractured pelvis. The incident actually drew more eyes to her show, as producers had to rewrite episodes to accommodate her recovery. Beyond acting, Lawless has been a vocal activist, notably serving as a Greenpeace climate ambassador. In 2012, she was arrested during a 77-hour protest on an oil drilling ship at Port Taranaki, later pleading guilty to trespass charges.
The 'Xena' legacy even extended into deep space. In 2003, astronomer Michael E. Brown used the nickname 'Xena' for the dwarf planet 2003 UB313 when it appeared larger than Pluto. While the object was eventually named Eris, the tribute to Lawless remained through the naming of Eris's moon, Dysnomia, after the Greek goddess of lawlessness. Lawless, who has also been recognized with a New Zealand Order of Merit for her community service, continues to work as a director and actress in series like My Life Is Murder.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Lucy Lawless
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