The soap opera star who returned to her roots after 26 years

Entertainment · Published 19 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Rena Sofer built a career on the high-stakes drama of daytime television, earning a Daytime Emmy for her portrayal of Lois Cerullo. After nearly three decades away from the role, she recently returned to the same canvas, bridging a massive gap in her professional history.

In 1993, Rena Sofer first appeared on General Hospital, but it was her role as Lois Cerullo that defined her early career. Her portrayal of the "outrageous" character earned her a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1995. This role was so significant that she eventually reprised it in October 2023, marking a 26-year absence from the character. She first appeared on the show in 1993 as a band manager. Her portrayal of the character lasted from December 1993 until September 1996. She also made brief guest appearances in 1997.

Sofer’s career is characterized by longevity and versatility across different genres. She spent nearly a decade (2013–2022) portraying Quinn Fuller on The Bold and the Beautiful. Beyond soaps, she has appeared in high-profile prime-time series like Seinfeld, Friends, and NCIS, and even played Snow White's mother on Once Upon a Time. She played a recurring role on NCIS starting in early 2010. Her guest spots also included the sitcom Just Shoot Me! and the series Heroes. She even appeared in the 2002 television film adaptation of Carrie.

Her film credits include appearances in Keeping the Faith and A Stranger Among Us. Her personal life has often mirrored the narrative complexity of her work. She was married to her General Hospital co-star Wally Kurth in 1995, only to divorce in 1997. She later married director Sanford Bookstaver in 2003, divorced in 2017, reconciled in 2019, and remarried in 2024. Born to a psychology professor and an Orthodox rabbi, Sofer's journey from a New Jersey upbringing to Emmy-winning stardom illustrates a complex intersection of personal history and public performance. She grew up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania attending the Frisch School. Her father served as the rabbi of Temple Beth El in North Bergen. She also attended classes at Montclair State College.

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