Gilmore Girls

Background:

Actress Rini Bell is known for her performances in films like Todd Phillips' “Road Trip” (2000), Peyton Reed's “Bring It On” (2000), Terry Zwigoff's “Ghost World” (2001), Steven Spielberg's “The Terminal” (2004), Sam Mendes' “Jarhead” (2005) and Patrick Healy's “Baja Beach Bums” (2009). She won a Short Film Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 2003 New York International Independent Film & Video Festival for her role in “As Virgins Fall” (2003). On television, she played the recurring role of Lulu in “Gilmore Girls” (15 episodes, 2003-2007) and voiced roles in four episodes of the animated television series “King of the Hill” (2007-2009). Bell is now a celebrity model for Roger Claude Clothing.

Currently, Bell lives in Los Angeles, California. In her spare time, she enjoys monster truck rallies and karaoke.

Rome

Childhood and Family:

Rini Bell was born on March 21, 1981, in Rome, Italy. She grew up primarily in Europe before her family moved to the United States and settled in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was educated at Louise S. McGehee School. When she was 15 years old, Bell attended the performing arts Beginnings Workshop in New York. Rini is the daughter of world renowned Jungian analyst Battle Bell. She is also a descendant of writer Anna Sewell.

Bring It On

Career:

Rini Bell made her feature acting debut as Alice in the 1997 independent film “Arresting Gena,” which was directed and written by Hannah Weyer and starred Aesha Waks as Gena. The drama was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize-Dramatic at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival and the Grand Prix Asturias for Best Feature at the 1997 Gijón International Film Festival. Three years later, she appeared with Breckin Meyer, Seann William Scott, Amy Smart, DJ Qualls, Paulo Costanzo, Anthony Rapp and Rachel Blanchard in the comedy film “Road Trip” (2000), which was written by Todd Phillips and Scott Armstrong and directed by Phillips. She then acted with Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford and Gabrielle Union in Peyton Reed's “Bring It On” (2000).

In 2001, Bell portrayed a graduation speaker in the Terry Zwigoff directed “Ghost World,” which was adapted from the comic book of the same name by Daniel Clowes, who also co-wrote the script with Zwigoff. The dramatic comedy garnered positive reviews from critics and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published. It won an Independent Spirit for Best First Screenplay, among other awards and nominations. Despite the critical success, “Ghost World” was not a major success at the box office, but has since built a cult following. The cast included Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas and Stacey Travisc.

Bell debuted on television in 2001 when she guest starred as Luanne in an episode of “Reba” called “The Steaks Are High.” She then played Tanya in an episode of “So Little Time” called “Larrypalooza” (2002). Also in 2002, she appeared with Christine Klotz and Steven Nevius in the short “The Romantic.”

In 2003, Bell co-starred with Dominique Swain, Jennifer Coolidge, Oliver Hudson and Christopher Gartin in the thriller “As Virgins Fall,” by Natalie Barandes. For her portrayal of Jodi Horn, she picked up the Short Film Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 2003 New York International Independent Film & Video Festival. After playing Amanda in “Burning Annie” (2004, directed by Van Flesher), she received the supporting role of Nadia in Steven Spielberg's “The Terminal” (2004), which starred Tom Hanks as Viktor Navorski and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Amelia Warren. She then appeared as Swoff's sister in “Jarhead” (2005), a war movie based on U.S. Marine Anthony Swofford's 2003 Gulf War memoir of the same name. The latter film, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Swofford and directed by Sam Mendes, received generally positive reviews from critics.

From 2003 to 2007, Bell portrayed the recurring role of Lulu, a third grade teacher and love interest to Kirk Gleason, on the comedy series “Gilmore Girls,” which starred Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. She appeared in a total of 15 episodes of the series. In 2007, Bell also guest starred in “Celebrity Deathmatch” and portrayed The Publicist in the short “Cash Cow.” She then began lending her voice to the animated series “King of the Hill.”

In 2008, Bell appeared in the horror movie “The Thirst: Blood War” (2008), opposite Tony Todd, A.J. Draven, Jason Connery, Allison Lange, America Olivo and Owiso Odera. She then starred as Unis in the comedy “Baja Beach Bums” (2009), by Patrick Healy. She also provided the voice of Honorine Bell in episodes of the animated series “The Goode Family.”

Bell is scheduled to appear in “A Girl, a Guy, a Space Helmet” (2010), a comedy film written and directed by Mike Timm. Costars of the movie include Anthony Backman, Kip Weeks, Lindsey K. Vaerst, Scott Subiono, Stephanie Keefer, Jacques Freydont, Tara Platt and Heather Howe.

Awards:

• New York International Independent Film & Video Festival (L.A. festival): Short Film Award, Best Supporting Actress, “As Virgins Fall,” 2003