Renee Lawless Biography: Age, Husband, Height, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Star Academy

Renee Lawless is a talented American actress and singer, widely recognized for her powerful portrayal of Katheryn Cryer in the Oprah Winfrey Network’s prime-time soap opera The Haves and the Have Nots.

Her commanding stage presence, honed through years of musical theater, and her melodious voice have earned her a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim in both television and theater, making her a respected figure in the American entertainment industry.

Profile

• Full Name: Renee Lawless-Orsini
• Stage Name: Renee Lawless
• Born: November 30, 1960
• Age: 64 years old
• Birthplace: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress, Singer, Motivational Speaker
• Height: 4 feet 11 inches (1.50 m)
• Parents: Bob Lawless and Anne Lawless
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $1.5 million USD

Early Life and Education

Renee Lawless was born on November 30, 1960, in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, to her parents, Bob Lawless and Anne Lawless.

Raised in a Southern Baptist household, she grew up immersed in the church community, She attended Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville.

Renee graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music and later earned a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music.

Her American heritage and strong Christian faith have influenced her disciplined work ethic and passion for storytelling through performance.

Career

Renee Lawless began her career in the mid-1990s, focusing on musical theater with roles in national touring productions of Beauty and the Beast, where she played Eggtimer, Mrs. Potts, and Madame de la Grande Bouche, and Wicked, where she served as the Midwife and understudy for Madame Morrible for five years.

Her other theatrical credits include Menopause the Musical, Always Patsy Cline, Brigadoon, My Fair Lady, and Nine, showcasing her vocal prowess and stage versatility.

She made her television debut in 1994 with a guest role in the pilot episode of Heavens to Betsy, alongside Dolly Parton.

Her film roles include Bono (2012) as Gwen, Bad Frank (2017) as Frank’s Mom, They Came and Left (2019) as Geraldine Montgomery, and The Lucky Ones (2020).

Her breakthrough came in 2013 when she was cast as Katheryn Cryer, the fierce and wealthy matriarch, in Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

She appeared in 137 episodes from 2013 to 2021, earning widespread recognition for her portrayal of the complex character.

The series, a crime drama and soap opera, became OWN’s most popular show, averaging 2.8 million viewers per episode.

In 2020, she played Georgia in the recurring role on the television series Aunt Cissy and Agent Charlotte in Stuck With You.

Renee is also developing a video blog series, Renee’s Way or the Highway, which is in pre-production.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @reneelawless
• Facebook Handle: Renee Lawless
• Twitter Handle: @ReneeLawless

Personal Life

Renee Lawless, 64 years old, is divorced and currently single.

She was previously married, but details about her ex-husband and the reasons for their divorce remain private, as she prefers to keep her personal life out of the spotlight.

Renee is passionate about her work with the Family Legacy Organization, helping children in Zambia access education and medical care, reflecting her deep Christian faith.

She enjoys reading, though she has noted that her busy schedule limits her time for books compared to her touring days.

Renee has expressed a belief in the sanctity of marriage, stating it should be entered with the right partner, and has no children.

Filmography

• Heavens to Betsy (1994) – Guest Role (TV Series, Pilot Episode)
• Bono (2012) – Gwen (Supporting Role, Film)
• Bad Frank (2017) – Frank’s Mom (Supporting Role, Film)
• They Came and Left (2019) – Geraldine Montgomery (Supporting Role, Short Film)
• The Haves and the Have Nots (2013–2021) – Katheryn Cryer (Main Role, TV Series, 137 episodes)
• Aunt Cissy (2020) – Georgia (Recurring Role, TV Series)
• Stuck With You (2020) – Agent Charlotte (Recurring Role, TV Series)
• The Lucky Ones (2020) – Supporting Role (Film)
• Broadway Celebrates Veterans Day (2020) – Herself (TV Special)

Net Worth

Renee Lawless has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million USD.

Her wealth is primarily derived from her acting roles, particularly her long-running stint as Katheryn Cryer in The Haves and the Have Nots, which averaged 2.8 million viewers per episode.

Additional income comes from her theater performances in Beauty and the Beast and Wicked, as well as her film roles and motivational speaking engagements.