# Rachael Harris
**Rachael Harris** (born 1968) is an American actress and comedian known for playing Dr. Linda Martin, the therapist to the title character, in the series *Lucifer* (2016–2021), for Susan Heffley in the first three *Diary of a Wimpy Kid* films, and for her comedy work in *The Hangover* and the improvised films of [Christopher Guest](https://www.edgepedia.org/christopher-guest). She trained and performed with the Groundlings, the Los Angeles improvisational and sketch comedy troupe, before moving into television and film.[1](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris) • [2](https://www.filmweb.pl/person/Rachael%2BHarris-150401/biography)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1968, Worthington, Ohio[3](https://www.blu-ray.com/Rachael-Harris/73579/) |
| Training | BFA in theater and music from Otterbein College; joined the Groundlings in the late 1990s and later taught at its school[1](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris) |
| Signature TV role | Dr. Linda Martin on *Lucifer*, 2016–2021[2](https://www.filmweb.pl/person/Rachael%2BHarris-150401/biography) |
| Film roles | Melissa in *The Hangover* (2009); Susan Heffley in the first three *Diary of a Wimpy Kid* films (2010–2012)[1](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris) |
| Acclaimed lead | *Natural Selection* (2011): SXSW Breakthrough Performance award and Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead[4](https://www.dailyactor.com/interview/interview-rachael-harris-matt-oleary-and-director-robbie-pickering-of-sxsws-grand-jury-award-winner-natural-selection/) |
| Other recurring TV | Sheila Sazs on *Suits*; roles in *New Girl*, *The Good Wife*, and *Modern Family*[1](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris) • [5](https://www.metacritic.com/person/rachael-harris/) |
| Early work | Single-episode roles in *seaQuest DSV* and *Star Trek: Voyager* (as Martis, mother of Kes); Daily Show correspondent, 2002–2003[6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006713/fullcredits) |
## Early life and training
Harris grew up in Worthington, Ohio, and graduated from Worthington High School in 1986. She attended Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, graduating with a [Bachelor of Fine Arts](https://www.edgepedia.org/bachelor-of-fine-arts) in theater and music.[1](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris) • [6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006713/fullcredits) After relocating to Los Angeles, she joined the Groundlings in the late 1990s, performed with the troupe into the mid-2000s, and taught for a time at the Groundlings school, where experienced members train young performers.[1](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris) • [7](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/harris-rachael)
Her first television appearances were single-episode roles in science-fiction series: *seaQuest DSV* and *Star Trek: Voyager*, where she played Martis, the mother of the regular character Kes.[6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006713/fullcredits) She had a recurring role as Simone, a college student, on the sitcom *Sister, Sister*, and spent one season, 2002–2003, as a correspondent on the news satire *The Daily Show*.[6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006713/fullcredits)
## Comedy career
Harris became known for guest and supporting comedy roles across television. She appeared in *Curb Your Enthusiasm*, *Friends*, *Frasier*, *Modern Family*, *The Office*, and *New Girl*, among many other series.[1](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris) • [5](https://www.metacritic.com/person/rachael-harris/) She was part of the main casts of the FOX sitcom *Surviving Jack* (2014), opposite [Christopher Meloni](https://www.edgepedia.org/christopher-meloni), and the comedy *Fat Actress* (2005), in which she played Kevyn Shecket in all seven episodes of its single season.[1](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris) • [6](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006713/fullcredits)
Her film comedy work includes the Christopher Guest improvised films *Best in Show*, *A Mighty Wind*, and *For Your Consideration*, and the 2009 box-office hit *The Hangover*, in which she played Melissa.[1](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris) • [8](https://www.avclub.com/rachael-harris-1798230571) In the *Diary of a Wimpy Kid* films (2010–2012) she played Susan Heffley, the mother of the protagonist, in the first three entries of the series.[1](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris) • [9](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/7785/rachael-harris)
## Natural Selection and dramatic work
In *Natural Selection* (2011), an independent film that won the Grand Jury prize at the South by Southwest Film Festival, Harris played Linda, a devout Christian housewife determined to reunite her dying husband with his illegitimate son. She and co-star [Matt O'Leary](https://www.edgepedia.org/matt-oleary) won Breakthrough Performance awards at the festival, and in 2012 Harris was nominated for Best Female Lead at the [Independent Spirit Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/independent-spirit-awards).[4](https://www.dailyactor.com/interview/interview-rachael-harris-matt-oleary-and-director-robbie-pickering-of-sxsws-grand-jury-award-winner-natural-selection/) • [1](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris) Director Robbie Pickering cast her against the comic type of her earlier roles, and the production allowed improvisation alongside the script.[4](https://www.dailyactor.com/interview/interview-rachael-harris-matt-oleary-and-director-robbie-pickering-of-sxsws-grand-jury-award-winner-natural-selection/) Harris has said her own divorce experience helped her land the role.[10](https://www.hollywood.com/movies/rachael-harris-divorce-experience-helped-her-nab-natural-selection-role-57231071)
## Lucifer and later television
From 2016 to 2021 Harris was a series regular on *Lucifer*, playing Dr. Linda Martin, therapist to Tom Ellis's Lucifer. Her performance gives Linda a direct, measured presence and uses pauses and reactions as carefully as dialogue, grounding the show's supernatural premise in ordinary conversation.[2](https://www.filmweb.pl/person/Rachael%2BHarris-150401/biography) • [11](https://www.feyno.com/en/people/rachael-harris-1968)
Her other notable recurring television role was Sheila Sazs on the USA series *Suits*.[1](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris) She was nominated for a Saturn Award for her guest appearance in the series *Ghosts*.[2](https://www.filmweb.pl/person/Rachael%2BHarris-150401/biography) She has continued with guest and recurring parts in series including *The Sex Lives of College Girls*, *Leverage: Redemption*, and *Fantasy Island*.[5](https://www.metacritic.com/person/rachael-harris/)
## Recent work
Harris stars as Nora in the *Goosebumps* series inspired by R.L. Stine's books, and appeared in the 2023 films *Old Dads*, directed by [Bill Burr](https://www.edgepedia.org/bill-burr), and *Unfrosted*, [Jerry Seinfeld](https://www.edgepedia.org/jerry-seinfeld)'s directorial debut, as well as the 2024 comedy *[Mother of the Bride](https://www.edgepedia.org/mother-of-the-bride-2024-film)*.[12](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/rachael_harris_bio_sept_2023_8cdaaa09.pdf) • [3](https://www.blu-ray.com/Rachael-Harris/73579/) In 2025 she appeared as Dr. Marshall in the series *Leanne*.[5](https://www.metacritic.com/person/rachael-harris/)
## Personal life
Harris married the actor, writer, and producer Adam Paul on May 24, 2003; the marriage ended in divorce in 2008. She married Christian Hebel on April 30, 2015, and they have two sons, Henry (born 2016) and Otto (born 2018).[2](https://www.filmweb.pl/person/Rachael%2BHarris-150401/biography) She resides in Los Angeles with her children.[1](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris)
## References
1. [Rachael Harris, The Groundlings](https://groundlings.com/people/rachael-harris)
2. [Rachael Harris biography, Filmweb](https://www.filmweb.pl/person/Rachael%2BHarris-150401/biography)
3. [Rachael Harris filmography, Blu-ray.com](https://www.blu-ray.com/Rachael-Harris/73579/)
4. [Interview: Rachael Harris, Matt O'Leary and Director Robbie Pickering of SXSW's Grand Jury Award Winner, 'Natural Selection', Daily Actor](https://www.dailyactor.com/interview/interview-rachael-harris-matt-oleary-and-director-robbie-pickering-of-sxsws-grand-jury-award-winner-natural-selection/)
5. [Rachael Harris TV credits, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/person/rachael-harris/)
6. [Rachael Harris full credits and biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006713/fullcredits)
7. [Harris, Rachael, Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/harris-rachael)
8. [Rachael Harris, Random Roles, The A.V. Club](https://www.avclub.com/rachael-harris-1798230571)
9. [Rachael Harris, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/7785/rachael-harris)
10. [Rachael Harris: Divorce Experience Helped Her Nab 'Natural Selection' Role, Hollywood.com](https://www.hollywood.com/movies/rachael-harris-divorce-experience-helped-her-nab-natural-selection-role-57231071)
11. [Rachael Harris performance profile, Feyno](https://www.feyno.com/en/people/rachael-harris-1968)
12. [Rachael Harris biography (September 2023), press bio PDF](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/rachael_harris_bio_sept_2023_8cdaaa09.pdf)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 2000s onward › Surnames H to Ha*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license