Mary Rose Byrne (July 24, 1979, Balmain, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian actress. She is known for her roles in films such as Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002), Troy (2004), 28 Weeks Later (2007), Bridesmaids (2011), and the X-Men films (2011–2016). Her accolades include two AACTA Awards, a Silver Bear and a Volpi Cup, in addition to nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.
Byrne made her screen debut in the film Dallas Doll (1994), and continued to act in Australian film and television throughout the 1990s. She gained her first leading film role in The Goddess of 1967 (2000), which earned her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress.
Byrne established herself as a comedic actress with roles in films such as Get Him to the Greek (2010), Neighbors (2014), Spy (2015), and Instant Family (2018). She also starred in the film series Insidious (2010–2023) as well as in the family film Peter Rabbit (2018), and its sequel Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021). For her performance as a troubled mother in the independent film If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (2025), she received the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance. On television, Byrne appeared as Ellen Parsons in the legal thriller series Damages (2007–2012), which earned her two consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She also portrayed Gloria Steinem in the miniseries Mrs. America (2020) and led the comedy series Physical (2021–2023), and Platonic (2023–present).
Mary Rose Byrne was born on 24 July 1979 in Balmain, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales. She has Irish and Scottish ancestry. She is the youngest of four children; she has an older brother and two older sisters. In a 2009 interview, Byrne said that her mother was an atheist, while both she and her father were agnostic. Her family was described by The Telegraph as "close-knit", and frequently kept her grounded as her career took off.
Byrne attended Balmain Public School, Australian Theatre for Young People (at age eight, encouraged by one of her sisters), and Hunters Hill High School before attending Bradfield Senior College for years 11 and 12.
| Year | Image | Character | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live-Action | |||
| 2002 | 
|
Dórme | Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones |