Portia de Rossi is an Australian-American actress, model, and philanthropist. She is best known for her roles as Nelle Porter on the American drama series Ally McBeal (1998–2002), for which she won a Screen Actors Guild Award, Lindsay Bluth Fünke on the American television sitcom Arrested Development (2003–2006, 2013, 2018–2019), and Elizabeth North on the American political thriller series Scandal (2014–2017).
De Rossi was born Amanda Lee Rogers in Horsham, Victoria, Australia, on January 31, 1973. She began modeling as a child and appeared in several television commercials. In 1994, she made her film debut in the comedy Sirens. She moved to Los Angeles in 1995 and began appearing in guest roles on television shows such as Ally McBeal and Chicago Hope.
In 1998, de Rossi was cast as Nelle Porter on Ally McBeal. The role made her a star and she won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. She also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film.
De Rossi continued to work steadily after Ally McBeal ended in 2002. She starred in the films Stigmata (1999) and Girl (1998), and she appeared in the television series Arrested Development (2003–2006, 2013, 2018–2019) and Better Off Ted (2009–2010).
In 2014, de Rossi was cast as Elizabeth North on the political thriller series Scandal. The role earned her a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
De Rossi is also a philanthropist. She is a supporter of several organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, the Trevor Project, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. She is also a co-founder of the animal rescue organization Kindred Spirits.
De Rossi is married to actress and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. They have been together since 2000 and were married in 2008.

Ellen Degeneres: For Your Approval
Self (uncredited)
2024

The Kardashians
Self · (1 episode)
2022

Adele One Night Only
Self
2021

Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable
Herself
2018

Santa Clarita Diet
Dr. Cora Wolf · (2 episodes)
2017

Now Add Honey
Beth Morgan
2015

Unity
Narrator (voice)
2015

Tab Hunter Confidential
Self
2015

Sean Saves the World
Jill · (1 episode)
2013

The Arrested Development Documentary Project
Self
2013

Mockingbird Lane
Lily Munster
2012

Mockingbird Lane
Lily Munster · (1 episode)
2012

Scandal
Elizabeth North · (49 episodes)
2012

Better Off Ted
Veronica Palmer · (26 episodes)
2009

The Shift
Denise Moore
2009

Cursed
Zela
2005

Dead & Breakfast
Kelly - The Bride
2004

Arrested Development
Lindsay Bluth Fünke · (84 episodes)
2003

The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self · (1 episode)
2003

The Night We Called It a Day
Hilary Hunter
2003

Nip/Tuck
Olivia Lord · (10 episodes)
2003

I Witness
Emily Thompson (as Portia De Rossi)
2003

America's Prince: The John F. Kennedy Jr. Story
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
2003

Mister Sterling
(2 episodes)
2003

The Twilight Zone
Laurel Janus · (1 episode)
2002

The Glow
Jackie Lawrence
2002

E! Live from the Red Carpet
Self · (1 episode)
2002

Who Is Cletis Tout?
Tess Donnelly
2001

Women in Film
Gina
2001

Stigmata
Jennifer Kelliho
1999

American Intellectuals
Sarah
1999

Family Guy
Bonnie Swanson's Prank Call Voice (voice) · (1 episode)
1999

The Invisibles
Joy
1999

Perfect Assassins
Leo Benita
1998

Girl
Carla
1998

Scream 2
Sorority Sister Murphy
1997

Veronica's Closet
Carolyn · (1 episode)
1997

Ally McBeal
Nelle Porter · (89 episodes)
1997

The View
Self · (1 episode)
1997
Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher
Elana Lewis · (22 episodes)
1996

MADtv
Self · (1 episode)
1995
Too Something
Maria Hunter · (22 episodes)
1995

Sirens
Giddy
1994

Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1993

LIVE with Kelly and Mark
(0 episode)
1988