Rachel Miner, born on July 29, 1980, in New York City, is an acclaimed American actress noted for her dynamic range and compelling on-screen presence. Coming from a family deeply rooted in the entertainment world, Rachel is the daughter of Peter Miner, a director and acting teacher, and Diane Miner, a writer.

Her early exposure to the arts and family influence undoubtedly shaped her passion for acting from a young age. Rachel attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, a school renowned for nurturing artistic talent and creativity, further developing her skills and commitment to an acting career. She also studied at New York’s Professional Children’s School, another institution focused on guiding young performers.

Her acting ambitions were clear early in life. She began working with an acting coach when she was eight years old and acquired her first agent by the age of nine. Her professional debut on screen came soon after, with appearances in film and television roles throughout her childhood.

She achieved notable recognition for her portrayal of Michelle Bauer on the CBS daytime soap opera "Guiding Light," a role she played from 1990 to 1995. Her performance earned her widespread critical acclaim as well as several award nominations, including a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series and multiple Young Artist Award nominations. This early success established her as a promising young actress and provided the foundation for her later career.

Her breakthrough in film arrived with a starring role as Lisa Connelly in Larry Clark’s controversial crime drama "Bully" (2001). Her portrayal was lauded by critics and secured her the Stockholm International Film Festival Award for Best Actress, a significant international recognition that highlighted her dramatic abilities.

In addition to "Bully," she worked on various notable projects throughout the 2000s, with roles in films such as "Haven" (2004), Brian De Palma’s noir crime film "The Black Dahlia" (2006), and the psychological horror "Penny Dreadful" (2006). Her television career continued to flourish with guest appearances and recurring roles on series like “Californication” and, most famously, on “Supernatural,” where she portrayed the demon Meg Masters, becoming a fan favorite for her distinctive blend of menace and humanity in the character.

In her personal life, Rachel Miner was briefly married to actor Macaulay Culkin from 1998 to 2002.

Throughout her career, she has garnered four acting award wins and seven nominations, including those from the Daytime Emmy Awards, Soap Opera Digest Awards, Young Artist Awards, and international honors like the Stockholm Film Festival.