Renee Faia was born and raised in Bedford, Ohio. After receiving a
scholarship to Columbus College of Art & Design, Renee began to study
painting and clothing design. Soon she headed to Los Angeles to pursue
a career as a costume illustrator. While working several years for
Castle Rock Entertainment, first in television as costume stylist, then
in film as an art coordinator, Renee simultaneously began to study
acting. Renee continued to work in various positions behind the scenes
and was about to become an art director, when she decided to make a
full turn toward acting. Her first film role was, The American
President (1995) which Rob Reiner cast Renee in after working with her
behind the scenes on, A Few Good Men (1992).
Renee found her real breakthrough and first starring role when she was
chosen from a nation-wide search to play "Cher", a role that earned her
critical acclaim, in ABC's, And The Beat Goes On - The Sonny & Cher Story
(1999). Renee was cast opposite singer, Dave Matthews in Disney's,
Where The Red Fern Grows (2003), a feature film based on the popular
children's book.
Neil Burger (The Illusionist) (2006), cast Renee in his first film,
Interview With The Assassin (2002), which was nominated for three
Independent Spirit Awards in 2003. Renee was the female lead, opposite
Emmy Nominee, Michael Imperioli (The Soprano's) in, High Roller - (a.k.a -
"Stuey") (2003), a film based on the true story of legendary poker
champion, Stu "The Kid" Unger. High Roller received a Prism Festival
Award as well as the Audience Award at the Nashville Film Festival.