Rena Sofer is a 56-years-old renowned American actress, best known for her role as Lois Cerullo on General Hospital, which earned her a Daytime Emmy Award in 1995.
With a net worth of around $3 million, She has enjoyed a long and successful career in television and film, with notable roles in Melrose Place, Seinfeld, and NCIS, as well as films like Traffic and Keeping the Faith.
Who is Rena Sofer?
Rena Sofer is an American actress widely recognized for her role as Lois Cerullo on the soap opera General Hospital. Her portrayal earned her a Daytime Emmy Award in 1995. She continued to enjoy success with recurring roles on prime-time TV shows, including Melrose Place, Seinfeld, and NCIS.
Before General Hospital, Sofer starred on the soap opera Loving, where she played Rocky McKenzie. Her early television career helped her build a strong foundation in acting.
In addition to her soap opera career, Sofer appeared in several films, including Traffic and Keeping the Faith. She also worked in made-for-TV movies, further expanding her acting range. Her roles across various genres proved her versatility as an actress.
Sofer’s career took another major step when she joined The Bold and the Beautiful in 2013, playing Quinn Fuller. She portrayed Quinn until 2022. In 2023, Sofer made her return to General Hospital, reprising her role as Lois Cerullo after a long break.
Throughout her career, Sofer has remained a respected figure in the entertainment industry. Her continued success and strong fanbase showcase her never ending charm in Hollywood.
Early Life of Rena Sofer
Rena Sofer was born on December 2, 1968, in Arcadia, California, and is a citizen of the United States. She is of Jewish ethnicity, and her upbringing was strongly influenced by her family’s religious and cultural background.
Her early life was shaped by both intellectual and spiritual traditions, with a mother who worked in academia and a father deeply involved in Jewish religious leadership.
Her mother, Susan Sofer, is a psychology professor, while her father, Martin Sofer, is an Orthodox rabbi. After her parents divorced, Rena and her brother were primarily raised by their father. She has one sibling, a brother named David Sofer, who is a musician.
In 1970, Rena moved with her father and brother from California to Teaneck, New Jersey. When she was around five years old, her family relocated to Ambridge, Pennsylvania, where her father became the rabbi of the Beth Samuels Jewish Center.
Later, they settled in North Bergen, New Jersey, where he served as the rabbi at Temple Beth El. Rena began her education at The Frisch School, a Modern Orthodox Jewish high school in Paramus, New Jersey. She later attended and graduated from North Bergen High School.
After high school, she continued her education at Montclair State College (now Montclair State University), where she took classes before eventually pursuing a career in acting. Her academic and religious upbringing laid a strong foundation for her discipline and success in the entertainment industry.
Rena Sofer Age
Rena Sofer is 56 years old as of 2024 because she came into the world on December 2, 1968, in Arcadia, California, United States. According to her birthday, she falls under the Sagittarius zodiac sign.
Professional Journey
Rena Sofer’s acting career began when she was discovered at 15 by a New York talent agent. Initially starting in modeling, she quickly transitioned to acting, landing roles in TV commercials, music videos, and student films.
Her breakthrough role came in 1988, when she joined the cast of ABC’s Loving, playing the role of Rocky McKenzie. Her performance on the show earned her recognition, establishing her as a rising star in daytime television.
In 1993, Sofer made her mark on ABC’s General Hospital, playing the character of Lois Cerullo, a bold record promoter with a memorable Brooklyn accent.
Her portrayal won her widespread acclaim, culminating in a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1995. Sofer’s chemistry with co-star Wally Kurth (Ned Ashton) led to their real-life marriage, further solidifying her popularity and making Lois one of the most beloved characters on the show.
Primetime Appearances and Film Roles
Following her success in daytime television, Sofer moved to primetime and film. In 1998, she joined Fox’s Melrose Place for its final season, portraying Eve Cleary, a singer entangled in a mystery.
Sofer also expanded her career into film, appearing in Sidney Lumet’s A Stranger Among Us (1992) and Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic (2000). She also starred alongside Ben Stiller and Edward Norton in Keeping the Faith (2000), further made her presence in the entertainment industry.
In 2013, Sofer returned to daytime television with the role of Quinn Fuller on CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful. Quinn’s character, a cunning jewelry designer, allowed Sofer to explore a more complex and darker role.
Her portrayal received critical acclaim, and she remained on the show until 2022, becoming an integral part of its long-running narrative. Sofer’s success on The Bold and the Beautiful marked a significant return to her soap opera roots,.
Is Rena Sofer leaving GH?
Rena Sofer has not permanently left General Hospital as of 2025. Her character, Lois Cerullo, was temporarily written out of the show while she worked on other projects. Sofer has expressed interest in returning, stating she’s open to future appearances.
Although she has mentioned the possibility of semi-retirement and relocating to the East Coast with her husband, Sanford Bookstaver, she has not ruled out returning to General Hospital or other soap operas in the future.
Rena Sofer Movies
Some of Rena Sofer movies and TV shows are listed below:
- Twin Sitters
- Carrie
- The Stepsister
- Just Shoot Me!
- Hostile Advances
- The Bold and the Beautiful
- Coupling
- Keeping the Faith
- Rock Slyde
- NCIS
- Loving
- Covert Affairs
Rena Sofer Net Worth
Rena Sofer has an estimated net worth of $3 million as of 2025. She primarily makes money through her acting career, which spans television and film. Her role in The Bold and the Beautiful reportedly earned her around $8,000 per week, totaling roughly $400,000 annually.
Sofer’s work in daytime television and guest appearances on various episodic series contributes significantly to her income. In addition to acting, Sofer has also earned money through endorsement deals and real estate investments.
She participated in a Head & Shoulders shampoo campaign in 2003, which would have provided additional income. She and her ex-husband Sanford Bookstaver also listed their San Fernando Valley home for sale in 2017.
Rena Sofer Husband
Rena Sofer is married twice to her husband Sanford Bookstaver. They first tied the knot in 2003, and together they have one daughter, Avalon Leone Bookstaver, born in 2005.
Sanford has had a successful career in the television industry, known for his work on popular series like Prison Break, The O.C., Chicago Fire, and White Collar. Though he has kept a relatively low public profile compared to his wife, Bookstaver is a significant figure in Sofer’s life.
Sofer and Bookstaver’s marriage faced challenges and led to a divorce in 2017. However, in 2019, the couple reconciled, and they announced their engagement.
Their relationship continued to grow stronger, and in 2024, they remarried. Their renewed commitment to each other has been celebrated, with their family growing closer as they continue to support one another.
Additionally, Rena was previously married to her first husband Wally Kurth, who is an actor best known for his long-running role as Ned Ashton on General Hospital, where he also played Sofer’s on-screen love interest.
Their on-screen chemistry translated into real life, and the pair got married in 1995. During their marriage, they welcomed a daughter named Rosabel Rosalind Kurth.
However, their relationship ended in divorce in 1997. Despite the split, Sofer and Kurth have maintained a respectful co-parenting relationship and remained professionally cordial.
Did Rena Sofer Remarry?
Yes, Rena Sofer remarried Sanford Bookstaver in May 2024, seven years after their divorce in 2017. They chose to remarry on what would have been their 21st wedding anniversary.
Sofer shared the joyful news on social media that reflects on the challenges they faced during their time apart and how it ultimately led them back to each other. Both expressed their happiness and love, with Sofer noting that their reunion made their relationship stronger than ever.
Rena Sofer Children
Rena Sofer has two daughters, each from different marriages. Her first daughter, Rosabel Rosalind Kurth, was born in 1996 to Sofer and her first husband, actor Wally Kurth, whom she married in 1995.
Rosabel’s middle name, Rosalind, was chosen to honor actress Rosalind Cash, whom both Sofer and Kurth deeply admired. Although Sofer and Kurth divorced in 1997, they remain co-parents and maintain a positive relationship for the sake of their daughter.
Sofer’s second daughter, Avalon Leone Bookstaver, was born in 2005 with her second husband, Sanford Bookstaver. Avalon was born in Los Angeles at 5 a.m. and weighed 8 lbs, 14 oz at birth.
Sofer has always shared her love for her daughters publicly and often speaks about how important they are to her. She is a devoted mother, balancing her busy career with raising her two children, whom she adores deeply.
Social Media Presence
Rena Sofer maintains an active presence on social media, where she shares a mix of professional and personal content.
She frequently updates her followers on Instagram, X, and Facebook, where she shares about her acting projects, including her return to General Hospital and other career milestones.
Rena Sofer Height and Weight
Rena Sofer stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches which is equal to 168 centimeters or 1.68 meters and has a slim, well-proportioned figure. She is known for her striking features, including bright eyes and dark hair, which complement her elegant appearance.
She weighs around 60 kilograms which is equal to 132 pound. Despite being in her mid-50s, Sofer maintains a youthful look, which she attributes to a healthy lifestyle and positive attitude.
Bottom Line
In the Bottom line, Rena Sofer has had a successful career in television and film, with standout roles on General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful. Her talent and versatility have earned her widespread recognition, and she continues to be a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
Must Read: Emma Rose Biography
