| Ally | John | Richard | Nelle | Renee | Mark
| Billy | Elaine | Ling |
| Larry |
While her Ally McBeal alter ego is known as "Sub-Zero Nelle," there's no questioning the fact that Portia de Rossi warmed up the show when she joined the cast in 1998.
Date of Birth: 01/31/1973
Education:Attended Melbourne University Law School
"I was a huge fan [of Ally McBeal]. If I couldn't see it, I'd tape it. My friends and I would talk about it. Now that I'm in it, it's kind of surreal." - People Weekly, November 30, 1998
Portia de Rossi lost her father to a heart attack when she was only 9 years old. The loss spurred Portia, who was raised by her medical receptionist mom, to live life to the fullest and to pursue every opportunity that came her way. At 11, she started a modeling career. By 14, she was appearing in commercials and had changed her name from Amanda Rogers to the more catchy Portia de Rossi. It seemed like Portia was destined for a career in showbiz, but the A student instead chose to attend law school. Portia was one year into the program when she auditioned for a role in the film Sirens (1994). It was just a lark: Portia only tried out for a role in hopes of meeting Sam Neill, one of the stars of the film. Little did she know that she would actually be cast in the film. After completing Sirens, Portia quickly realized that acting was her true calling. She ditched law school and moved to Los Angeles in 1994 to pursue the occupation full time. She got her big break just four years later in 1998 when Ally McBeal creator David E. Kelley cast her on his hit show.
Portia has a tattoo on her right middle finger, which she covers up on Ally McBeal with a ring. Got her role after Vanessa Marcil was forced to turn it down, due to signing on to Beverly Hills, 90210. She is also a natural brunette.
