Gillian Greene is an American film director, producer, and actress best known for directing Murder of a Cat and Fanboy, as well as her marriage to filmmaker Sam Raimi. Born on January 6, 1968, in Santa Monica, California, she is the daughter of legendary television actor Lorne Greene and actress Nancy Deale. According to her IMDb biography, she developed an interest in filmmaking while growing up around Hollywood productions.
Although many people recognize Gillian because of her connection to the director of Spider-Man and The Evil Dead, she has her own history in entertainment. She began with acting appearances before moving behind the camera to direct independent films.
Her personal life also attracted media attention in May 2024, when she filed for divorce from Sam Raimi after more than three decades of marriage. The couple have five children together.
As of October 2026, Gillian Greene is 58 years old. Her biography brings together two generations of Hollywood history, her independent filmmaking career, her family background, and developments in her marriage.
Quick Bio: Gillian Greene
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gillian Greene |
| Date of birth | January 6, 1968 |
| Age in 2026 | 58 years |
| Birthplace | Santa Monica, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Film director, producer, actress |
| Known for | Murder of a Cat, Fanboy |
| Father | Lorne Greene |
| Mother | Nancy Deale |
| Husband | Sam Raimi, divorce filed in 2024 |
| Marriage date | September 17, 1993 |
| Children | Five |
| Children’s names | Emma, Lorne, Henry, Oliver and Dashiell Raimi |
| Notable feature film | Murder of a Cat (2014) |
| Notable short film | Fanboy |
| Television appearances | Battlestar Galactica, Bonanza: The Next Generation |
| Zodiac sign | Capricorn |
| Net worth | Not independently verified |
| Marital status in 2026 | Divorce filed; final judgment not reliably confirmed |
Who Is Gillian Greene?
Gillian Greene is an American filmmaker with a background in acting and directing.
She grew up in a family deeply connected to television and film.
Her father, Lorne Greene, was famous for playing Ben Cartwright in Bonanza and Commander Adama in Battlestar Galactica.
Her mother, Nancy Deale, was also an actress.
These family connections introduced Gillian to professional filmmaking at an early age.
She eventually pursued acting before developing an interest in directing.
Her filmmaking work includes the short film Fanboy and the 2014 feature Murder of a Cat.
She married director Sam Raimi in 1993.
They raised five children together before Gillian filed for divorce in 2024.
Gillian Greene’s Early Life and Childhood
Gillian Greene was born on January 6, 1968, in Santa Monica, California.
She grew up in the Los Angeles area, surrounded by the entertainment industry.
Her father was already an established television star when she was born.
Through him, she gained exposure to film sets, actors, production crews, and the process of creating television programs.
Her childhood was therefore different from that of many aspiring filmmakers who encounter the entertainment industry only as adults.
However, being raised in a famous family did not automatically guarantee a successful directing career.
Gillian still had to develop her own creative interests and professional experience.
Growing Up Around Hollywood Productions
Gillian’s IMDb biography describes how spending time with her father on set helped introduce her to filmmaking.
Observing productions from an early age can provide insight into the collaboration required to create a film or television episode.
Directors work with actors, cinematographers, editors, producers, and other specialists.
Gillian’s later transition from acting to directing reflects her interest in more than one part of the production process.
How Old Is Gillian Greene in 2026?
Gillian Greene was born on January 6, 1968.
She celebrated her 58th birthday on January 6, 2026.
As of October 2026, she is 58 years old.
She will turn 59 on January 6, 2027.
Her birth date and birthplace are listed in professional film databases, including IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
Gillian Greene’s Parents
Gillian is the daughter of Lorne Greene and Nancy Deale.
Both parents worked in entertainment.
Her father became an internationally recognized television actor.
Her mother appeared in film and television productions.
Their careers gave Gillian a family background strongly associated with acting and storytelling.
Who Was Lorne Greene?
Lorne Greene was a Canadian actor, broadcaster, and singer.
He was born on February 12, 1915, in Ottawa, Ontario.
Before becoming famous as an actor, he worked in Canadian radio broadcasting.
He later developed a successful television career.
His most famous role was Ben Cartwright in the Western television series Bonanza.
The show became one of the most successful American television dramas of its era.
Lorne also portrayed Commander Adama in the original Battlestar Galactica.
He died on September 11, 1987, at the age of 72.
Gillian was 19 years old when her father died.
Who Was Nancy Deale?
Nancy Deale was an American actress.
She was born on May 23, 1933, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Her acting credits included Shadows, Bonanza, and Tattletales.
Nancy married Lorne Greene in December 1961.
They remained married until his death in 1987.
Nancy died on March 2, 2004.
Her acting career and marriage to Lorne Greene form another part of Gillian’s entertainment background.
Gillian Greene’s Siblings
Gillian has two older paternal half-siblings.
They are Charles Jeffrey Greene and Belinda Susan Greene.
They are children from Lorne Greene’s earlier marriage.
Gillian is the daughter of Lorne Greene and Nancy Deale.
Her siblings have generally maintained a less prominent public profile than their famous father.
Detailed information about their present personal lives is limited.
Gillian Greene’s Education
Gillian’s specific educational qualifications are not comprehensively documented in major professional biographies.
Some secondary websites discuss acting training and education in California.
However, exact schools, degrees, and graduation dates are not consistently verified.
Her early exposure to professional filmmaking is much more clearly established.
She learned about the entertainment industry through her family environment and later professional experiences.
Without dependable academic records, it would be misleading to assign her a particular university degree.
Gillian Greene’s Acting Career
Gillian began her entertainment career as an actress.
Her early credits connect her to television productions associated with her father’s career.
She appeared in Battlestar Galactica in 1979.
She later appeared in the television movie Bonanza: The Next Generation in 1988.
These roles came before her directing work.
Gillian Greene in Battlestar Galactica
Gillian appeared in the original Battlestar Galactica television series.
She played a character named Melanie.
Her appearance was in the episode Greetings from Earth.
The episode aired in 1979.
Her father, Lorne Greene, starred in the series as Commander Adama.
The credit provides a direct connection between Gillian’s early acting experience and her father’s professional work.
Gillian Greene in Bonanza: The Next Generation
In 1988, Gillian appeared in Bonanza: The Next Generation.
She played Jennifer Sills.
The television movie revisited the world of the original Bonanza series.
Her father had become famous through the original program.
However, Lorne Greene died in 1987, before the television movie’s release.
Gillian’s appearance helped connect the later production to the show’s entertainment legacy.
Gillian Greene’s Transition to Directing
Gillian eventually shifted her professional attention toward directing.
Directing allowed her to participate in the creative decisions behind a production.
Rather than focusing only on performing a character, she could help shape the film’s storytelling, performances, pacing, and visual presentation.
Her directing work began with the short film Fanboy.
She later directed the feature-length comedy mystery Murder of a Cat.
These projects helped establish her independent identity as a filmmaker.
Gillian Greene’s Film Fanboy
Fanboy is a short comedy film directed by Gillian Greene.
The project follows a young man from South Carolina who travels to Los Angeles after learning that his favorite filmmaker, Sam Raimi, is holding auditions.
The story draws on Hollywood fan culture and the experience of aspiring performers.
Sam Raimi appears in the project.
Two of Gillian and Sam’s children also participate.
Professional biographies describe the film as Gillian’s directorial debut, developed around 2010, although some film databases list its release as 2019.
Why Is Fanboy Important?
Fanboy is important because it represents Gillian’s early work as a director.
It also brings together her professional interests and family connections.
The film features performers associated with her later feature project.
Its subject allows the audience to see Hollywood through the perspective of an enthusiastic outsider.
The project demonstrates her interest in comedy and character-based storytelling.
Gillian Greene’s Murder of a Cat
Gillian Greene directed the 2014 film Murder of a Cat.
The movie is a comedy mystery involving a young man investigating the death of his pet cat.
Its unusual premise combines elements of detective fiction, dark comedy, and independent filmmaking.
The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2014.
It later received a limited theatrical release.
Murder of a Cat Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Fran Kranz | Clinton |
| Nikki Reed | Greta |
| J.K. Simmons | Sheriff Hoyle |
| Greg Kinnear | Ford |
| Blythe Danner | Edie |
| Dileep Rao | Supporting role |
| Leonardo Nam | Supporting role |
The cast included several established actors.
Fran Kranz played the central character.
J.K. Simmons, Greg Kinnear, and Blythe Danner brought additional experience to the production.
What Is Murder of a Cat About?
The film follows Clinton, an unusual young man who becomes determined to investigate the death of his cat.
As he searches for answers, he encounters suspicious characters and unexpected developments.
The movie uses a mystery structure while maintaining a comedic tone.
Its story focuses on an unlikely amateur detective rather than a conventional police investigator.
Did Murder of a Cat Receive Positive Reviews?
Murder of a Cat received mixed to negative reviews.
Rotten Tomatoes lists a relatively low critics’ score for the film.
However, critical reception is only one way to evaluate a filmmaker’s work.
The project remains significant because it was Gillian’s feature-length directing debut.
It also premiered at a recognized independent film festival.
Gillian Greene’s Filmography
| Year | Production | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Battlestar Galactica | Actress, Melanie |
| 1988 | Bonanza: The Next Generation | Actress, Jennifer Sills |
| 2014 | Murder of a Cat | Director |
| 2019, database listing | Fanboy | Director and story contributor |
| Pre-production listing | Save the Dragon | Executive producer |
The dating of Fanboy varies because professional biographies discuss its creation around 2010 while film databases use a later listing.
The table separates established released credits from projects listed in development.
Gillian Greene and Sam Raimi
Gillian Greene married filmmaker Sam Raimi on September 17, 1993.
Raimi was already recognized for his work in horror filmmaking.
His early career included The Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, and Darkman.
He later became internationally famous for directing the original Spider-Man trilogy starring Tobey Maguire.
Their marriage connected two families with extensive entertainment histories.
Gillian’s father was a classic television star.
Sam became a major filmmaker known for horror, fantasy, and superhero movies.
How Did Gillian Greene Meet Sam Raimi?
The exact circumstances of Gillian and Sam’s first meeting are not consistently documented in major interviews.
They developed a relationship before marrying in 1993.
Some secondary biographies offer detailed stories about their introduction.
However, those stories should not be presented as confirmed without reliable sourcing.
Their marriage date is firmly recorded in professional biographies.
Who Is Sam Raimi?
Sam Raimi is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and occasional actor.
He was born on October 23, 1959, in Royal Oak, Michigan.
He developed an interest in filmmaking at a young age.
His early work helped establish a distinctive directing style featuring energetic camera movement, horror imagery, humor, and imaginative visual effects.
He gained recognition with The Evil Dead in 1981.
He later directed several commercially successful films.
Sam Raimi’s Famous Movies
| Movie | Year | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| The Evil Dead | 1981 | Director |
| Evil Dead II | 1987 | Director |
| Darkman | 1990 | Director |
| Army of Darkness | 1992 | Director |
| The Quick and the Dead | 1995 | Director |
| A Simple Plan | 1998 | Director |
| Spider-Man | 2002 | Director |
| Spider-Man 2 | 2004 | Director |
| Spider-Man 3 | 2007 | Director |
| Drag Me to Hell | 2009 | Director |
| Oz the Great and Powerful | 2013 | Director |
| Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | 2022 | Director |
| Send Help | 2026 | Director |
These films demonstrate Raimi’s work across horror, crime, fantasy, and superhero genres.
Gillian Greene and Sam Raimi’s Children
Gillian and Sam have five children together.
Their names are Emma, Lorne, Henry, Oliver, and Dashiell Raimi.
Several of the children have appeared in entertainment projects.
However, their individual professional paths are different.
Emma Raimi
Emma Raimi is Gillian and Sam’s daughter.
She has appeared in projects associated with her father’s filmmaking career.
Emma is also connected to Sam Raimi’s 2026 film Send Help.
Her work reflects the family’s continued involvement in entertainment.
Lorne Raimi
Lorne Raimi is one of Gillian and Sam’s sons.
His first name shares a connection with Gillian’s father, Lorne Greene.
He has been credited with appearing as an extra in films directed by Sam Raimi.
Detailed information about his current professional activities is limited.
Henry Raimi
Henry Raimi is another of the couple’s sons.
He has appeared in films associated with his father’s career.
However, his present occupation and private personal circumstances are not comprehensively documented.
Oliver Raimi
Oliver Raimi is one of Gillian and Sam’s five children.
He has generally maintained a relatively private public profile.
Reliable information about his current career is limited.
Dashiell Raimi
Dashiell Raimi is also one of the couple’s children.
Like several members of the family, he has been associated with Hollywood through his parents.
However, detailed public information about his independent professional life remains limited.
Gillian Greene’s Children in Spider-Man 3
Several of Gillian and Sam’s children appeared as extras in Spider-Man 3.
The film was released in 2007.
It starred Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker.
The children’s appearances were minor rather than leading roles.
Their participation demonstrates how members of the Raimi family occasionally became involved in film productions.
Gillian Greene and Sam Raimi’s Divorce Filing
In May 2024, Gillian Greene filed for divorce from Sam Raimi.
The filing came after more than thirty years of marriage.
Public reporting identified irreconcilable differences as the reason cited in the petition.
The news attracted attention because Raimi was a well-known Hollywood filmmaker and the couple had been married since 1993.
However, a divorce filing is not the same as a finalized divorce.
When Did Gillian Greene File for Divorce?
Gillian filed for divorce on May 8, 2024.
At the time, the couple had been married for approximately thirty years and eight months.
Their five children were already adults or older teenagers, according to public coverage of the filing.
The petition concerned the legal end of the marriage and associated financial matters.
Why Did Gillian Greene and Sam Raimi Separate?
Gillian’s divorce filing cited irreconcilable differences.
This is a common legal description used in divorce proceedings.
It does not provide a detailed public explanation of the couple’s private disagreements.
There is no reliable basis for assigning blame or inventing personal circumstances.
Did Gillian Greene and Sam Raimi Divorce in 2026?
Public reporting confirms that Gillian filed for divorce in May 2024.
Additional reporting in 2026 discussed disagreements over the separation timeline.
Some reports stated that Sam Raimi identified April 2016 as the date of separation in later court documents.
However, a final divorce judgment has not been reliably confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Therefore, it is more accurate to describe the divorce as filed rather than conclusively finalized.
Gillian Greene’s Life After the Divorce Filing
Following the 2024 filing, Gillian remained relatively private.
She did not become a frequent television commentator discussing her marriage.
Her established professional identity continues to be connected to directing and producing.
However, there is limited verified information about new films she may be developing.
Her future professional plans should not be assumed from the divorce proceedings.
Gillian Greene’s Relationship With Her Father
Gillian’s father, Lorne Greene, was one of the most recognizable actors in classic American television.
His performances introduced him to audiences across several generations.
Gillian’s early experiences on film sets helped shape her understanding of the entertainment industry.
She later pursued acting and directing herself.
This makes her career part of a broader family history of screen storytelling.
Gillian Greene’s Net Worth
Gillian Greene’s individual net worth has not been independently verified.
Her professional credits include acting, directing, and producing.
She was also married for decades to a commercially successful filmmaker.
However, her former partner’s or spouse’s financial success does not establish her personal assets.
Some celebrity websites publish estimates without clear documentation.
Those figures should not be presented as confirmed.
Any financial outcomes associated with divorce proceedings would require reliable court records or authoritative reporting before being stated.
Where Is Gillian Greene Now?
As of October 2026, Gillian Greene remains publicly known as a filmmaker and member of a prominent entertainment family.
Her most recognizable directing credit is Murder of a Cat.
Her personal life received renewed attention because of the divorce filing.
However, her exact current residence and daily activities are not extensively documented.
She has generally maintained a more private public profile than Sam Raimi.
Gillian Greene’s Social Media Presence
There is no widely established, authenticated public social media account that can confidently be identified as Gillian Greene’s principal official profile.
Some accounts may use similar names.
Those accounts should not automatically be attributed to the filmmaker.
Her professional work is more reliably documented through film databases, festival records, and entertainment reporting.
Why Is Gillian Greene Famous?
Gillian Greene is known for several reasons.
She is the daughter of actor Lorne Greene and actress Nancy Deale.
She appeared in television productions associated with classic entertainment franchises.
She directed the films Fanboy and Murder of a Cat.
She also married filmmaker Sam Raimi and raised five children with him.
Her divorce filing in 2024 brought renewed attention to her personal life.
However, her filmmaking achievements deserve recognition independently of her marriage.
Gillian Greene’s Life Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Born on January 6 in Santa Monica, California |
| 1979 | Appeared in Battlestar Galactica |
| 1987 | Father Lorne Greene died |
| 1988 | Appeared in Bonanza: The Next Generation |
| 1993 | Married Sam Raimi on September 17 |
| 2004 | Mother Nancy Deale died |
| Around 2010 | Developed and directed Fanboy |
| 2014 | Directed Murder of a Cat, which premiered at Tribeca |
| 2019 | Fanboy appears with this year in film databases |
| 2024 | Filed for divorce from Sam Raimi |
| 2026 | Divorce proceedings discussed in additional reporting; final status not reliably confirmed |
Interesting Facts About Gillian Greene
- Gillian Greene was born on January 6, 1968.
- She is 58 years old in October 2026.
- She was born in Santa Monica, California.
- Her father was Bonanza star Lorne Greene.
- Her mother was actress Nancy Deale.
- She appeared in the original Battlestar Galactica series.
- She appeared in Bonanza: The Next Generation in 1988.
- She directed the short film Fanboy.
- She directed the 2014 feature film Murder of a Cat.
- Murder of a Cat premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
- She married Sam Raimi in September 1993.
- She and Raimi have five children.
- Some of their children appeared in Spider-Man 3.
- She filed for divorce in May 2024.
- Her individual net worth is not independently verified.
- She has maintained a relatively private life despite her Hollywood connections.
Final Thoughts
Gillian Greene is an American director, producer, and actress whose life connects classic television and modern Hollywood filmmaking.
Born in 1968, she grew up as the daughter of Lorne Greene and Nancy Deale.
Her early exposure to film sets introduced her to the entertainment industry.
She later appeared in Battlestar Galactica and Bonanza: The Next Generation before moving into directing.
Her filmmaking credits include Fanboy and Murder of a Cat.
She married Sam Raimi in 1993, and the couple raised five children together.
In May 2024, Gillian filed for divorce after more than thirty years of marriage.
Although that development brought renewed attention to her personal life, her professional work remains an important part of her biography.
Gillian Greene’s story is not simply about being related to famous filmmakers and actors. It is also about developing her own creative identity within an industry that has been part of her family for generations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gillian Greene
1. Who is Gillian Greene?
Gillian Greene is an American film director, producer, and actress known for Murder of a Cat and Fanboy.
2. How old is Gillian Greene in 2026?
She is 58 years old.
3. When was Gillian Greene born?
She was born on January 6, 1968.
4. Where was Gillian Greene born?
She was born in Santa Monica, California.
5. Who is Gillian Greene’s father?
Her father was actor Lorne Greene, famous for Bonanza and Battlestar Galactica.
6. Who is Gillian Greene’s mother?
Her mother was actress Nancy Deale.
7. Is Gillian Greene married to Sam Raimi?
They married in 1993, but Gillian filed for divorce in May 2024. A final divorce judgment has not been reliably confirmed.
8. When did Gillian Greene marry Sam Raimi?
They married on September 17, 1993.
9. Why did Gillian Greene file for divorce?
Her petition cited irreconcilable differences.
10. How many children does Gillian Greene have?
She has five children with Sam Raimi.
11. What are Gillian Greene’s children’s names?
Their names are Emma, Lorne, Henry, Oliver, and Dashiell Raimi.
12. Is Gillian Greene a film director?
Yes. She directed Fanboy and Murder of a Cat.
13. What is Murder of a Cat?
It is a 2014 comedy mystery film directed by Gillian Greene.
14. Did Gillian Greene act in Battlestar Galactica?
Yes. She played Melanie in an episode of the original series in 1979.
15. Was Gillian Greene in Bonanza?
She appeared in the 1988 television movie Bonanza: The Next Generation.
16. What is Gillian Greene’s net worth?
Her individual net worth has not been independently verified.
17. Is Gillian Greene related to Ted Raimi?
Ted Raimi is Sam Raimi’s brother, making him Gillian’s brother-in-law through her marriage.
18. Why is Gillian Greene famous?
She is known for her directing career, her parents Lorne Greene and Nancy Deale, and her marriage to Sam Raimi.
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