Lisa Ray is not just a name in Indian cinema. She is a symbol of grace, resilience, and talent. From her early modeling days to her powerful roles in international films, Lisa Ray has carved a unique space in the entertainment world.
This blog post explores her life, career, and the many facets that make her a celebrated Canadian actress and model.
Early Life and Upbringing
Lisa Rani Ray was born on April 4, 1972, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She comes from a multicultural background. Her father is a Bengali Hindu from India, and her mother is a Polish Catholic.
- She grew up in Etobicoke, a suburb of Toronto.
- Lisa spent part of her childhood in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India.
- She was academically gifted and completed five years of high school in just four years.
- She attended multiple schools:
- Etobicoke Collegiate Institute
- Richview Collegiate Institute
- Silverthorn Collegiate Institute
Lisa was deeply influenced by her father’s love for cinema. She watched films by Satyajit Ray and Federico Fellini, which shaped her artistic sensibilities.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lisa Rani Ray |
| Nickname | Lisa |
| Alternative Names(s) | Lisa Ray |
| Date of Birth | 4 April 1972 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 52 years |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Birthplace | Toronto, Canada |
| Hometown | Etobicoke, Toronto |
| Current Address | Toronto, Canada |
| Education Qualification | Postgraduate Acting |
| Hobbies and Interests | Yoga, Writing, Philanthropy, Music, Reading |
| Languages Known | English, Polish, Bengali |
| Social Media Profiles link | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Lisa Ray – Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile link | Lisa Ray – IMDb |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim build |
| Measurements | 36-27-35 in |
| Height | 5’6″, 168 cm |
| Weight | 126 lbs, 57 kg |
| Chest | 36 in |
| Waist | 27 in |
| Biceps | N/A |
| Eye Colour | Hazel green |
| Hair Colour | Dark brown |
| Hairstyle | Shoulder-length waves |
| Distinctive Features | Scar on chest |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Lisa Ray’s personal life reflects her strength and openness.
Lisa has spoken openly about her relationships and heartbreaks. She was previously linked to several personalities but found lasting love with Jason. Her journey to motherhood through surrogacy was a bold and empowering choice.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Husband | Jason Dehni |
| Father | L.K. Dutta |
| Mother | Jennifer Dutta |
| Children | Soleil, Sufi |
| Siblings | N/A |
| Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | Vishesh Uppal, Paolo Zambaldi, Brett Wilson |
| Significant Relationships | Jason Dehni |
Rise to Stardom
Lisa Ray’s entry into the entertainment industry was serendipitous.
- She was discovered during a family vacation in India.
- Her first public appearance was in a Bombay Dyeing advertisement opposite Karan Kapoor.
- She gained national fame after appearing on the cover of Gladrags magazine in a red swimsuit.
- Her acting debut was a special appearance in Hanste Khelte (1994).
- Her first lead role came in Kasoor (2001), a Hindi thriller.
Lisa’s performance in Kasoor was well-received, even though her voice was dubbed. She later starred in Bollywood/Hollywood (2002) and the critically acclaimed Water (2005).
Lisa Ray – Selfie
Lisa Ray – Debut Film – Hanste Khelte
Lisa Ray – Successful Film – Kasoor
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Lisa Ray’s career spans modeling, films, television, and writing.
- Hosted Star Biz on Star Movies.
- Appeared in Afreen Afreen, a music video by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
- Studied acting in London and earned a postgraduate degree from ALRA.
- Starred in international films like:
- The World Unseen
- I Can’t Think Straight
- Cooking with Stella
- Defendor
- Star of the Future – Toronto International Film Festival (2002)
- Best Actress – Vancouver Critics Circle for Water
- Diamond Jubilee Medal – Canada (2013)
- Anokhi Prestige Award – Canadian Actor of the Decade (2013)
- Medscape Award – Most Inspirational Fighter (2015)
- Named one of Canada’s 50 Most Beautiful Stars by Hello Magazine (2009)
Lisa also hosted Top Chef Canada and appeared in the Amazon Prime series Four More Shots
| Career Details | Inofrmation |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actress, Model |
| Debut Film | Hanste Khelte |
| Notable Roles | Water, Kasoor, Bollywood/Hollywood, I Can’t Think Straight, The World Unseen |
| Recent Films – New Movies | 99 Songs, Dobaara, Veerappan, Naam |
| Upcoming Films | R Culture |
| Popular Television Series | Four More Shots Please!, Top Chef Canada, Endgame, Psych, Murdoch Mysteries |
| Awards and Achievements | Diamond Jubilee Medal, VFCC Best Actress, TIFF Star of the Future, Anokhi Prestige Award, Medscape Inspirational Fighter |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Rado, Pantene, Satya Paul, Insight Vacations, HDFC Cancer Care |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Cancer Awareness, Stem Cell Advocacy, Plan Canada, Artbound, GIRL 20 Summit |
| Professional Associations | Discovery India, Food Network Canada |
| Training and Education | ALRA London, Central School of Speech and Drama |
| Production Company | N/A |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Kasoor, Veerappan, Bollywood/Hollywood |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Water, The World Unseen, I Can’t Think Straight |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $20 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | $1–2 million |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | $5K–10K3 |
| Sponsorship Deals | Rado Watches, Pantene, Insight Vacations, HDFC Cancer Care |
| Business Ventures | The UpsideSpace (digital art platform), Jasmine of India (fragrance)4 |
| Investments | Real estate, digital art, wellness ventures5 |
| Real Estate Holdings | Bandra apartment, Dubai villa, Toronto residence5 |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Robben Island jewelry, bespoke linens, designer sarees4 |
| Cars Collection | Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, Toyota Prius |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Amitabh Bachchan |
| Favorite Actress | Rani Mukerji |
| Favorite Film | Water |
| Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
| Favorite Sport | Ice hockey |
| Favorite Books | Close to the Bone, Midnight’s Children, Educated, The Far Field, The Twice-Born |
| Favorite Colour | Yellow |
| Favorite Food | Smoothies, Salads, Kerala Sadya |
| Things s/he like | Yoga, Philanthropy, Reading, Writing, Pilates |
| Things s/he dislike | Processed food, Intense cardio, Toxic habits |
Top 5 Best Films – Lisa Ray
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Kasoor | 2001 | Simran Bhargav |
| Water | 2005 | Kalyani |
| Bollywood/Hollywood | 2002 | Sunita Singh (Sue) |
| I Can’t Think Straight | 2008 | Tala |
| The World Unseen | 2007 | Miriam |
Controversies – Lisa Ray
- Rumored relationship with Sanjay Dutt, which she denied and left India to escape media attention.
- Dropped out of the film Dus (2005) amid rumors of personal issues.
- Faced criticism for appearing in bold scenes in international films.
- Publicly revealed her cancer diagnosis at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2009.
- In 2025, criticized Air India for denying a medical waiver for her father’s travel.
Interesting Facts – Lisa Ray
- Lisa Ray was named the 9th most beautiful woman of the millennium by Times of India.
- She started a blog called The Yellow Diaries to document her cancer journey.
- She is a wellness advocate and practices yoga and meditation.
- Lisa Ray is also a published poet and shares her work on Instagram.
- She completed her postgraduate acting degree from ALRA in London.
- She calls herself a “cancer graduate”, inspiring millions with her story.
She calls herself a “cancer graduate”, inspiring millions with her story.
Lisa Ray’s life is a story of courage, creativity, and compassion. She is more than just an Indian film actress or a model. She is a fighter, a mother, and a voice for change. Her journey from advertisements to international cinema, from illness to advocacy, continues to inspire fans across the globe.
