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Entertainment • Actor

Taissa Farmiga

Taissa Farmiga is an American actress known for her roles in the anthology series *American Horror Story* and in horror films such as *The Nun* and *The Nun II*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Taissa Farmiga is an American actress known for her roles in the anthology series *American Horror Story* and in horror films such as *The Nun* and *The Nun II*. She made her film debut in *Higher Ground* (2011), directed by her sister Vera Farmiga. She later expanded into film, television, and voice work.

Early life

Taissa Farmiga was born in Readington, New Jersey, and is the younger sister of actress Vera Farmiga. Sources indicate she was encouraged to act by her sister before starting her career.

Acting career

Farmiga made her acting debut in *Higher Ground* (2011), Vera Farmiga’s directorial debut. She gained wider recognition through *American Horror Story*, including the seasons *Murder House*, *Coven*, *Roanoke*, and *Apocalypse*. Her early film credits include *The Bling Ring* and *Mindscape*, both released in 2013.

Horror roles

Farmiga became closely associated with horror through recurring appearances in *American Horror Story* and lead roles in *The Nun* franchise. She played Sister Irene in *The Nun* and reprised the role in *The Nun II*.

Later work

Her later credits include *The Gilded Age* and the film *She Taught Love*, showing a broader range beyond horror. In 2022, she began appearing in HBO’s *The Gilded Age* as Gladys Russell.

Key facts

  • Taissa Farmiga made her acting debut in *Higher Ground* (2011), Vera Farmiga’s directorial debut.
  • She gained wider recognition through *American Horror Story*, including the seasons *Murder House*, *Coven*, *Roanoke*, and *Apocalypse*.
  • Her early film credits include *The Bling Ring* and *Mindscape*, both released in 2013.
  • She played Sister Irene in *The Nun* and reprised the role in *The Nun II*.
  • In 2022, she began appearing in HBO’s *The Gilded Age* as Gladys Russell.
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Canadian context

Taissa Farmiga is relevant to Canadian readers mainly through internationally distributed film and television releases, including the *American Horror Story* franchise and *The Nun* films, which have had broad North American audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Taissa Farmiga?
Taissa Farmiga is an American actress best known for *American Horror Story* and the *The Nun* films.
When was Taissa Farmiga born?
She was born on August 17, 1994.
Where is Taissa Farmiga from?
She is from Readington, New Jersey, in the United States.
What was Taissa Farmiga’s first film role?
Her film debut was *Higher Ground* (2011).
What is Taissa Farmiga best known for?
She is best known for *American Horror Story* and for playing Sister Irene in *The Nun* and *The Nun II*.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taissa_Farmiga
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, debut role, American Horror Story credits, The Gilded Age, The Nun II, and She Taught Love.
  2. Tribute.ca — https://www.tribute.ca/people/biography/taissa-farmiga/42957/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, family background, homeschooling, and debut in Higher Ground.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3920288/
    Supports: Filmography, birthplace, family relation to Vera Farmiga, and career credits.