Biography
Juno Rinaldi (née Ruddell) was raised on Salt Spring Island, located on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada. As the eldest of three children, with a mother who was an early educator and a father who was a composer and writer, Juno began her career working alongside her dad on National Film Board films. She soon took part in numerous school plays, establishing her passion for the arts early on. A grade 7 report card noted that a career in the performing arts would not be surprising for her.
During her senior year at Gulf Islands Secondary School, Juno caught the eye of acclaimed Canadian film director Anne Wheeler while playing Wendy Darling in a production of Peter Pan. Impressed, Anne invited her to audition for the feature film The War Between Us. Despite having no formal training and limited film experience, Juno won over the producing team and network, securing the role of Marg Parnum. She spent her first term of Grade 12 filming on location in New Denver, BC.
After high school, Juno enrolled in the prestigious theatre program Studio 58 at Langara College, graduating with honors in 1999.
Following theatre school, Juno performed in theatre productions across Vancouver and Canada. Notable roles include a cross-Canada tour of Studies in Motion with The Electric Company Theatre, choreographed by renowned choreographer Crystal Pite; Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Caravan Farm Theatre in Armstrong, BC; Motherload, a collaborative piece with three other actors and writers about motherhood; and Stationary, a two-hander written by and starring Juno alongside her husband Mike Rinaldi, set entirely on two treadmills.
Juno has a strong background in collaboration and writing. Alongside her theatre colleagues, she helped form Theatre Melee, a dark comedic theatre troupe that produced several successful shows and remains a career highlight for her.
While continuing to act in theatre and produce indie shows in Vancouver, Juno also auditioned for and booked small roles in film and television. Her most prominent role to date is portraying the lovable mess on CBC/Netflix’s hit series Workin’ Moms.
Juno wrote, produced, and starred in the award-winning short film Such a Small Thing, which now has a permanent home on CBC Gem.
In spring 2019, Juno was invited to host the International Program Competition at the Banff World Media Festival. She not only hosted the awards but was also a featured guest at the International Rockie Awards Gala, where she proudly presented the Award of Excellence to Paul Feig (known for Freaks and Geeks, Bridesmaids, Spy).
Juno was named after the title character in Sean O’Casey’s play Juno and the Paycock. Her parents saw a local production while expecting her and were inspired by the character Juno Boyle.
She is married to writer and actor Michael Rinaldi, and together they have two sons.
