Born Gabrielle Charlotte Reju, Gabrielle Rejane was born in 1856, to a retired actor and his wife, who was the manager of the buffet at the Theater Ambigu. Gabrielle grew up in the theater and was permitted to watch the plays, often being admitted into the dressing rooms of the performers. She developed a great love of the theater and many times, she would mimic stage performances she had seen for her mother.

After the war in 1870, Gabrielle was sent to a boarding school to complete her education. When she graduated, for a short time she taught grade school but she dreamed of being an actress. This led to many arguments with her mother who was greatly in favor of her leading the life of a schoolteacher.

Eventually she won the arguments with her mother, and through her mother's contacts, an interview was arranged the legendary and recently retired actor Regnier. He, too, tried to dissuade her, but in the end he consented to take her on for two months, as long as she promised to give up her aspirations to be an actress if, at the end of that time, he told her she was not made for it. Before the time was up however, it was abundantly clear that Gabrielle was made for it so Regnier won a scholarship for her at the Conservatoire under his tutelage.

On graduation, she won second prize in drama which evoked a great denunciation with the foremost Parisian drama critic, Francisque Sarcey, who felt she had been overlooked for the top award. With this publicity, she secured her first engagement at the Vaudeville Theater. Gabrielle remained there for several years developing her talent.

In 1882, Gabrielle signed a three year contract with the Varieties. It wasn't long before the name of Rejane was known across Paris. She had so many offers to perform, she had to choose which ones she would play. Her biggest success was in 1893 when she played the lead role in Sardou's Napoleonic comedy "Madame Sans-Gene". She then embarked on foreign tours, taking "Madame sans Gene" first to New York and then to London. She was rapturously received, establishing her as an undoubted international star.

In 1893, she also married Monsieur Porel, a director of the Vaudeville Theater. The marriage brought two children, a daughter Germaine, and son Jacques. It was troubled, however, by her husbands' wandering eye. In 1903 Gabrielle began divorce proceedings against Porel, and he fought back, suing over contract violations he had given her in 1895, making it difficult for her to find work in Paris. She responded by renting her own theater, Le Theatre Rejane, staging her own productions.

She continued to appear regularly on stage until her retirement in 1915. In 1920, in recognition of her career, she was made a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour. Later that year she became ill, and died from a heart attack.

Gabrielle Rejane achieved success through determination and talent. She lit up the room with bright remarks and charming wit. She will always be remembered for her contributions to the theater.