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Lauren Ambrose

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Lauren Ambrose
Ambrose in 2000
Born(1978-02-20)February 20, 1978(age 46)
New Haven, Connecticut,U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1990–present
Spouse
Sam Handel
​
(m.2001)​
Children2

Lauren Ambrose(born February 20, 1978) is an American actress.

Ambrose gained recognition and critical acclaim for her starring role asClaire Fisherin theHBOdrama seriesSix Feet Under(2001–2005), for which she was nominated for twoPrimetime Emmy Awardsand won twoScreen Actors Guild Awards.She went on to star asJilly Kitzingerin theBBC Onescience fiction seriesTorchwood: Miracle Day(2011), Dorothy Turner in theApple TV+psychological horror seriesServant(2019–2023), and as the adult version of Vanessa "Van" Palmer in theShowtimedrama thriller seriesYellowjackets(2023–present).

Her film credits includeIn & Out(1997),Can't Hardly Wait(1998),Psycho Beach Party(2000),Where the Wild Things Are(2009), andThe Other Woman(2009). Ambrose played the title role inLoving Leah,a 2009 Hallmark film. Other credits includeAbout Sunny(2011),Sleepwalk with Me(2012), andWanderlust(2012).

Ambrose's stage credits includeBuried Child(2004),Awake and Sing!(2006), andExit the King(2009). She portrayed the lead role ofEliza Doolittlein the 2018Lincoln Center Theaterrevival ofMy Fair LadyonBroadway,for which she garnered aTony Awardnomination and aGrammy Award,as well as anOuter Critics Circle Award.She is lead singer of theragtimeband Lauren Ambrose and the Leisure Class.[1]

Early life

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Lauren Ambrose was born inNew Haven, Connecticut,on February 20, 1978.[2]She is the daughter of Frank D'Ambruoso, a caterer, and Anne (née Wachtel), an interior designer. She is ofItaliandescent on her father's side,[3]and German, English, and Irish on her mother's side. Ambrose attendedChoate Rosemary Hall,Wilbur Cross High School,High School in the Community, and theACES Educational Center for the Artsin New Haven as part of the class of 1996.[4]She is also a trainedoperasinger who studied voice and opera at theBoston University Tanglewood Institutein the summers of 1994 and 1995.[5][6]

Career

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1990–1998: Career beginnings

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Ambrose began her career in New York theater, starring in theOff-BroadwayplaySoulful Scream of a Chosen Sonat theVineyard Theatrefrom August to September 1990.[7][8]Her early career also included television appearances, most notably playing supporting guest roles in theNBCcrime drama seriesLaw & Order,and a feature guest role on the show in the 1998 episode "Damaged" as Valerie Maxwell, an intellectually disabled young woman raped by a group of popular high school students. Her first film role was as Vicky Rayburn in the comedyIn & Out(1997).[9]She went on to have a prominent role as Denise Fleming in the high school comedy filmCan't Hardly Wait(1998).

1999–2005: Breakthrough andSix Feet Under

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In 1999, Ambrose had a recurring role as Myra Wringler in five episodes of theFoxteen dramaParty of Five.She played theingenuelead, Florence "Chicklet" Forrest, in the horror comedyPsycho Beach Party(2000). The same year, she starred as Frankie Wheeler in the coming-of-age drama filmSwimming.

Ambrose gained wider recognition and critical acclaim for her starring role asClaire Fisherin theHBOdrama seriesSix Feet Under(2001–2005). For her performance, she was nominated for twoPrimetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Seriesand aTeen Choice Award for Choice TV Drama Actress.She also won theScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Seriestwice, from five nominations as a part of the ensemble cast.

In 2004, she starred as Shelly in theRoyal National Theatreproduction of the playBuried Child.

2006–2017: Broadway debut

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In 2006, Ambrose made herBroadwaydebut in theLincoln Center Theaterrevival production ofAwake and Sing!at theBelasco Theatre.She went on to appear in the drama filmsDiggers(2006) andStarting Out in the Evening(2007).

In 2007, she starred asJulietin thePublic Theater'sShakespeare in the Parkperformance ofRomeo and Julietat theDelacorte TheaterinCentral Park.She also appeared asOpheliain the 2008 performance ofHamletfor Shakespeare in the Park.[10]

In 2008, she had a starring role as Coco Tompkins in the Fox comedy seriesThe Return of Jezebel James,which was created byAmy Sherman-Palladino.The series was cancelled after one season.[11]

Ambrose returned to Broadway in the 2009 revival ofEugène Ionesco'sExit the Kingat theEthel Barrymore Theatre,oppositeGeoffrey RushandSusan Sarandon.Also in 2009, she starred in numerous films, such as the comedy-dramasA Dog YearandCold Souls,and the romance dramasThe Other WomanandLoving Leah.Additionally, she provided the voice of the monster KW inSpike Jonze's fantasy drama filmWhere the Wild Things Are.

Ambrose is the lead singer of Lauren Ambrose and the Leisure Class, a ragtime dixieland jazz band formed in 2009. They have performed several times atJoe's Puband charity events.[12]

In 2011, Ambrose appeared in seven episodes of theBBC Onescience fiction seriesTorchwood: Miracle Day.She playedJilly Kitzinger,a "sweet-talking PR genius with a heart of stone who's just cornered the most important client of her career and maybe of all time".[13]For her performance, she received aSaturn Awardnomination forBest Supporting Actress on Television.[14]

Ambrose produced and starred in the drama filmAbout Sunny(2011), which premiered at theToronto International Film Festival.For her performance, she was nominated for theIndependent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.In 2012, she appeared in the comedy filmsSleepwalk with Me,Wanderlust,andGrassroots.She was set to playFanny Bricein a 2012 Broadway revival ofFunny Girl,directed byBartlett Sher,but the production was indefinitely postponed due to financial concerns.[15]

Ambrose made numerous TV appearances, including roles in theA&EminiseriesComa(2012), theAdult Swimanimated seriesRobot Chicken(2013), the NBC crime drama seriesLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit(2013), theLifetimetelevision filmDeliverance Creek(2014), and theUSA NetworkminiseriesDig(2015). From 2016 to 2018, she had a recurring role as Special Agent Liz Einstein in the Fox science fiction drama seriesThe X-Files.

2018–present: Broadway return andServant

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In March 2018, Ambrose began a leading role asEliza Doolittlein the Broadway revival ofMy Fair Ladyat theVivian Beaumont Theatre,directed by Bartlett Sher.[16][17]For her performance, she received critical acclaim and was nominated for theTony Award for Best Actress in a Musicaland theGrammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.She also won theOuter Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.

In October 2018, Ambrose leftMy Fair Ladyto take on the lead role as Dorothy Turner in the psychological horror seriesServant,which was produced byM. Night ShyamalanandTony BasgallopforApple TV+.[18]The series premiered in November 2019 and ended after four seasons in March 2023.[19][20]For her performance in the series, she garnered a nomination for theCritics' Choice Super Award for Best Actress in a Horror Series.

Ambrose has also narrated various audiobooks,[21]most recentlyThe Maidby Nita Prose in 2022.

In 2023, Ambrose began starring in theShowtimedrama thriller seriesYellowjackets,portraying the adult version of the character Vanessa "Van" Palmer.[22]

Personal life

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Ambrose has been married to professional writer Sam Handel since September 2001. They have two children.[23][24][25][26]

Filmography

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Film

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List of Lauren Ambrose film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1997 In & Out Vicky Rayburn
1998 Can't Hardly Wait Denise Fleming
Summertime's Calling Me[citation needed] Tami Short film
2000 Swimming Frankie Wheeler
Psycho Beach Party Florence "Chicklet" Forrest
2004 Admissions[citation needed] Evie Brighton
2006 Diggers Zoey
2007 Starting Out in the Evening Heather Wolfe
2009 A Dog Year Emma
Cold Souls Stephanie
Where the Wild Things Are KW (voice)
The Other Woman Mindy
2011 I'm Coming Over[citation needed] Greta Short film
About Sunny Angela Also producer
2012 Sleepwalk with Me Abby
Wanderlust Almond Cohen
Grassroots Emily Bowen
2013 The River[citation needed] Maria Short film
2018 Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People[citation needed] Kate Davis
2024 Caddo Lake† TBA [27]
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

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List of Lauren Ambrose television credits
Year Title Role Notes
1992 Law & Order Jessica Episode: "Skin Deep"
1993 Law & Order Maureen McKinnon Episode: "Pride and Joy"
1995 The State Audience Member Episode: "3.10"
1998 Law & Order Valerie Maxwell Episode: "Damaged"
1999 Party of Five Myra Wringler 5 episodes
2001–2005 Six Feet Under Claire Fisher Main role
2008 The Return of Jezebel James Coco Tompkins Main role
2009 Loving Leah Leah Lever Television film
2011 Torchwood: Miracle Day Jilly Kitzinger 7 episodes
Weekends at Bellevue Ellie Harlow Pilot
2012 Coma Susan Wheeler 2 episodes
2013 Robot Chicken Anita Radcliffe / Natasha Fatale (voices) Episode: "Papercut to Aorta"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Vanessa Mayer 2 episodes
2014 Deliverance Creek Belle Gatlin Barlow Television film
2015 Dig Debbie Morgan Main role
Broad Squad Eileen Pilot
2016–2018 The X-Files Special Agent Liz Einstein 3 episodes
2016 The Interestings Jules Jacobson Pilot
2017 Monsters of God Cynthia Lancaster Pilot
2019–2023 Servant Dorothy Turner Main role
2023–present Yellowjackets adult Vanessa "Van" Palmer Main role

Video games

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List of Lauren Ambrose video game credits
Year Title Voice role Notes
2007 The Darkness Jenny Romano

Stage

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List of Lauren Ambrose stage credits
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Buried Child Shelly Royal National Theatre
2006 Awake and Sing! Hennie Berger Belasco Theatre
2007 Romeo and Juliet Juliet Delacorte Theatre
2008 Hamlet Ophelia Delacorte Theatre
2009 Exit the King Queen Marie Ethel Barrymore Theatre
2018 My Fair Lady Eliza Doolittle Vivian Beaumont Theatre

Awards and nominations

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List of awards and nominations received by Lauren Ambrose
Year Association Category Work Result Ref.
2002 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Six Feet Under Nominated [28]
2002 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated [29]
2002 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Drama Actress Nominated [30]
2003 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [28]
2003 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Won [31]
2004 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Won [32]
2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated [33]
2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated [34]
2009 Satellite Awards Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Loving Leah Nominated [35]
2012 Independent Spirit Awards Best Female Lead Think of Me Nominated [36]
2012 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on Television Torchwood: Miracle Day Nominated [37]
2018 Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical My Fair Lady Nominated [38]
2018 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [39]
2018 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Won [40]
2019 Grammy Award Best Musical Theater Album Nominated [41]
2021 SEC Awards Best Actress in a Thriller Series Servant Nominated [42]
2022 Critics' Choice Super Award Best Actress in a Horror Series Nominated [43]
2023 Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Drama Series Yellowjackets Nominated [44]

References

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  1. ^"Can Lauren Ambrose Sing? A Look at the Future Funny Girl Star's Musical Background".Broadway.Archivedfrom the original on April 28, 2019.RetrievedJanuary 18,2019.
  2. ^"Celebrity birthdays for the week of Feb. 19–25".Associated Press.February 13, 2023.RetrievedMay 21,2023.
  3. ^Ambrose, Lauren (June 4, 2003)."Interview: Six Feet Under's Lauren Ambrose".Windy City Times(Interview). Interviewed by David R. Guarino.Archivedfrom the original on March 12, 2005.RetrievedJune 23,2016.
  4. ^Zahn, Brian (November 8, 2018)."Broadway star returns to New Haven arts magnet school for student workshop".New Haven Register.Archivedfrom the original on October 1, 2019.RetrievedOctober 1,2019.
  5. ^"Stars On Stage – Lauren Ambrose | NewYorkTheaterGuide".New York Theatre.Archivedfrom the original on August 5, 2020.RetrievedAugust 1,2020.
  6. ^Fanto, Clarence (August 9, 2016)."BUTI celebrates 50 years".The Berkshire Eagle.RetrievedMarch 8,2024.
  7. ^"Soulful Scream of a Chosen Son Lab | Written by Ned Eisenberg".Vineyard Theatre.February 21, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon April 26, 2020.RetrievedAugust 1,2020.
  8. ^"Lauren Ambrose – Theatre Profile".About The Artists.RetrievedAugust 1,2020.
  9. ^"Lauren Ambrose, Where the Wild Things Are Interview".Girl.Archivedfrom the original on August 1, 2020.RetrievedAugust 1,2020.
  10. ^Public Theater – Shakespeare in the ParkArchivedMay 9, 2008, at theWayback Machine
  11. ^Ausiello, Michael (March 24, 2008)."Exclusive: Fox Cuts Short Sherman-Palladino's Return".TV Guide.Archived fromthe originalon March 29, 2008.
  12. ^Schulman, Michael (November 13, 2009)."Lauren Ambrose's Jazz Habit".The New Yorker.Archivedfrom the original on December 17, 2011.RetrievedMarch 31,2014.
  13. ^Hibberd, James."'Six Feet Under' star Lauren Ambrose joins 'Torchwood' – EXCLUSIVE ".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on January 15, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 14,2011.
  14. ^Goldberg, Matt (February 29, 2012)."Saturn Award Nominations Announced; HUGO and HARRY POTTER Lead with 10 Nominations Each".Collider.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2013.RetrievedMarch 1,2012.
  15. ^Gans, Andrew (November 3, 2011)."Los Angeles and Broadway Engagements of Funny Girl Postponed".Playbill.Archived fromthe originalon November 4, 2011.
  16. ^Fierberg, Ruthie; Hetrick, Adam."Read Reviews for Broadway's Latest Revival of 'My Fair Lady', Starring Lauren Ambrose"ArchivedJune 27, 2018, at theWayback MachinePlaybill, April 19, 2018
  17. ^Deb, Sopan (October 5, 2017)."Lauren Ambrose to Star in 'My Fair Lady' on Broadway".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2017.RetrievedOctober 8,2017.
  18. ^Evans, Greg (August 23, 2018)."Laura Benanti To Replace Apple-Bound Lauren Ambrose In Broadway's 'My Fair Lady'".Archivedfrom the original on December 30, 2018.RetrievedDecember 30,2018.
  19. ^Andreeva, Nellie (August 22, 2018)."Lauren Ambrose & Nell Tiger Free To Star In M. Night Shyamalan's Apple Series".Archivedfrom the original on October 3, 2018.RetrievedDecember 30,2018.
  20. ^Otterson, Joe (November 22, 2019)."'Servant' Renewed for Season 2 at Apple Ahead of Series Premiere ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on November 23, 2019.
  21. ^"Audiobooks narrated by Lauren Ambrose".
  22. ^Caruso, Nick (August 11, 2022)."Yellowjackets:Lauren Ambrose Joins Season 2 as Adult Version of [Spoiler] ".TVLine.Archived fromthe originalon August 11, 2022.RetrievedMarch 26,2023.
  23. ^Alison Singh Gee."Six Feet Under's Lauren Ambrose Has a Boy".People.Archivedfrom the original on February 6, 2009.RetrievedMarch 2,2009.
  24. ^T.L. Stanley (August 25, 2012)."Lauren Ambrose in fully engaged in 'Coma' on A&E".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on April 20, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 13,2013.
  25. ^Nigel M. Smith (August 28, 2012)."'Sleepwalk With Me' star Lauren Ambrose on saying goodbye to 'Six Feet Under' and why she took on A&E medical thriller 'Coma'".Indiewire.Archivedfrom the original on November 19, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 13,2013.
  26. ^"main".Samhandel. Archived fromthe originalon December 30, 2012.RetrievedMarch 27,2013.
  27. ^"Film and TV Projects Going Into Production: The Vanishings at Caddo Lake".Variety Insight.November 22, 2021. Archived fromthe originalon November 27, 2021.RetrievedNovember 27,2021.
  28. ^ab"Lauren Ambrose".Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.Archivedfrom the original on March 26, 2016.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  29. ^"The 8th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards".SAG Awards.Archived fromthe originalon November 1, 2011.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  30. ^"2002 Teen Choice Awards".The Oklahoman.August 18, 2002.Archivedfrom the original on April 25, 2020.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  31. ^"The 9th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards".SAG Awards.Archived fromthe originalon November 1, 2011.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  32. ^"The 10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards".SAG Awards.Archivedfrom the original on September 20, 2016.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  33. ^"The 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards".SAG Awards.Archivedfrom the original on August 25, 2013.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  34. ^"The 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards".SAG Awards.Archivedfrom the original on September 30, 2011.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  35. ^"2009 Satellite Awards nominees: Off-beat or Oscar predictor?".LA Times.November 30, 2009.Archivedfrom the original on November 4, 2019.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  36. ^"Indie Spirit Awards 2012: Complete Winners List".The Hollywood Reporter.February 25, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on March 29, 2019.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  37. ^Derby, Gold (March 7, 2016)."Saturn Awards 2012: Complete List of TV Nominations".Gold Derby.Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2017.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  38. ^"2018 Tony Award Nominations".Tony Awards.Archivedfrom the original on February 16, 2020.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  39. ^"Nominees Announced for 2018 Drama League Awards".TheaterMania.April 18, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on May 1, 2018.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  40. ^McPhee, Ryan (May 7, 2018)."Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, My Fair Lady Win Big at 2018 Outer Critics Circle Awards".Playbill.Archivedfrom the original on May 7, 2018.RetrievedJune 13,2020.
  41. ^"THE BAND'S VISIT, CAROUSEL & More Nominated for 2019 GRAMMY AWARDS".BroadwayWorld.December 7, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on December 7, 2018.RetrievedDecember 7,2018.
  42. ^"Conheça todos os indicados do SEC Awards 2021".SEC Awards 2022(in Brazilian Portuguese). May 7, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on May 7, 2021.RetrievedMarch 10,2022.
  43. ^"Nominations Announced for the 2nd Annual Critics Choice Super Awards | Critics Choice Awards".Archived fromthe originalon February 23, 2022.RetrievedMarch 10,2022.
  44. ^"Hollywood Critics Association Announces the 2023 HCA TV Awards nominations for Broadcast Networks & Cable".RetrievedJuly 11,2023.
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