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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 as Claire Fisher in the HBO drama series Six Feet Under (2001–2005), for which she was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards and won two Screen Actors Guild Awards. She went on to star as Jilly Kitzinger in the BBC One science fiction series Torchwood: Miracle Day (2011), Dorothy Turner in the Apple TV+ psychological horror series Servant (2019–2023), and as the adult version of Vanessa "Van" Palmer in the Showtime drama thriller series Yellowjackets (2023–present).

Her film credits include In & Out (1997), Can't Hardly Wait (1998), Psycho Beach Party (2000), Where the Wild Things Are (2009), and The Other Woman (2009). Ambrose played the title role in Loving Leah, a 2009 Hallmark film. Other credits include About Sunny (2011), Sleepwalk with Me (2012), and Wanderlust (2012).

Ambrose's stage credits include Buried Child (2004), Awake and Sing! (2006), and Exit the King (2009). She portrayed the lead role of Eliza Doolittle in the 2018 Lincoln Center Theater revival of My Fair Lady on Broadway, for which she garnered a Tony Award nomination and a Grammy Award, as well as an Outer Critics Circle Award. She is lead singer of the ragtime band Lauren Ambrose and the Leisure Class.[1]

Early life

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Lauren Ambrose was born in New 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 of Italian descent on her father's side,[3] and German, English, and Irish on her mother's side. Ambrose attended Choate Rosemary Hall, Wilbur Cross High School, High School in the Community, and the ACES Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven as part of the class of 1996.[4] She is also a trained opera singer who studied voice and opera at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute in 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 the Off-Broadway play Soulful Scream of a Chosen Son at the Vineyard Theatre from August to September 1990.[7][8] Her early career also included television appearances, most notably playing supporting guest roles in the NBC crime drama series Law & 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 comedy In & Out (1997).[9] She went on to have a prominent role as Denise Fleming in the high school comedy film Can't Hardly Wait (1998).

1999–2005: Breakthrough and Six Feet Under

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In 1999, Ambrose had a recurring role as Myra Wringler in five episodes of the Fox teen drama Party of Five. She played the ingenue lead, Florence "Chicklet" Forrest, in the horror comedy Psycho Beach Party (2000). The same year, she starred as Frankie Wheeler in the coming-of-age drama film Swimming.

Ambrose gained wider recognition and critical acclaim for her starring role as Claire Fisher in the HBO drama series Six Feet Under (2001–2005). For her performance, she was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and a Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Drama Actress. She also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series twice, from five nominations as a part of the ensemble cast.

In 2004, she starred as Shelly in the Royal National Theatre production of the play Buried Child.

2006–2017: Broadway debut

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In 2006, Ambrose made her Broadway debut in the Lincoln Center Theater revival production of Awake and Sing! at the Belasco Theatre. She went on to appear in the drama films Diggers (2006) and Starting Out in the Evening (2007).

In 2007, she starred as Juliet in the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park performance of Romeo and Juliet at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. She also appeared as Ophelia in the 2008 performance of Hamlet for Shakespeare in the Park.[10]

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

Ambrose returned to Broadway in the 2009 revival of Eugène Ionesco's Exit the King at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, opposite Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon. Also in 2009, she starred in numerous films, such as the comedy-dramas A Dog Year and Cold Souls, and the romance dramas The Other Woman and Loving Leah. Additionally, she provided the voice of the monster KW in Spike Jonze's fantasy drama film Where 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 at Joe's Pub and charity events.[12]

In 2011, Ambrose appeared in seven episodes of the BBC One science fiction series Torchwood: Miracle Day. She played Jilly 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 a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress on Television.[14]

Ambrose produced and starred in the drama film About Sunny (2011), which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. For her performance, she was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead. In 2012, she appeared in the comedy films Sleepwalk with Me, Wanderlust, and Grassroots. She was set to play Fanny Brice in a 2012 Broadway revival of Funny Girl, directed by Bartlett Sher, but the production was indefinitely postponed due to financial concerns.[15]

Ambrose made numerous TV appearances, including roles in the A&E miniseries Coma (2012), the Adult Swim animated series Robot Chicken (2013), the NBC crime drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2013), the Lifetime television film Deliverance Creek (2014), and the USA Network miniseries Dig (2015). From 2016 to 2018, she had a recurring role as Special Agent Liz Einstein in the Fox science fiction drama series The X-Files.

2018–present: Broadway return and Servant

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In March 2018, Ambrose began a leading role as Eliza Doolittle in the Broadway revival of My Fair Lady at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, directed by Bartlett Sher.[16][17] For her performance, she received critical acclaim and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. She also won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.

In October 2018, Ambrose left My Fair Lady to take on the lead role as Dorothy Turner in the psychological horror series Servant, which was produced by M. Night Shyamalan and Tony Basgallop for Apple 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 the Critics' Choice Super Award for Best Actress in a Horror Series.

Ambrose has also narrated various audiobooks,[21] most recently The Maid by Nita Prose in 2022.

In 2023, Ambrose began starring in the Showtime drama thriller series Yellowjackets, 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 Celeste
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 [27]
2002 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated [28]
2002 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Drama Actress Nominated [29]
2003 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [27]
2003 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Won [30]
2004 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Won [31]
2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated [32]
2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated [33]
2009 Satellite Awards Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Loving Leah Nominated [34]
2012 Independent Spirit Awards Best Female Lead Think of Me Nominated [35]
2012 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on Television Torchwood: Miracle Day Nominated [36]
2018 Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical My Fair Lady Nominated [37]
2018 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [38]
2018 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Won [39]
2019 Grammy Award Best Musical Theater Album Nominated [40]
2021 SEC Awards Best Actress in a Thriller Series Servant Nominated [41]
2022 Critics' Choice Super Award Best Actress in a Horror Series Nominated [42]
2023 Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Drama Series Yellowjackets Nominated [43]

References

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