Lauren Ambrose

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Lauren Ambrose
Lauren Ambrose 2000.jpg
Ambrose in 2000
Born
Lauren Anne D'Ambruoso

(1978-02-20) February 20, 1978 (age 43)
New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Occupation
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1990–present
Spouse(s)
Sam Handel
​
(m. 2001)​
Children2

Lauren Anne D'Ambruoso[1] (born February 20, 1978), known professionally as Lauren Ambrose, is an American actress and singer. She is known for her work in television, film, and on Broadway.

Ambrose is best known for her television roles as Claire Fisher in Six Feet Under (2001–2005), for which she was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards and won two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and as Jilly Kitzinger in Torchwood: Miracle Day (2011). Her film credits include Can't Hardly Wait (1998), Psycho Beach Party (2000), Sleepwalk with Me (2012), and Where the Wild Things Are (2009). She is the lead singer of the ragtime band Lauren Ambrose and the Leisure Class.[2]

Ambrose portrayed the lead role of Eliza Doolittle in the Lincoln Center Theater revival of My Fair Lady on Broadway, for which she was nominated for the 2018 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and won the 2018 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.

In 2019, Ambrose began starring as Dorothy Turner in the Apple TV+ psychological horror series Servant.

Early life[]

Lauren Anne D'Ambruoso was born in New Haven, Connecticut on February 20, 1978.[3][4] 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,[5] and German, English, and Irish on her mother's. 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.[6] She is also a trained opera singer who studied voice and opera at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.[7]

Career[]

1992–1997: Career beginnings[]

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.[8][9] Her early career also included television appearances, most notably playing supporting guest roles on Law & Order, and a feature guest role on the show in the 1998 episode "Damaged" as Valerie Maxwell, a mentally-challenged young woman raped by a group of popular high school students. Her first film role was In & Out (1997).[10]

1998–2005: Breakthrough & Six Feet Under[]

She had a prominent role in the high school comedy Can't Hardly Wait (1998). She was the ingenue lead, Florence "Chicklet" Forrest, in Psycho Beach Party (2000).

Ambrose began her role on Six Feet Under in early 2001. She was nominated for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role Emmy Award twice, following the 2002 and 2003 seasons of the critically acclaimed drama.

2006–2017: Broadway debut[]

In 2006, Ambrose made her Broadway debut in the Lincoln Center Theater revival of Awake and Sing! In 2007, she appeared as Juliet in the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park performance of Romeo and Juliet at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. She appeared as Ophelia in the 2008 performance of Hamlet for Shakespeare in the Park.[11] Ambrose returned to Broadway in Exit the King (by Eugène Ionesco) at the Ethel Barrymore Theater on Broadway, opposite Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon. Ambrose provided the voice of the monster KW in Where the Wild Things Are, which was released in 2009. She also appeared in the 2009 Hallmark film "Loving Leah."

In 2011, Ambrose appeared in seven of the ten episodes of 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".[12] For her performance as Kitzinger, Ambrose received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress In Television.[13]

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.[14]

2018–present: Broadway return & Servant[]

Ambrose had been previously set to play Fanny Brice in a 2012 Broadway-bound revival of Funny Girl directed by Bartlett Sher, but the production was indefinitely postponed due to financial concerns.[15] In March 2018 Ambrose started appearing as Eliza Doolittle in a new Broadway revival of My Fair Lady directed by Sher,[16][17] a performance for which she was nominated for the 2018 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and won the 2018 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.

In October 2018, Ambrose left My Fair Lady[18] to take on the lead role as Dorothy Turner in the thriller series Servant produced by M. Night Shyamalan and Tony Basgallop for Apple TV+. The series premiered in November 2019 and she has been starring in it since 2019.[19][20]

Personal life[]

Ambrose has been married to professional photographer Sam Handel since September 2001. They have two children.[21][22][23][24]

Filmography[]

Film[]

Year Title Role Notes
1997 In & Out Vicky Rayburn
1998 Can't Hardly Wait Denise Fleming
1998 Summertime's Calling Me Tami Short film
2000 Swimming Frankie Wheeler
2000 Psycho Beach Party Florence "Chicklet" Forrest
2004 Admissions Evie Brighton
2006 Diggers Zoey
2007 Starting Out in the Evening Heather Wolfe
2009 A Dog Year Emma
2009 Cold Souls Stephanie
2009 Where the Wild Things Are KW (voice)
2009 The Other Woman Mindy
2011 I'm Coming Over Greta Short film
2011 Think of Me Angela Also producer
2012 Sleepwalk with Me Abby
2012 Wanderlust Almond
2012 Grassroots Emily Bowen
2013 The River Maria Short film

Television[]

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 6 episodes
2009 Loving Leah Leah Lever Television film
2011 Torchwood: Miracle Day Jilly Kitzinger 7 episodes
2011 Weekends at Bellevue Ellie Harlow Pilot
2012 Coma Susan Wheeler 2 episodes
2013 Robot Chicken Anita Radcliffe / Natasha Fatale (voices) Episode: "Papercut to Aorta"
2013 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Vanessa Mayer 2 episodes
2014 Deliverance Creek Belle Gatlin Barlow Television film
2015 Dig Debbie Morgan 8 episodes
2015 Broad Squad Eileen Pilot
2016–2018 The X-Files Special Agent Liz Einstein 3 episodes
2016 The Interestings Jules Jacobson Pilot
2019–present Servant Dorothy Turner Main role

Video game[]

Year Title Voice role Notes
2007 The Darkness Jenny Romano

Stage[]

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[]

Year Association Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2002 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Six Feet Under Nominated [25]
2002 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated [26]
2002 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Drama Actress Nominated [27]
2003 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [25]
2003 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Won [28]
2004 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Won [29]
2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated [30]
2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated [31]
2009 Satellite Awards Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Loving Leah Nominated [32]
2012 Independent Spirit Awards Best Female Lead Think of Me Nominated [33]
2012 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on Television Torchwood: Miracle Day Nominated [34]
2018 Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical My Fair Lady Nominated [35]
2018 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [36]
2018 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Won [37]
2019 Grammy Award Best Musical Theater Album Nominated [38]

References[]

  1. ^ "Lauren Ambrose". February 1, 2001. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ Rizzo, Frank. "New Haven's Lauren Ambrose Got the Part: She's New "Funny Girl"". Hartford Courant. www.courant.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  4. ^ Johnson, Malcolm (June 26, 2007). "Timeless Tragedy of Love". Hartford Courant. www.courant.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2009.
  5. ^ "Interview: Six Feet Under's Lauren Ambrose". Windy City Times. Archived from the original on March 12, 2005. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Stars On Stage - Lauren Ambrose | NewYorkTheaterGuide.com". New York Theatre. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  8. ^ "Soulful Scream of a Chosen Son Lab | Written by Ned Eisenberg". Vineyard Theatre. February 21, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  9. ^ "Lauren Ambrose - Theatre Profile". About The Artists. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  10. ^ "Lauren Ambrose, Where the Wild Things Are Interview". Girl. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  11. ^ Public Theater - Shakespeare in the Park Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ 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.
  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. ^ 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.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ "main". Samhandel.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b "Lauren Ambrose". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  26. ^ "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.
  27. ^ "2002 Teen Choice Awards". The Oklahoman. August 18, 2002. Archived from the original on April 25, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  28. ^ "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.
  29. ^ "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.
  30. ^ "The 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards". SAG Awards. Archived from the original on July 19, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ "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.
  33. ^ "Indie Spirit Awards 2012: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ "2018 Tony Award Nominations". Tony Awards. Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  36. ^ "Nominees Announced for 2018 Drama League Awards". TheaterMania. Archived from the original on May 1, 2018. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ "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.

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