Laura Elizabeth Dern was born on February 10, 1967, in Los Angeles, California, to actors Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd. Her acting career began at a young age, with uncredited roles in films such as “White Lightning” (1973) and “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” (1974), which starred her mother. She formally pursued acting studies at Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.
Dern’s career gained momentum in the 1980s with roles in films like “Mask” (1985) and “Blue Velvet” (1986), directed by David Lynch. Her performance in “Rambling Rose” (1991) earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She has worked consistently in film and television, showcasing versatility across various genres. Dern won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Marriage Story” (2019). She has also won five Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for “Ellen” (1997), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for “Recount” (2008), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for “Enlightened” (2011), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for “Big Little Lies” (2017), and Outstanding Limited Series for “Big Little Lies” (2017) as an executive producer alongside Reese Witherspoon.
Some of Dern’s most popular and critically acclaimed films and television series include: