Biography
Daytime talk-show diva Ricki Lake first shot to fame as the high-stepping Rubenesque star of the cult hit film "Hairspray" (1988). A member of director John Waters' repertory company of players, Lake appeared in several of the filmmaker's subsequent films, including the Johnny Depp vehicle, "Cry-Baby" (1990). Lake's greatest claim to fame, however, came later with her dramatic weight loss, and as the host of her daytime gabfest, the eponymous …
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Career Milestones
| Began professional career singing in cabarets in NYC | ||
| Landed singing role in off-Broadway revue "Five Dine, No Exaggeration" | ||
| Raised in Westchester, NY | ||
1988 | Made film acting debut, playing the lead role of Tracy Turnblad in the John Waters directed "Hairspray" | |
1989 | Landed lead in CBS TV-movie "Babycakes," the Americanized version of Percy Adlon's "Sugarbaby" | |
1990 | Appeared in "A Girl's Guide to Chaos" at the Tiffany Theater in Los Angeles, CA | |
1990 | Joined cast of the ABC drama series "China Beach" as the overweight Red Cross worker 'Holly the Donut Dolly' | |
1990 | Reteamed with Waters for "Cry-Baby" | |
1992 | Featured in urban drama "Where the Day Takes You" | |
1993 | Hosted syndicated daytime talk show "Ricki Lake" | |
1994 | Third collaboration with John Waters, the satirical "Serial Mom" | |
1996 | Played the title role in "Mrs. Winterbourne" | |
2000 | Landed recurring role on CBS sitcom "The King of Queens" as Stephanie, Doug's (Kevin James) younger sister | |
2000 | Made appearance in John Waters' "Cecil B. Demented" | |
2006 | Hosted the CBS summer series "Gameshow Marathon" | |
2007 | Appeared in the Lifetime TV movie "Matters with Life and Dating" | |
2007 | Made cameo appearance in the movie musical adaptation of "Hairspray" as a William Morris talent agent | |
2007 | Produced "The Business of Being Born," a documentary that examined the history and financial side of childbirth through the woman's experience; included footage and details of her own "life changing" home birthing experience | |
2009 | Co-wrote a book on the world of natural childbirth and birthing options, along with Abby Epstein and Jacques Moritz, called Your Best Birth | |
2009 | Replaced Sharon Osbourne as host for third season of VH1's "Charm School" | |
2011 | Joined 13th season of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" | |
2012 | Returned to daytime TV with new syndicated talk program "The Ricki Lake Show" | |
Awards
1989 | Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead in Hairspray |