Lisa Edelstein | |
|---|---|
 Edelstein at the Fox House Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2007 | |
| Born | May 21, 1966 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Alma mater | New York University's Tisch School of the Arts |
| Occupation | Actress, playwright |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Spouse(s) | Robert Russell (m. 2014) |
Lisa Edelstein (/ˈliːsə ˈɛdəlstiːn/; born May 21, 1966)[1] is an American actress and playwright. Edelstein is known for playing Dr. Lisa Cuddy on the Fox medical drama series House. Between 2014 and 2018, she starred as Abby McCarthy in the Bravo series Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce.
Early life[]
Edelstein was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the youngest of three children in a Jewish family led by Bonnie and Alvin Edelstein. Her father worked as a pediatrician at Chilton Memorial Hospital.[2] She was raised in Wayne, New Jersey,[3] and attended Wayne Valley High School, graduating in 1984.[4]
At 16, Edelstein was a cheerleader for the New Jersey Generals. Edelstein participated in a protest of poor working conditions. She said she felt they were treated "like hookers" and helped organize a cheerleader walkout.[5]
She moved to New York City at the age of 18 to study theatre at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.[6] While living in New York, she became involved in the club scene (known there only as "Lisa E") and caused enough of a stir in the community to be dubbed New York City's "Queen of the Night" by writer and fellow celebutant James St. James, who briefly refers to Edelstein in his 1999 book Disco Bloodbath.[7]
Career[]
Actress[]
After being dubbed a "celebutante" by The New York Times magazine during her club kid days,[3] Edelstein used her new-found celebrity to write, compose and star in an original musical called Positive Me[8] in response to the growing AIDS crisis of the 1980s. The play, performed at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York City, received many accolades.[3][9] After an unsuccessful stint hosting Awake on the Wild Side for MTV in 1990,[10] she appeared as a backstage make-up artist in Oliver Stone's Jim Morrison biography The Doors, followed by guest roles on several popular comedies, including Mad About You, Wings, and The Larry Sanders Show. On Sports Night, she played a sports reporter who claimed to be a former lover of Josh Charles' character whom he did not remember. On Seinfeld, she played George Costanza's sexually frustrated girlfriend in the episode "The Masseuse",
Edelstein picketed during the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike, which halted the production of House.
Bigger roles in TV dramas soon followed, among them the lesbian sister on ABC's Relativity (1996); a high-priced call girl turned Rob Lowe's date on The West Wing (1999); an assigned male at birth (AMAB) transgender woman on Ally McBeal (2000); and Ben Covington's (Scott Speedman) girlfriend on Felicity (2001). She also continued to land guest-star spots on such shows as ER, Frasier, Just Shoot Me!, Without a Trace, and Judging Amy, as well as small parts in the films What Women Want, Keeping the Faith, As Good as It Gets, and Daddy Day Care.
From 2004 to 2011, she portrayed her biggest and most notable role to date, Dr. Lisa Cuddy, the Dean of Medicine at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital and frequent adversary, friend, and eventual girlfriend of title character Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) on Fox's TV series House. Edelstein has often spoken fondly of her experiences on the show and fellow cast and crew, especially her friendship and strong working relationship with Laurie.
In May 2011, Edelstein announced that she would not return for the eighth and final season of House.[11] Starting in June 2011, she joined the cast of The Good Wife where she played lawyer Celeste Serrano.[12] She guest-starred in Scandal in 2013, and later three episodes of the ABC series Castle.
She also starred as the lead role of Abby McCarthy in the Bravo series Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, an hour-long comedy-drama loosely based on the book series by Vicki Iovine and which premiered on December 2, 2014. In 2018, Edelstein joined the cast of ABC's The Good Doctor in season two as Dr. Blaize in a recurring role. This reunited her with House creator David Shore.[13] Edelstein also plays a recurring character in The Kominsky Method, a Netflix series that debuted in November 2018.
She has lent her voice to several animated programs, including King of the Hill, American Dad!, Superman: The Animated Series (as Mercy Graves, Lex Luthor's bodyguard, a role she later reprised in several episodes of Justice League), Legend of Korra (as Kya, Tenzin's sister) and the video game adaptation of Blade Runner.
Other appearances[]
Edelstein is a supporter of Best Friends Animal Society, of which she is an Ambassador. She supports human rights organizations and is a patron of the arts. She has appeared in numerous magazines, including the September 2010 cover of H magazine.[14] She posed for PETA in an ad promoting vegetarianism, a diet she has followed for most of her life.[15]
Personal life[]
On May 25, 2014, Edelstein married artist Robert Russell in Los Angeles.[16] She became a stepmother to Russell's two sons from a previous marriage.[17]
Filmography[]
Film[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | The Doors | Makeup artist | |
| 1997 | As Good as It Gets | Woman at table | |
| 1998 | Susan's Plan | Penny Myers | |
| 1998 | L.A. Without a Map | Sandra | |
| 1999 | 30 Days | Danielle | |
| 2000 | Keeping the Faith | Ali Decker | |
| 2000 | What Women Want | Dina | |
| 2003 | Daddy Day Care | Crispin's mother | |
| 2005 | Say Uncle | Sarah Faber | |
| 2013 | She Loves Me Not | Amy | |
| 2016 | Joshy | Claudia |
Television[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | L.A. Law | Francine Flicker | Episode: "My Friend Flicker" |
| 1992 | Mad About You | Lynne Stoddard | Episode: "Out of the Past" |
| 1993 | Good Advice | Robin | Episode: "The Kiss" |
| 1993 | Seinfeld | Karen | Recurring; 2 Episodes |
| 1993 | Wings | Marsha Peebles | Episode: "Labor Pains" |
| 1996 | Ned & Stacey | Janine | Episode: "Friends and Lovers" |
| 1994 | The Larry Sanders Show | Diane French | Episode: "The Mr. Sharon Stone Show" |
| 1994 | Wild Oats | Unknown | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1995–97 | Almost Perfect | Patty Karp | Recurring; 8 Episodes |
| 1995 | Partners | Cindy Wolfe | Episode: "Who's Afraid of Ron and Cindy Wolfe?" |
| 1995 | Superman: The Animated Series | Mercy Graves | Recurring; 9 Episodes Voice role |
| 1996–97 | Relativity | Rhonda Roth | Main |
| 1997 | ER | Aggi Orton | Episode: "Ambush" |
| 1998 | Frasier | Caitlin | Episode: "Frasier Gotta Have It" |
| 1998 | Just Shoot Me! | Erin Simons | Episode: "Sewer!" |
| 1998 | Indiscreet | Beth Sussman | Television movie |
| 1999 | Sports Night | Bobbi Bernstein | Recurring; 2 Episodes |
| 1999–2000 | The West Wing | Laurie "Brittany" Rollins | Recurring; 5 Episodes |
| 2000 | Grosse Pointe | Shawn Shapiro | Episode: "Satisfaction" |
| 2000–01 | Ally McBeal | Cindy McCauliff | Recurring; 5 Episodes |
| 2001 | Black River | Laura | Television movie |
| 2001–02 | Felicity | Lauren | Recurring; 6 Episodes |
| 2002 | Obsessed | Charlotte | Television movie |
| 2002 | Leap of Faith | Patty | Main |
| 2003 | A Date with Darkness: The Trial and Capture of Andrew Luster | Maeve Fox | Television movie |
| 2003 | Without a Trace | Dr. Lianna Sardo | Episode: "Moving On" |
| 2003 | The Practice | Diane Ward | Recurring; 2 Episodes |
| 2003 | Justice League | Mercy Graves | Recurring; 2 Episodes Voice |
| 2004 | Judging Amy | Sylvia Danforth | Episode: "The Quick and the Dead" |
| 2005 | Justice League Unlimited | Mercy Graves | Episode: "Clash" |
| 2005 | Fathers and Sons | Irene | Television movie |
| 2004–11 | House | Dr. Lisa Cuddy | Main: Seasons 1-7 People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Drama Actress Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series |
| 2007 | King of the Hill | Alexis | Episode: "The Powder Puff Boys" |
| 2007–11 | American Dad! | Sharri Rothberg | Recurring; 6 Episodes |
| 2008 | Special Delivery | Maxine Carter | Television movie |
| 2011 | Childrens Hospital | Herself/Lisa Cuddy | Episode: "Run, Dr. Lola Spratt, Run!" |
| 2011 | The Good Wife | Celeste Serano | Recurring; 3 Episodes |
| 2011 | Paul The Male Matchmaker | Jillian | Episode: "Know When You Are Not Ready" |
| 2012 | Blue-Eyed Butcher | Kelly Siegler | Television movie |
| 2012 | Elementary | Heather Van Owen | Episode: "The Long Fuse" |
| 2013 | House of Lies | Brynn | Recurring; 2 Episodes |
| 2013 | Scandal | Sarah Stanner | Episode: "Top of the Hour" |
| 2013 | Castle | Rachel McCord | Recurring; 3 Episodes |
| 2013–14 | The Legend of Korra | Kya | Recurring; 14 Episodes Voice |
| 2014–18 | Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce | Abby McCarthy | Main |
| 2018–19 | The Good Doctor | Dr. Marina Blaize | Recurring; 6 Episodes |
| 2018–present | The Kominsky Method | Phoebe | Recurring Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series |
| 2021 | 9-1-1: Lone Star | Gywneth | Recurring |
Video Games[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Blade Runner | Crystal Steele |
Awards[]
- In 2005, she accepted the award for Television Series drama at the 10th Annual Satellite Awards for her portrayal of Dr. Lisa Cuddy on House.
- In 2011, she won the People's Choice Award for Best Drama Actress in a TV Series for her portrayal of Dr. Lisa Cuddy on House.[18]
References[]
- ↑ Rosenfeld, Laura (January 18, 2017). "Lisa Edelstein Says "It's a Wonderful Thing" to Be Over 40 in Hollywood". Bravo. Retrieved September 4, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Lisa Edelstein". chiltonhealth.org.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>[dead link]
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Vaughan, Bonnia. "Small-Screen GemLisa Edelstein – The actress talks about her role on Relativity", Entertainment Weekly, October 6, 2008. Retrieved March 31, 2011. "Thanks to Relativity – and her role as lovelorn lesbian Rhonda – the Wayne, N.J., native has another opportunity to set a strong example."
- ↑ Rohan, Virginia. "North Jersey-bred and talented too"[dead link], The Record (Bergen County), June 18, 2007. Retrieved June 25, 2007. "Lisa Edelstein: Class of 1984, Wayne Valley High School"[dead link]
- ↑ Katz, Emily Tess (December 3, 2015). "That Time Trump's Cheerleaders Staged A Walkout For Being Treated 'Like Hookers'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 4, 2017.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Lisa Edelstein- Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on June 11, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2013.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ St. James, James (1999). Disco Bloodbath. New York City: Simon & Schuster. ASIN B00ADSBYTK.
- ↑ La MaMa's Digital Collections, "Program: 'Positive Me' (1989b)" Retrieved March 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Theater". New York (New York City: New York Media, LLC) 22 (45): 150. November 13, 1989. ISSN 0028-7369.
- ↑ "Lisa Edelstein Interview". jwi.org. Archived from the original on June 11, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "House Shocker: A 'Disappointed' Lisa Edelstein Calls It Quits". TV Line. May 17, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "Lisa Edelstein moves from House to The Good Wife". June 23, 2011. Archived from the original on June 25, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2011.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (June 21, 2018). "'The Good Doctor': Lisa Edelstein To Recur On Season 2, Sets 'House' Reunion". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2018.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ Edelstein on the cover of the September 2010 H mag at H's official site; Retrieved September 17, 2010
- ↑ Christina Everett, "'House' Star, 44, Poses Nude for PETA," NY Daily News, April 18, 2012.
- ↑ "House Star Lisa Edelstein Tied the Knot This Weekend, Too!—Get All the Details on Her Wedding to Robert Russell". http://www.eonline.com/news/545396/house-star-lisa-edelstein-tied-the-knot-this-weekend-too-get-all-the-details-on-her-wedding-to-robert-russell. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
- ↑ "Lisa Edelstein Opens Up About Being a Stepmom: 'Children Will Let You Know What They Need From You'". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 2020-11-18.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ "People's Choice Awards Nominees and Winners 2011". peopleschoice.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2012.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
External links[]
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Wikiquote has quotations related to: Lisa Edelstein |
- Lisa Edelstein at the Internet Movie Database
- Lisa Edelstein at AllMovie
- Lisa Edelstein's artist page on La MaMa's Digital Collections Website
Template:People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Drama Actress Template:Satellite Award Best Supporting Actress Series Miniseries or Television Film