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Ricki Lake
Actor, Producer, Additional CreditsBorn September 21, 1968 (57 years)
Ricki Pamela Lake (born September 21, 1968) is an American television host and actress. She is known for her lead role as Tracy Turnblad in the 1988 film Hairspray, for which she received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.
She is also known for her talk show, Ricki Lake, which was broadcast internationally from September 1993 until May 2004. When the show debuted, she was 24 and credited as being the youngest person to host a syndicated talk show at the time. In late 2012, Lake began hosting a second syndicated talk show, The Ricki Lake Show. The series was canceled in 2013 after a single season, but Lake won her first Daytime Emmy Award for the project.
She also starred in other Waters films including Cry-Baby, Cecil B. Demented, and Serial Mom. She starred in Mrs. Winterbourne, Cabin Boy, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Cookie, and Inside Monkey Zetterland.
She joined the cast of the Vietnam War drama series China Beach as a Red Cross volunteer, Holly "the Donut Dolly" Pelegrino, for the show's third season. She also had a recurring role on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens as Doug's sister Stephanie. She also had a cameo in the 2007 film Hairspray as a talent agent and sang "Mama I'm A Big Girl Now" with Nikki Blonsky and Marissa Jaret Winokur for the film's end credits.
In 2008, her documentary about home birth and midwifery, The Business of Being Born, was released. She also jointly wrote a book, Your Best Birth, on the world of natural childbirth and birthing options, along with Abby Epstein and Jacques Moritz, which was published in 2009. Lake and Epstein also launched MyBestBirth.com, an online social network, powered by Ning, intended to allow parents and medical professionals to dialogue about varying birthing options and resources.
She returned to television on May 11, 2009, succeeding Sharon Osbourne as host for the third season of VH1's Charm School. On November 10, 2010, Lake joined fellow talkers Phil Donahue, Sally Jessy Raphael, Geraldo Rivera, and Montel Williams as guests of Oprah Winfrey on The Oprah Winfrey Show, marking the first time those hosts appeared together on one show since their respective programs left the air.
She competed on the 13th season of Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with three-time champion Derek Hough and cited Kirstie Alley's appearance as an inspiration to do the show. In October 2019, she began competing in The X Factor: Celebrity.
In March 2018, at SXSW, Lake and Epstein premiered their documentary film Weed the People, examining the use of cannabis as medicine and its status as a Schedule I prohibited drug in the United States. The film focused in particular on the use of cannabis in the treatment of pediatric cancer.
She is also known for her talk show, Ricki Lake, which was broadcast internationally from September 1993 until May 2004. When the show debuted, she was 24 and credited as being the youngest person to host a syndicated talk show at the time. In late 2012, Lake began hosting a second syndicated talk show, The Ricki Lake Show. The series was canceled in 2013 after a single season, but Lake won her first Daytime Emmy Award for the project.
She also starred in other Waters films including Cry-Baby, Cecil B. Demented, and Serial Mom. She starred in Mrs. Winterbourne, Cabin Boy, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Cookie, and Inside Monkey Zetterland.
She joined the cast of the Vietnam War drama series China Beach as a Red Cross volunteer, Holly "the Donut Dolly" Pelegrino, for the show's third season. She also had a recurring role on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens as Doug's sister Stephanie. She also had a cameo in the 2007 film Hairspray as a talent agent and sang "Mama I'm A Big Girl Now" with Nikki Blonsky and Marissa Jaret Winokur for the film's end credits.
In 2008, her documentary about home birth and midwifery, The Business of Being Born, was released. She also jointly wrote a book, Your Best Birth, on the world of natural childbirth and birthing options, along with Abby Epstein and Jacques Moritz, which was published in 2009. Lake and Epstein also launched MyBestBirth.com, an online social network, powered by Ning, intended to allow parents and medical professionals to dialogue about varying birthing options and resources.
She returned to television on May 11, 2009, succeeding Sharon Osbourne as host for the third season of VH1's Charm School. On November 10, 2010, Lake joined fellow talkers Phil Donahue, Sally Jessy Raphael, Geraldo Rivera, and Montel Williams as guests of Oprah Winfrey on The Oprah Winfrey Show, marking the first time those hosts appeared together on one show since their respective programs left the air.
She competed on the 13th season of Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with three-time champion Derek Hough and cited Kirstie Alley's appearance as an inspiration to do the show. In October 2019, she began competing in The X Factor: Celebrity.
In March 2018, at SXSW, Lake and Epstein premiered their documentary film Weed the People, examining the use of cannabis as medicine and its status as a Schedule I prohibited drug in the United States. The film focused in particular on the use of cannabis in the treatment of pediatric cancer.
Known For
Ricki Lake Filmography
| 2022 | Pictionary (TV Series) |
| 2021 | Under the Christmas Tree · as Marie |
| 2020 | Cooked with Cannabis (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 2019 | The Masked Singer (US) (TV Series) · as Raven (archive Footage) |
| 2017 | Gemini · as Vanessa |
| 2016 | Hairspray Live! · as Pinkette |
| 2015 | Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (TV Series) · as Dream Ghost #1 |
| 2014 | Advanced Style · as Cast |
| 2012 | The Ricki Lake Show (TV Series) |
| 2012 | Doggiewoggiez! Poochiewoochiez! · as Cast |
| 2011 | More Business of Being Born · as Host |
| 2009 | Drop Dead Diva (TV Series) · as Susan Semler |
| 2009 | Loving Leah · as Rabbi Gerry |
| 2008 | Easy to Assemble (TV Series) |
| 2007 | Matters of Life & Dating · as Linda Dackman |
| 2007 | Hairspray · as Talent Agent |
| 2007 | Rock of Love: Charm School (TV Series) · as Headmistress |
| 2007 | The Middle · as Frankie Heck |
| 2006 | Park · as Peggy |
| 2006 | Gameshow Marathon (TV Series) · as Hostess |
| 2004 | Higglytown Heroes (TV Series) · as Carpenter Hero |
| 2000 | Cecil B. Demented · as Libby |
| 1998 | Murder She Purred: A Mrs. Murphy Mystery · as Mary Minor 'harry' Haristeen |
| 1998 | The King of Queens (TV Series) · as Stephanie Heffernan |
| 1997 | King of the Hill (TV Series) · as Lila (voice) |
| 1996 | Mrs. Winterbourne · as Connie Doyle |
| 1994 | Serial Mom · as Misty Sutphin |
| 1994 | The Critic (TV Series) · as Ricki Lake (voice) |
| 1994 | Cabin Boy · as Figurehead |
| 1993 | |
| 1993 | Based on an Untrue Story · as Velour Gnack |
| 1992 | Inside Monkey Zetterland · as Bella The Stalker |
| 1992 | Ricki Lake (TV Series) |
| 1992 | Where the Day Takes You · as Brenda |
| 1992 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer · as Charlotte |
| 1991 | Jenny Jones (TV Series) |
| 1991 | Riders in the Sky (TV Series) · as Broadway Baby |
| 1991 | The Idiot Box (TV Series) · as Daughter |
| 1991 | The Chase · as Tammie |
| 1990 | Gravedale High (TV Series) · as Cleofatra (voice) |
| 1990 | Cry-Baby · as Pepper Walker |
| 1989 | Last Exit to Brooklyn · as Donna |
| 1989 | Cookie · as Pia |
| 1989 | Babycakes · as Grace |
| 1988 | Working Girl · as Bridesmaid |
| 1988 | LIVE with Kelly and Mark (TV Series) |
| 1988 | China Beach (TV Series) · as Holly Pelegrino |
| 1988 | Hairspray · as Tracy Turnblad |
| 1988 | The in Crowd · as Dancer (uncredited) |
| 1984 | Kate & Allie (TV Series) |
| 1981 | Entertainment Tonight (TV Series) |
| 1972 | The ABC Afterschool Special (TV Series) · as Carmen |
| 2024 | Live from the Other Side with Tyler Henry (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2023 | Rewind the '90s (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2022 | The Wheel (US) (TV Series) · as Self - Expert |
| 2022 | That's My Jam (UK) (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2022 | Sherri (2022) (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2022 | Moon Manor · as Self |
| 2021 | Nick Cannon (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2020 | The Drew Barrymore Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2020 | GMA3: What You Need to Know (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2020 | Stars In The House (TV Series) · as Self - Special Guest |
| 2019 | The X Factor: Celebrity (TV Series) · as Self - Contestant |
| 2019 | Tamron Hall (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2019 | RuPaul (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2018 | The '90s Greatest (TV Series) · as Self - Talk Show Host |
| 2018 | Strahan, Sara & Keke (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2018 | 25 Words or Less (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2017 | Unexpected (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 2017 | Drop the Mic (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2016 | Embrace: The Documentary · as Self |
| 2015 | Daily Blast Live (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2014 | Celebrity Name Game (TV Series) · as Self - Contestant |
| 2013 | Through the Keyhole (2013) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2013 | Whose Line Is It Anyway? (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2013 | I Am Divine · as Self |
| 2012 | Oprah: Where Are They Now? (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | All the Right Moves (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | Sunday Brunch (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2011 | Piers Morgan Tonight (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2010 | The Talk (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Co-Host |
| 2010 | Family Feud (TV Series) · as Herself |
| 2009 | Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2008 | Celebrity Juice (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2008 | Celebrity Family Feud (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2008 | The Wendy Williams Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2008 | The Business of Being Born · as Self |
| 2007 | Chelsea Lately (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2007 | The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2006 | Rachael Ray (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2006 | The ONE Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | Howard Stern on Demand (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | The Reichen Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie · as Ricki Lake |
| 2005 | Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | It Came from... Baltimore!! · as Self |
| 2005 | Dancing with the Stars (TV Series) · as Self - Contestant |
| 2005 | The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | The Paul O'Grady Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | A Dirty Shame · as Self |
| 2004 | The Insider (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | The Best of 'So Graham Norton' · as Self |
| 2003 | Celebrity Poker Showdown (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | The Ellen DeGeneres Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2002 | Gylne tider (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2002 | American Idol (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2002 | V Graham Norton (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2001 | Crossing Over with John Edward (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2000 | The Teen Choice Awards 2000 · as Self |
| 2000 | In Bad Taste · as Self |
| 1999 | Loose Women (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1999 | Jackie's Back! · as Ricki Lake |
| 1998 | Hollywood Squares (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1998 | Penn & Teller's Sin City Spectacular (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1998 | So Graham Norton (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1997 | The View (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1997 | Light Lunch (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | The Daily Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | E! True Hollywood Story (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | TFI Friday (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1995 | 1995 MTV Video Music Awards · as Self |
| 1994 | Extra (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1994 | Movie Magic (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1993 | Late Night with Conan O'Brien (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1993 | WWE Raw (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1992 | Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1992 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1991 | Maury (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1990 | The Word (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1990 | Intimate Portrait (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1989 | The 61st Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Performer |
| 1989 | The Arsenio Hall Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1988 | This Morning (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1987 | Biography (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1986 | The Oprah Winfrey Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1985 | Larry King Live (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1983 | Sally Jessy Raphael (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1982 | Late Night With David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Good Morning America (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1941 | CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2021 | The Business of Birth Control · as Executive Producer |
| 2018 | Weed the People · as Executive Producer |
| 2014 | Breastmilk · as Executive Producer |
| 2012 | The Ricki Lake Show (TV Series) |
| 2011 | More Business of Being Born · as Executive Producer |
| 2008 | |
| 2007 | Matters of Life & Dating · as Executive Producer |
| 2007 | Rock of Love: Charm School (TV Series) |
| 2009 | Loving Leah · as Co-Executive Producer |
| 1992 | Ricki Lake (TV Series) · as Supervising Producer |