Laura Dern launched her professional acting career in the 1980s, eventually securing international recognition for her role as paleobotanist Ellie Sattler in the 1993 science fiction adventure film Jurassic Park. Throughout a career spanning over four decades, she has demonstrated versatility across television and cinema, earning multiple accolades for her work in both independent features and large-scale studio productions.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Born in Los Angeles in 1967, Dern made her film debut in the 1974 production Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. Her breakout performance occurred in the 1985 drama Smooth Talk, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. During the mid-1980s, she began a long-standing creative partnership with director David Lynch, appearing in his films Blue Velvet in 1986 and Wild at Heart in 1990.
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In 1992, Dern and her mother, Diane Ladd, earned the distinction of being the first mother and daughter to receive Academy Award nominations for acting in the same film, specifically for their performances in Rambling Rose. Her television career saw significant recognition in 2009, 2012, and 2018 with Golden Globe wins, along with a 2017 Primetime Emmy Award for her portrayal of Renata Klein in the drama series Big Little Lies.
Academy Award Recognition
Dern's career includes several major awards for her contributions to cinema. In 2020, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of a divorce lawyer in the film Marriage Story. This performance also earned her a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe. Prior to this win, she had received nominations for her work in the films Rambling Rose and Wild.
Fast facts
- Born: 1967, Los Angeles
- Education: The Buckley School, Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, UCLA
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress: 2020
- First Golden Globe win: 1993
- Primetime Emmy Award win: 2017
- Citizenship: United States
- Notable role: Ellie Sattler in Jurassic Park
- Occupations: Actor, producer, director, screenwriter
Questions readers ask
What was Laura Dern's first major film role?
Her first major credited role was in the 1980 film Foxes, though her professional career began with appearances in films like Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.
Has Laura Dern worked with David Lynch?
Yes, she has collaborated with David Lynch on several projects, including Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, Inland Empire, and the television series Twin Peaks: The Return.
Achievements
- Golden Globe Awards
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress — 2020
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie — 2017
- BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role — 2020
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film — 1993
- Worked as film actor, film producer and voice actor
