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Emmy-nominated actress, director, and producer
She earned five Emmy nominations for her performances as Nicky Nichols in Orange Is the New Black and as creator and star of Russian Doll.
Natasha Lyonne, born April 4, 1979, in New York City, is an American actress, director, writer, and producer who stands 5'1" tall with distinctive natural red hair. She earned recognition as Jessica in the American Pie franchise before landing five Emmy nominations for her work in Orange Is the New Black (2013-2019), Russian Doll (2019-2022), which she co-created and directed, and Poker Face (2023-2025). Time Magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023, and she publicly revealed herself as co-founder of the AI film studio Asteria in 2025.
Lyonne was signed by Ford Modeling Agency at age six and appeared as recurring character Opal on Pee-wee's Playhouse in 1986, the same year she made her film debut in Heartburn. Born to Orthodox Jewish parents in New York City, she lived in Israel for a year and a half where she appeared in the Israeli children's film April Fool (1989), sparking her interest in acting. After her parents divorced, she returned to New York, attended Ramaz School until her expulsion for selling marijuana, and enrolled briefly at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts before leaving due to tuition costs, living independently from her family since age 16.
Lyonne has never been married and does not have children or a daughter, despite frequent public speculation. She dated Fred Armisen from 2014 to 2022, and in 2025 confirmed her relationship with filmmaker Bryn Mooser, with whom she co-founded the AI studio Asteria in 2022. She has been publicly open about her sobriety journey, surviving a near-fatal health crisis related to substance abuse in the mid-2000s that included heart infection, collapsed lung, and open-heart surgery, and has maintained her recovery while advocating for addiction awareness.
She stands 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm) tall, making her one of the shortest leading actresses in Hollywood.
Her distinctive raspy voice became a signature trait that directors specifically wrote into characters.
She is a natural redhead, though she wore wigs for certain roles including parts of Russian Doll.
In 2025 she revealed her role as co-founder of Asteria, an AI film studio using responsibly sourced data to create animated features.
Her grandmother Ella survived the Holocaust along with only four of her siblings, which Lyonne attributed to their blond hair and blue eyes.
I had to become coherent and a businesswoman at six. By 10, I was a jaded professional.
My family consists of my father's side, Flatbush, and my mother's side, Auschwitz.
I don't think [my parents] knew better. It was a decision of [theirs] built on hopeful ignorance.
Born on April 4 in New York City to Orthodox Jewish parents
Made acting debut with recurring role on Pee-wee's Playhouse and appeared in Heartburn
Appeared in Israeli children's film April Fool while living in Israel
Co-starred in Woody Allen's Everyone Says I Love You at age 16
Received critical acclaim for lead role in Slums of Beverly Hills
Played Jessica in American Pie, which grossed over 230 million dollars, and starred in cult classic But I'm a Cheerleader
Cast as Nicky Nichols in Netflix's Orange Is the New Black, earning first Emmy nomination
Began relationship with Fred Armisen that lasted until 2022
Co-created, wrote, directed, and starred in Netflix's Russian Doll, earning multiple Emmy nominations
Co-founded AI film studio Asteria with Bryn Mooser
Starred in Peacock's Poker Face and named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people
Starred in and produced Netflix film His Three Daughters