Laura Prepon

Laura Prepon

Name: Laura Helene Prepon

Introduction: Laura Prepon is an American actress and television director. She is widely known for her roles as Donna Pinciotti in the long-running Fox sitcom “That ’70s Show” and as Alex Vause in the critically acclaimed Netflix comedy-drama series “Orange Is the New Black.” She has also expanded her career into directing and authorship.

Date of birth: March 7, 1980

Height: 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m)

Place of birth: Watchung, New Jersey, U.S.

Family:

  • Parents’ names: Michael Prepon (father, orthopedic surgeon) and Marjorie Prepon (mother, high school teacher). Her father passed away in 1993.
  • Siblings: She is the youngest of five children. She has a brother, Brad Prepon, and three sisters, Danielle Prepon, Jocelyn Prepon, and Stephanie Prepon.
  • Spouse: Ben Foster (m. 2018). Note: Ben Foster filed for divorce from Prepon on November 12, 2024, citing “irreconcilable differences”.
  • Children:
    • Ella (daughter, born 2017)
    • Son (name not publicly revealed, born 2020)
  • Relatives: Her sister Jocelyn is a Vassar graduate and planned to attend law school. Her sister Stephanie worked at Glamour magazine.

Profession: Actress, director, author, former model.

Nationality: American

Religion: She became a Scientologist in 1999 but has stated that she is “no longer practicing Scientology” as of 2021. She now finds solace in meditation.

College or university attended: She studied at Caroline Thomas’ Total Theater Lab in New York City, beginning at age 15. She also studied modern dance, ballet, and jazz.

Biography and What Famous For:

Laura Prepon began her career in entertainment as a model, working in Paris, Milan, and other parts of Europe due to her height and distinctive looks. Her first professional acting job was in a commercial for MCI.

However, she achieved widespread fame with her breakthrough role as Donna Pinciotti in the Fox sitcom “That ’70s Show” (1998–2006). Her portrayal of the smart, witty, and independent girlfriend of Eric Forman (Topher Grace) made her a household name and a significant figure in 90s pop culture. The show’s success led to her becoming one of the most recognizable young actresses of her generation.

After “That ’70s Show” concluded, Prepon explored various roles to diversify her portfolio. She starred in the short-lived drama series “October Road” (2007–2008) and appeared in films such as “Slackers” (2002), “Karla” (2006), and “The Girl on the Train” (2016).

Her career experienced a major resurgence and she gained new critical acclaim for her role as Alex Vause in the Netflix comedy-drama series “Orange Is the New Black” (2013–2019). As the sarcastic, intelligent drug dealer and on-again, off-again love interest of Piper Chapman, Prepon delivered a compelling performance that showcased her dramatic capabilities and solidified her as a versatile actress beyond comedy. She also directed several episodes of the series.

Beyond acting, Laura Prepon has delved into other areas:

  • Directing: She made her directorial debut on “Orange Is the New Black” and has continued to direct episodes for other television series.
  • Authorship: She co-authored the book “The Stash Plan: Your 21-Day Guide to Shed Weight, Feel Great, and Take Control of Your Health” (2016), focusing on health and wellness. In 2020, she released a memoir titled “You and I, As Mothers,” where she openly discussed her experiences with motherhood and her past struggles with bulimia, aiming to connect with other parents.
  • YouTube: She launched a cooking channel on YouTube, sharing recipes and lifestyle content.

Laura Prepon is famous for:

  • Donna Pinciotti in “That ’70s Show”: Her iconic role as the quintessential girl-next-door of the late 90s/early 2000s.
  • Alex Vause in “Orange Is the New Black”: Her critically acclaimed dramatic performance that redefined her career.
  • Her tall stature and distinctive red hair: Which made her stand out early in her career.
  • Her transition into directing and writing: Showcasing her ambition beyond acting.

Have participated (Selected Filmography, Television, and Other Ventures):

Television (Actress):

  • That ’70s Show (1998–2006) – Donna Pinciotti
  • October Road (2007–2008) – Hannah Daniels
  • How I Met Your Mother (2009–2010) – Karen
  • Medium (2010) – Kira Hudack
  • House (2010) – Frankie
  • Castle (2011) – Natalie Rhodes
  • Are You There, Chelsea? (2012) – Chelsea Newman
  • Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019) – Alex Vause
  • That ’90s Show (2023) – Donna Pinciotti (guest appearance)

Television (Director):

  • Orange Is the New Black (multiple episodes)

Film:

  • Southlander: Diary of a Desperate Musician (2001)
  • Slackers (2002) – Reanna
  • Lightning Bug (2004)
  • Karla (2006) – Karla Homolka
  • Come Early Morning (2006)
  • The Chosen One (2007) (voice)
  • Lay the Favorite (2012)
  • The Kitchen (2012)
  • The Girl on the Train (2016)
  • The Hero (2017)
  • Come and Find Me (2016)

Books:

  • The Stash Plan: Your 21-Day Guide to Shed Weight, Feel Great, and Take Control of Your Health (2016) – co-authored
  • You and I, As Mothers (2020) – memoir

Other:

  • YouTube channel (cooking/lifestyle)