Published on July 19, 2014
Updated on March 9, 2015

Profile

Name: Laura Prepon (pronounced Pree-pon)
Birthday: March 7, 1980
Hometown: Watchung, New Jersey
Nationality: American
Occupation: Actress
Family: Mother is Marjorie Prepon who was a high school teacher; Father is Michael Prepon who was an orthopedic surgeon and died in 1993 or 1994; four siblings - one brother and three sisters - Brad, Stephanie, Jocelyn, and Danielle
Ethnicity/Background: Father from Jewish and Russian background; Mother was from Irish Catholic background
Height: 5 foot, 10 inches or 1.78 meters/178 centimeters
Eye Color: Green
Hair Color: Red (2)
Sexual Orientation: Straight
Right handed/Left handed: Right handed
Pet(s): One dog named Lambert who is a Rhodesian Ridgeback
Photo Credit: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images North America 
Photo Source: Zimbio
Gist
Laura Prepon and the Prepon family in a 
December 25, 2012 Instagram post
Laura Prepon in front of the Watchung, New Jersey sign in a September 24, 2012 Instagram post


Girl, let me tell you about Laura Prepon. She is one kickass human being. The youngest of five children, she grew up in New Jersey and is a proud Jersey girl. She comes from a family that is very open-minded, close-knit, and, at times, unorthodox (e.g., they perform "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" at all big family events or holidays). At the young age of fifteen, she began modeling, but after a short stint in Europe, she realized she wanted to pursue acting. At age eighteen, she booked the role of Donna Pinciotti on That '70s Show, which lasted eight years, and launched her career. Then, of course, she took on the role of Alex Vause on Orange is the New Black, which has introduced her to a whole new set of audiences, from young and old to straight and gay.

In the last group in particular, the lesbian community, Prepon has quickly become a lesbian icon by playing badass supreme, Alex Vause. Prepon, who is self-identified as straight, has consistently and repeatedly been supportive of playing a lesbian on-screen and of the greater GLBT community at large. Before season 2 of Orange is the New Black, Prepon was unfairly dogged by rumors that she was leaving the show because she allegedly disagreed with playing a gay role due to her belief in Scientology. This rumor was simply that - a rumor - which had no founding in any of her statements or history with the community. She quickly set the record straight and has never wavered in her enthusiasm for same-sex equality and love for her character, who just so happens to be a lesbian.

Prepon is, plain and simple, a cool cat. With her ridiculously sexy deep voice, ability to look good in any hair color (red, black, or blonde), and sincerely sweet approach to her fans and really anyone she deals with, she's a person you want to hang out with. She has a chill sensibility to her, making her easy to get along with and disliked by few. Not only that, she rides a motorcycle, enjoys UFC, and is a talented poker player. Oh yeah, and if you're talking to her and you happen to be female, she'll probably address you as "Girl." Her character, Alex Vause, may be the subject of adoration by many, but Prepon is the real deal and, arguably, she may be even cooler.
Quotes

"It's amazing. It's rad. No, but seriously, I will say the LGBT community is so fucking awesome. All right, I don't know if I can curse on here, but it's really, truly, it's such an amazing fanbase and they're, like, so supportive. . . . I love being a lesbian icon. It's awesome." - Laura Prepon on how she feels on being a lesbian icon in a June 24, 2014 interview with AfterEllen

"For me, I’ve never played a lesbian before and I think it’s awesome. . . .There is a big gay and lesbian community out there and it’s good to have more relationships on television that they can relate to and I’m glad we could be a part of that." - Laura Prepon in an August 13, 2013 interview with Canada.com

"[N]ot weirded out by acting as a lesbian in anyway, Alex is an incredible character!" - Laura Prepon in a September 18, 2013 tweet in response to someone tweeting that she was not going to play "Alex Vause" anymore because the "lesbian icon thing has weirded her out."

"Men never ask me out. I have an established career, I work, I support myself. And I find that it scares men, whereas women love it." - Laura Prepon in the June/July 2014 interview with Out Magazine

"Here's the thing - Making out with a girl on camera - they're beautiful and soft, and I get why you guys are into it." - Laura Prepon in an October 14, 2013 interview on The Arsenio Hall Show

Facts and Trivia
A class picture of Laura when she was younger via a May 19, 2014 Instagram post
Lambert Prepon via a 
September 16, 2012 Instagram post
Laura Prepon via an 
October 1, 2013 Instagram post


Gay Résumé
Picture
Alex Vause from Orange is the New Black
To my knowledge, Laura Prepon has played 3 roles that have touched upon the "gay":

  • Reanna Cass from Slackers - In this comedy from 2002, at one point, there is a fantasy scene where Reanna Cass, Angela Patton (played by Jaime King), and Ethan Dulles (played by Jason Schwartzman) engage in a ridiculously unappealing triple-kiss. It is short and done purely for comedy's sake. A link to the sequence is here: Slackers clip.


  • Alex Vause from Orange is the New Black - a former drug-dealer turned inmate who is one half of the ridiculously passionate and also dramatic ship - Vauseman. Alex is a badass, pure and simple. Sexy, smart, straightforward, while also being capable of being duplicitous and cutthroat, she does what she needs to survive. That being said, she's also still very vulnerable at times and capable of being a loving person, particularly when she's involved with her recurrent love interest, Piper Chapman, who Prepon describes as the love of Alex's life. Together, Prepon and Schilling have explosive chemistry on-screen and have both been very vocal of their support for that relationship. Orange is the New Black is currently on-air on Netflix and on DVD.
Interviews
Laura Prepon and Jason Biggs in a 
June 3, 2014 interview with Hey U Guys
Laura Prepon in a June 11, 2014 interview with VH1


Below are a list of some of her interviews (in chronological order):
  1. "She's All That" - People, September 27, 1999 (discusses smoking, father's death, That 70s Show, learning about the 70s, fashion style, her height, family, how she got into acting, and auditions)
  2. "Laura Prepon" - (video) The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, September 2000 (discusses That 70s Show, gift from boyfriend, pampering her horse, boyfriend, being starstruck by Johnny Depp, and John Travolta)
  3. "Laura Prepon" - (video) The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, April 2001 (discusses turning 21, being a homeowner, her mentally ill horse, new horse, gamble, making out with Jaime King and Jason Schwartzman, and playing 5 questions)
  4. "Laura Prepon" - (video) The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, date unknown, but it appears she is doing publicity for October Road, which began airing in 2007 (discusses October Road, blonde hair, New Jersey, That 70s Show, and UFC) 
  5. "A Conversation with Laura Prepon" - Women's Health Magazine, November 7, 2007 (discusses ABC drama October Road, holidays with her family, acting out Meatloaf's Paradise By the Dashboard Light, love for New Jersey, about being being a Scientologist, and working out)
  6. "Laura Prepon" - (video) Chelsea Lately, January 5, 2012 (discusses Are You There, Chelsea?, her family, making out with strangers on camera, and kissing Nathan Fillion after eating peanut butter pretzels)
  7. "Laura Prepon" - (video) The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, January 6, 2012 (discusses family background, family doing "Paradise By the Dashboard Light," karaoke, Are You There, Chelsea?, Chelsea Handler, vodka, Jersey Shore, feeding giraffes, and an awkward pause)
  8. "Laura Prepon is More Than Just a Drunk Chelsea Handler" - GQ, January 11, 2012 (discusses That 70s Show, Are You There, Chelsea?, drinking, Chelsea Handler, and women-driven comedies)
  9. "Q&A: Laura Prepon on Orange Is the New Black, Lesbianism, Tasteful Nudity & Prison" - Esquire, July 10, 2013 (discusses Alex Vause's love for Piper, playing a lesbian, chemistry with Taylor Schilling, prison, nudity, Jenji Kohan, and prison style)
  10. "Laura Prepon talks about her natural chemistry with Taylor Schilling" - AfterEllen, July 17, 2013 (discusses Alex Vause, Vauseman in season 1 of OITNB, the dryer scene in season 1, biggest challenges, tattoo envy, playing a lesbian, and the Netflix binge-watching format)
  11. "Laura Prepon, 'Orange Is The New Black' Star, On Playing A Drug-Smuggling Lesbian" - Huffington Post, July 26, 2013 (discusses Alex Vause, Alex's style, Alex's tattoos, playing Karla Homolka, Piper playing the victim, nudity and sex scenes, and working for Netflix)
  12. "Orange is the New Black’s Laura Prepon on rebuking lesbian advances and Lena Dunham’s Karla Homolka joke" - Canada.com, August 1, 2013 (discusses how she got the role of Alex Vause, the character Alex Vause, nudity, chemistry with Taylor Schilling, portraying a gay character, the GLBT community, lesbian fans, and Karla Homolka)
  13. "Orange is the New Black's Laura Prepon: 'Piper is Just as Toxic as Alex'" - TV Guide, August 11, 2013 (discusses response to OITNB, Alex Vause, Vauseman, why Alex falls in love with Piper, the creation of Alex Vause, Alex's style, what she loves about Alex Vause, fan art, season 2, Alex's relationship with Nichols, and season 2)
  14. "Jersey girl Laura Prepon a drug-smuggling lesbian on 'Orange is the New Black'" - NJ.com, August 15, 2013 (discusses OITNB, childhood, family, modeling, acting, and her continued contact with those she knows in NJ)
  15. "OITNB’s Laura Prepon on Dancing to ‘Milkshake,’ Singing Meatloaf, and the Mystery of Real-Life Alex" - Vulture, August 16, 2013 (discusses the real Alex Vause, the character Alex Vause, Vause and Nichols' relationship, having the "Milkshake" dance in OITNB be choreographed, family traditions, poker, Neighbros, working with ex-boyfriend on Neighbros, and female friendships)
  16. "Lesbians Love Laura Prepon" - (video) The Arsenio Hall Show, October 14, 2013 (discusses first scene on OITNB, chemistry with Taylor Schilling, reactions of lesbians to her, and kissing a woman)
  17. "Laura Prepon" - All Hollow Magazine, Spring 2014 (discusses her affinity for being around groups of varying people/friends, poker, prison, how she prepared to be Alex Vause, what scared her about doing OITNB, directing, Neighbros, other projects, TV shows she enjoys, hobbies, DJ-ing, religious background, and Scientology) 
  18. "Laura Prepon shoots down Tom Cruise rumors" - SheKnows, April 21, 2014 (discusses rumors, supporting the GLBT community, Tom Cruise, and Scientology)
  19. "Orange is the New Black’s Laura Prepon on the Return of Alex Vause and Tom Cruise Dating Rumors" - The Daily Beast, April 22, 2014 (discusses scheduling for season 2 of OITNB, rumors about being with Tom Cruise, the real Alex Vause's interview with Vanity Fair, season 2 of OITNB, That 70s Show, how she got the role of Alex Vause, Alex Vause, being directed by Jodie Foster and Andrew McCarthy, favorite season 1 scenes, and what she enjoys about OITNB)
  20. "Laura Prepon on Alex Vause's extended stay on 'Orange Is the New Black'" - Entertainment Weekly, April 23, 2014 (discusses rumors of leaving the show because of her religion's anti-LGBT stance, Alex Vause, reason for limited appearance on season 2 of OITNB, and season 2 of OITNB)
  21. "Orange Is The New Black: Jason Biggs and Laura Prepon want Oprah Winfrey on the show" - (video) The Showbiz 411, May 29, 2014 (discusses what she likes about Larry Bloom, love of her character, season 2, and OITNB being ill-suited for cameos/guest stars)
  22. "The Cast of 'Orange is the New Black'" - (video) Alan Carr, June 1, 2014 (discusses shooting at an active prison and almost getting locked in with the inmates)
  23. "Orange is the New Black exclusive interview - Laura Prepon" - Female First, June 1, 2014 (discusses getting the role of Alex Vause, why people like Alex Vause, Vauseman in season 2, fan response to rumors of her leaving the show, favorite scenes, hopes for her character, OITNB cast, and her desire to write and direct)
  24. "Jason Biggs and Laura Prepon Interview - Orange is the New Black Season 2" - (video) HeyUGuys, June 3, 2014 (discusses response of audience to OITNB, season 2, fans' love for Alex Vause, Jenji Kohan, progression of characters, and categorization of OITNB as comedy vs. drama)
  25. "Cover Interview: Laura Prepon" - g3, June 4, 2014 (discusses popularity of OITNB, benefits and downfalls of fame, rumors about leaving the show or having a limited role, the LGBT community, Tom Cruise rumors, desires to direct, Jodie Foster, what she does in her free time, poker, whether she's dating anyone, her familiarity with the UK, and doing modeling)
  26. "'Orange is the New Black' Season 2 Cast Interviews" - (video) Media Devour, June 4, 2014 (discusses Vauseman, popularity of the show, Jenji Kohan, binge watching, rekindling love relationships, what Alex and Piper bring out in each other, Alex Vause, and flashback scenes)
  27. "Jason Biggs likes to watch TV with no pants on" - (video) London Live, June 4, 2014 (discusses popularity of OITNB, London, and guest stars)
  28. "Laura Prepon on Life Behind TV Bars" - (video) Today Show, June 10, 2014 (discusses Are You There, Chelsea?, popularity of OITNB, fans' adoration of Alex Vause, season 2, and contraband for characters)
  29. "Laura Prepon" (Part 2) - (video) Big Morning Buzz Live, June 11, 2014 (discusses season 2 of OITNB, working with Jodie Foster, the set of OITNB, shooting flashback scenes, hair color, McClure's pickles, family performing Meatloaf's "Paradise By the Dashboard Light," Steven Tyler, Johnny Depp, That 70s Show, kickboxing, and UFC)
  30. "Watchung's Laura Prepon still breaking the mold" - Inside Jersey Magazine, June 13, 2014 (discusses family and growing up in New Jersey, modeling, how she got into acting, That 70s Show, OITNB, Netflix, directing, and visiting family in NJ)
  31. "Orange Is the New Black's Laura Prepon Shows Off Major Cleavage" - E!, June 20, 2014 (discusses comfort with doing sex scenes with Taylor Schilling and diversity on OITNB)
  32. "Orange is the New Black's Laura Prepon and Jason Biggs Interview" - (video) AfterEllen, June 24, 2014 (discusses Vauseman and its popularity, chemistry with Taylor Schilling, imperfections of each character, and being a lesbian icon)
  33. "OITNB's Laura Prepon & Jason Biggs On Piper/Alex, Lesbian Sex God Status & the Dangers of Larry's Irrelevance" - SheWired, June 26, 2014 (discusses limited role in season 2 of OITNB, season 3 of OITNB, That 70s Show, interacting with fans, her love for Alex Vause, and chemistry between Vauseman/Taylor and Laura)
  34. "Interview With ‘Orange Is The New Black’ Star Laura Prepon" - OITNB Beyond, June 26, 2014 (discusses the fight scene for episode 2.10, how she thinks Alex and Vee would have interacted, importance of Alex's glasses, favorite quote, guest stars, what she does with free time on the set, favorite episodes/storylines, how she stays in shape, fans, and plays "This or That")
  35. "Why Orange Is the New Black's Laura Prepon Says She Isn't Dating" - Cosmopolitan, June 27, 2014 (discusses her dating life, online dating, Alex's softer side, Nichols' impression of Alex in season 2, season 3, and Vauseman)
  36. "Jason Biggs and Laura Prepon Talk Orange is the New Black Season 2, Expectations for the Show, Their Character Journeys, and More" - Collider, July 1, 2014 (discusses expectations about OITNB, the vibe on the OITNB set, wardrobe for OITNB, limited role in season 2, working with Netflix and Jenji Kohan, and how she felt about Alex's season 2 storyline)
  37. "Laura Prepon Chats About OITNB, Her Eccentric Family and More!" - (video) The Queen Latifah Show, July 22, 2014 (discusses similarities with Queen Latifah, her mother's eccentric cooking, growing up without rules, moving to Italy by herself at age 15, family tradition of performing "Paradise By the Dashboard Light," OITNB, predominantly female cast, shooting OITNB, and karaoke)
  38. "OITNB's Jason Biggs and Laura Prepon Discuss the Pros and Cons of Playing Horrible People" - TV Guide, July 24, 2014 (discusses Alex Vause, Vauseman, Season 2 of OITNB, OITNB fans, Alex's attraction to Piper, and the changing nature of Vauseman)
Resources and Links
  1. Laura Prepon IMDB page
  2. Laura Prepon Instagram page
  3. Laura Prepon Twitter page
  4. Laura Prepon Wikipedia page


OITNB Beyond - Great source of Orange is the New Black-related info, including info regarding Laura Prepon
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