Lauren Lapkus is that kind of performer who can make you laugh without even trying—sometimes with just a look, a perfectly timed pause, or one of her wonderfully awkward one-liners. With her unique mix of offbeat charm and genuine heart, she’s built a one-of-a-kind career in Hollywood. Whether you remember her as the adorably awkward Susan Fischer from Orange Is the New Black or you’ve heard her hilarious voice in your favorite podcast, chances are Lauren has made you chuckle—or even laugh so hard you snorted.
Born Dorthea Lauren Allegra Lapkus in Evanston, Illinois, she’s more than just an actress or comedian—she’s a natural-born storyteller. Her work spans across TV, film, voice acting, and podcasting, making her a recognizable name (and voice) to audiences everywhere. From breakout roles in hit shows to unforgettable moments in comedies like The Wrong Missy, Lauren’s journey is proof that staying true to your weird and embracing your creativity can lead to something amazing.
Quick introduction
Field | Details |
Full Name | Dorthea Lauren Allegra Lapkus |
Date of Birth | September 6, 1985 |
Age (as of 2025) | 39 years |
Birthplace | Evanston, Illinois, United States |
Nationality | American |
Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Education | Evanston Township High School; DePaul University |
Occupation | Actress, Comedian, Voice Artist, Podcaster |
Years Active | 2005–present |
Spouse(s) | Chris Alvarado (m. 2014–div. 2016), Mike Castle (m. 2018–present) |
Children | 2 (including daughter Holly Castle) |
Siblings | Julian Lapkus (brother) |
Notable Roles | Susan Fischer (Orange Is the New Black), Jess (Crashing), Missy (The Wrong Missy) |
Voice Roles | Lotta (Harvey Girls Forever!), Jennifer Sh’reyan (Star Trek: Lower Decks), Mackenzie (Craig of the Creek) |
Podcasts | With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus, Threedom, Newcomers, Raised by TV |
Awards | Screen Actors Guild Award (Ensemble, 2015) |
Net Worth (Est.) | $5 million USD (as of March 2025) |
Wikipedia |
Lauren Lapkus Height and Early Life
So, how tall is Lauren Lapkus?
Lauren Lapkus stands at an impressive 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm). Her height has become a trademark feature, often influencing the roles she plays in Hollywood. She has even joked in interviews that being taller than most of her co-stars sometimes made casting directors hesitate.
Lauren was born as Dorthea Lauren Allegra Lapkus in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Raised in a loving and supportive family, she always had an artistic side. She attended Evanston Township High School and later went on to study at DePaul University, where she earned a degree in English.
Education
Lauren attended Evanston Township High School, where she began to explore her love for performance more seriously. She participated in the school’s annual variety show, YAMO, and started taking improv classes at the iO Theater in Chicago during her senior year. These early experiences gave her a taste of the stage and the thrill of making people laugh in real time.
After high school, Lauren enrolled at DePaul University in Chicago, where she majored in English. While her academic focus was on literature and writing, her heart remained in performance. She continued to perform improv regularly, often juggling late-night shows with early morning classes. Her time at DePaul helped her refine her voice—not just as a writer, but as a performer who could bring words to life.
How She Got Started in Comedy and Acting
Lauren began performing improv in high school and deepened her comedy skills at iO Theater and Upright Citizens Brigade. After graduating college, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment full-time.
She quickly found herself drawn to podcasting, sketch comedy, and quirky supporting roles—where she could use her deadpan humor and natural awkwardness to shine.
Entry into Acting
After graduating from DePaul University in 2008, Lauren Lapkus packed her bags and moved to New York City to chase her comedy dreams. Like many aspiring performers, she dove headfirst into the city’s buzzing improv and stand-up scene, performing regularly at UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade) and connecting with other up-and-coming comedians. It wasn’t always glamorous—she juggled odd jobs to make ends meet and often performed in front of tiny crowds—but her passion never wavered.
Her first taste of on-screen work came through commercials for brands like Snickers and Jack in the Box. These small gigs helped her build confidence in front of the camera and gave her a glimpse into the world of professional acting. A spot on Jimmy Kimmel Live! soon followed, giving her a bit of national exposure and a much-needed boost. In 2010, she made the big move to Los Angeles, where she quickly found an agent and started auditioning for TV roles—taking her first big steps into the entertainment industry.
Voice Acting Ventures
Lauren’s unique voice and expressive delivery have made her a go-to voice actor in recent years. She voiced Lotta in Harvey Girls Forever! (2018–2020), a lovable animated series on Netflix that introduced her to a younger audience. Her energetic, offbeat delivery gave Lotta the heart and humor that quickly won over viewers.
Other major animated credits include Craig of the Creek (2018–2023) as Mackenzie, Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020–2024) as Jennifer Sh’reyan, Inside Job (2021–2022) as Deany, Digman! (2023) as Gasolina, and American Dad! (2016–2021). Lauren’s voice work is characterized by playful inflections, emotional nuance, and razor-sharp timing—a skillset honed by years of improv and stand-up comedy.
Lauren Lapkus in Movies and TV Shows
Lauren Lapkus Movies and TV Shows
Lauren Lapkus has built a diverse portfolio across both big and small screens. Whether it’s her hilarious comedic roles or heartfelt performances, she continues to win hearts.
Popular Lauren Lapkus Movies:
- The Wrong Missy (2020) – A breakout lead comedy role opposite David Spade
- Jurassic World (2015) – Played the tech-savvy Vivian
- Holmes & Watson (2018) – Quirky supporting role
- Dog Days (2018)
- The Unicorn (2018)
- Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019)
Famous Lauren Lapkus TV Shows:
- Orange Is the New Black – Played prison guard Susan Fischer (fan-favorite role)
- The Big Bang Theory – Appeared as Denise, a geeky comic book store employee
- Good Girls – Played Phoebe Donnegan
- Crashing – Hilarious role in Pete Holmes’ HBO show
- Are You There, Chelsea? – One of her early gigs
- Comedy Bang! Bang! – Regular guest appearances
- Clipped – A short-lived sitcom with a cult following
Her versatility in both comedy and drama makes Lauren a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
Lauren Lapkus in Orange Is the New Black
One of Lauren’s biggest career breaks came with Netflix’s hit series “Orange Is the New Black”. She played Correctional Officer Susan Fischer, a well-meaning and often awkward CO who treated inmates with more respect than her male counterparts.
Although her role was not long-term, it left a lasting impression on the audience and opened up more doors in television and film. Fans still remember her moments with characters like Piper and Caputo.
Lauren Lapkus Big Bang Theory Role
In The Big Bang Theory, Lauren played Denise, a comic book store employee who eventually becomes Stuart’s girlfriend. Her witty banter and nerdy knowledge gave fans a breath of fresh air. She was one of the few female characters who could hold her own in geekdom.
The role showed her ability to naturally blend into established ensembles and still leave a mark.
Lauren Lapkus Relationships & Husband
Is Lauren Lapkus Married?
Yes! Lauren Lapkus is married to Mike Castle, a fellow actor and comedian. The couple tied the knot in October 2018 and frequently shares hilarious content on social media. Their chemistry is evident on and off the screen.
Previously, Lauren was married to actor Chris Alvarado in 2014, but the marriage ended in divorce in 2016.
Do They Have Kids?
Yes, Lauren and Mike welcomed their first daughter in July 2021. She occasionally posts sweet family moments on Instagram, keeping her daughter’s life mostly private.
Lauren Lapkus Net Worth (2025)
Lauren Lapkus has an estimated net worth of $2 million as of 2025. Her income sources include:
- Acting in movies and TV shows
- Podcasting (a growing income stream)
- Voice acting
- Appearances, brand deals, and merch
Thanks to hit movies like The Wrong Missy and Netflix royalties, her income has seen a consistent rise in the past five years.
Lauren Lapkus Podcast Career
One of Lauren’s strongest and most unique career moves was her transition into podcasting.
Popular Podcasts Hosted by Lauren:
- With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus – She invites a guest to host and play the lead while she plays a character. It’s improv genius.
- Threedom – Co-hosted with Paul F. Tompkins and Scott Aukerman
- Raised by TV – Co-hosted with Jon Gabrus, diving into 90s and 2000s television nostalgia
- Newcomers – Co-hosted with Nicole Byer, where they watch pop culture franchises for the first time (Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, etc.)
Her podcasting work has earned her a loyal online following and proven her improvisational talent.
Lauren Lapkus Brother and Family Life
While Lauren keeps her family life fairly private, she has mentioned having a brother who encouraged her to pursue acting when she was young. Growing up in Illinois, Lauren credits her upbringing for grounding her and helping her find confidence through humor.
She continues to speak highly of her parents and Midwestern values in interviews.
Breakthrough Role
In 2013, Lauren experienced the kind of career break most actors dream of. She was cast as Susan Fischer, the soft-spoken, endearing prison guard in Netflix’s hit series Orange Is the New Black. At the time, she had been steadily auditioning in Los Angeles, building momentum through small parts—but this was different. Susan Fischer wasn’t the lead, but Lauren’s nuanced performance brought rare empathy to the prison-drama landscape, striking a powerful chord with audiences.
The show itself was groundbreaking, praised for its inclusive cast and bold storytelling. For Lauren, being part of such a cultural phenomenon early in her television career gave her instant exposure to a global audience. Fans quickly took to her gentle, relatable portrayal—something rare in shows centered around grit and survival.
Filmography Highlights
Lauren’s big-screen debut came with Jurassic World (2015), where she played Vivian, a control room technician trying to help manage the chaos as dinosaurs broke loose. Lauren has a keen eye for picking projects that stand out—not just big-name films but indie comedies and cult favorites. She starred in The Unicorn (2018), a quirky romantic comedy, and Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019), which brought Zach Galifianakis’s absurdist humor from YouTube to Netflix.
But one of her most talked-about performances came in The Wrong Missy (2020), a rom-com produced by Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison. Starring opposite David Spade, Lauren played the titular Missy—a chaotic, unfiltered woman with a knack for creating havoc. The film became a surprise hit during the pandemic lockdown, trending at #1 on Netflix and making Lauren a household name almost overnight.
Her portrayal was a masterclass in physical comedy and comedic commitment. Love it or loathe it, her performance in The Wrong Missy showed the world she could headline a major comedy and carry it with confidence.
Lauren Lapkus Relationships With Co-stars and Friends
Lauren is known in the comedy community as one of the most collaborative, kind, and genuinely funny artists. She has close friendships with fellow comedians like:
- Nicole Byer
- Paul F. Tompkins
- Scott Aukerman
- Pete Holmes
These relationships often carry over into recurring roles, guest appearances, and podcasts—proving that the comedy world is a tight-knit family.
Lauren Lapkus Style and Public Persona
Lauren Lapkus isn’t just about laughs—she’s also known for her laid-back, quirky, and vintage-inspired fashion sense. She often dresses in colorful prints, comfy sweaters, and retro vibes, aligning perfectly with her unique comic energy.
She has spoken openly about body positivity, mental health, and the importance of embracing weirdness, making her a relatable icon to many fans.
Recent & Upcoming Projects (2025 Update)
Lauren continues to work actively across platforms. Some 2025 highlights include:
- New Netflix comedy special appearance
- Voice acting in an upcoming animated series
- Recurring role in a Hulu dramedy about motherhood
- Guest-hosting podcast festivals and comedy panels
She also hinted on her Instagram that she may be developing a new sketch comedy show, possibly collaborating with Nicole Byer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Lauren Lapkus’ height?
Lauren Lapkus is 5 feet 10 inches tall (1.78 meters).
2. What are Lauren Lapkus’ most popular movies and TV shows?
Movies: The Wrong Missy, Jurassic World
TV Shows: Orange Is the New Black, The Big Bang Theory, Good Girls
3. Who is Lauren Lapkus’ husband?
Lauren is married to actor and comedian Mike Castle.
4. What is Lauren Lapkus’ net worth?
As of 2025, her net worth is approximately $2 million.
5. Is Lauren Lapkus in Orange Is the New Black?
Yes, she played Correctional Officer Susan Fischer, a fan-favorite character.
6. What podcast does Lauren Lapkus host?
She’s hosted several, including With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus, Threedom, and Newcomers.
7. What role did Lauren play in The Big Bang Theory?
She played Denise, a comic book store employee who dates Stuart.
Final Thoughts
Whether you know her from her Netflix hits, laugh-out-loud podcasts, or unforgettable moments on Orange Is the New Black, Lauren Lapkus stands tall—literally and figuratively—as one of Hollywood’s most talented comedic voices.
Her height (5’10”), witty humor, and versatility have helped her build a unique career path. From her roles in iconic TV shows to her award-nominated podcast work, Lauren continues to charm audiences with every project.
