Lauren Lapkus is an American actress, comedian, impressionist, and podcaster, best known for playing prison guard Susan Fischer in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Her work spans live improv, television and film comedy, voice acting, and a steady stream of podcast projects.
Born on September 6, 1985, in Evanston, Illinois — with some sources listing Chicago as her birthplace — Lapkus started performing sketch comedy at a young age. She later studied at DePaul University and trained with improv troupes associated with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Chicago and Los Angeles.
Her full legal name is Dorthea Lauren Allegra Lapkus. Most audiences know her simply as Lauren, but the longer version of her name appears across industry databases, casting records, and profile listings.
Who Is Lauren Lapkus? Real Name, Age, and Background
Lapkus’s full name is Dorthea Lauren Allegra Lapkus, according to her IMDb profile. She was born on September 6, 1985, in Evanston, Illinois. Some sources, including Rotten Tomatoes, list Chicago as her birthplace instead.
Comedy came early. TV Guide notes that Lapkus performed sketch comedy at a young age with her brother. She went on to study at DePaul University, then performed improv in Chicago and Los Angeles with troupes tied to the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.
September 6, 1985
Dorthea Lauren Allegra Lapkus
Susan Fischer in “Orange Is the New Black”
@laurenlapkus on Instagram · 639K followers
A few key points sum up her public profile:
- Lapkus is a multi-hyphenate entertainer who moves between live improv, television, film, and podcasting.
- Her role as Susan Fischer in Orange Is the New Black remains her breakout performance and the work most connected to her name.
- Podcasting has become a defining part of her comedy career, including collaborations with Mary Holland and Nicole Byer.
- Her sitcom guest appearances, especially The Big Bang Theory, attract as much search interest as her film roles.
- She maintains active social media profiles that serve as a direct channel to her audience.
- Chicago improv and sketch training shaped the screen persona visible across her on-screen work.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full legal name | Dorthea Lauren Allegra Lapkus |
| Date of birth | September 6, 1985 |
| Place of birth | Evanston, Illinois (some sources say Chicago) |
| Occupation | Actress, comedian, impressionist, podcaster |
| Education | DePaul University |
| Known for | Susan Fischer in Orange Is the New Black |
| Notable film credits | Jurassic World, The Wrong Missy, Holmes & Watson |
| Podcasts | With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus, Threedom, Newcomers: Sports |
| Marital status | Married to Mike Castle since October 5, 2018 |
What Movies and TV Shows Has Lauren Lapkus Appeared In?
Lapkus’s television credits include Orange Is the New Black, Crashing, Are You There, Chelsea?, Hot in Cleveland, Clipped, Good Girls, and Harvey Girls Forever!, according to industry databases and streaming listings. IMDb also places her in The Big Bang Theory during the 2018–2019 season.
What TV Roles Is She Best Known For?
Susan Fischer in Orange Is the New Black is the role that defines her television career. Beyond that, her TV appearances are mostly guest roles and recurring comedy parts. The Big Bang Theory credit, listed by IMDb for 2018–2019, is among the most frequently searched items in her filmography.
What Are Her Most Notable Film Roles?
Her film work includes Jurassic World, The Wrong Missy, The Unicorn, Dog Days, Holmes & Watson, Are You Here, and The Curse of Bridge Hollow. Fandango highlights her steady presence across comedy-heavy features.
Why Is The Wrong Missy So Prominent in Her Career?
The Wrong Missy, released on Netflix in 2020, is one of Lapkus’s best-known film roles in recent years. Industry databases such as IMDb and Apple’s listing treat it as a headline credit in her filmography.
Podcasting is a significant part of Lapkus’s comedy output. Apple’s listing credits her with hosting or appearing on several shows, including With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus, Threedom, and Newcomers: Sports with Nicole Byer.
Other biographical profiles of comedy actresses in the same space include Melissa Fumero – Age, Husband, Movies & TV Shows.
Did Lauren Lapkus Appear in The Big Bang Theory or Brooklyn Nine-Nine?
These two questions appear constantly in searches about Lapkus, and each leads to a different answer.
Did Lauren Lapkus Appear in The Big Bang Theory?
Yes. IMDb lists Lapkus as appearing in The Big Bang Theory during the 2018–2019 season. The database records reviewed do not specify the episode title or character details, but the credit is present on her official profile.
Is Lauren Lapkus Connected to Brooklyn Nine-Nine or Gina Linetti?
The sources gathered do not confirm a credited role for Lapkus in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The connection appears to stem from the character Gina Linetti, who is played by Chelsea Peretti on that show. Neither IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, nor Apple TV’s listing shows Lapkus playing Gina Linetti or holding a credited association with the series.
Gina Linetti is a Brooklyn Nine-Nine character portrayed by Chelsea Peretti. Public records do not connect Lauren Lapkus to that role or to the show.
What Was Lauren Lapkus’s Role in Orange Is the New Black?
Lapkus played Susan Fischer, a prison guard in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. She appeared across seasons 1 and 2, and the role became the breakthrough that most viewers associate with her name. The Television Academy notes that her work on the show drew attention and connected to the ensemble recognition the series earned through SAG awards.
Fischer is consistently cited in Lapkus’s biographies as the reason audiences first took notice. The Netflix series gave her a platform inside one of streaming television’s most talked-about ensembles.
When Did Lauren Lapkus’s Key Career and Life Milestones Happen?
A timeline helps order the public record of Lapkus’s career and personal life. The dates below draw from her Wikipedia biography and her Edna.cz profile.
- — Born as Dorthea Lauren Allegra Lapkus in Evanston, Illinois.
- — Played Susan Fischer in Orange Is the New Black (seasons 1–2).
- — Married to Chris Alvarado.
- — Married actor Mike Castle.
- — Appeared in the Netflix film Between Two Ferns: The Movie.
- — Co-starred in the Netflix comedy The Wrong Missy.
- — Continues improv projects and podcast appearances, including Threedom and With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus.
- — A premiere for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has been reported, though the exact year requires official confirmation.
Which Lauren Lapkus Details Are Confirmed and Which Are Not?
Some facts about Lapkus are firmly established across multiple sources. Others circulate online without a clear primary source.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Full legal name: Dorthea Lauren Allegra Lapkus | Height: commonly listed as 5 ft 10 in (178 cm), but not confirmed by a first-party source |
| Date of birth: September 6, 1985 | Brooklyn Nine-Nine: no credited role appears in available listings |
| Known for: Susan Fischer in Orange Is the New Black | The Big Bang Theory: IMDb lists a 2018–2019 credit, but episode details are not specified in gathered records |
| Older brother: Julian Lapkus | Stuart Fails to Save the Universe: a July 23 premiere has been reported, but the exact year needs official confirmation |
| Married to Mike Castle since October 5, 2018; previously married to Chris Alvarado (2014–2016) |
The most common unresolved item is Lapkus’s height. Both Wikibiostar and HealthyCeleb list her at roughly 5 ft 10 in (178 cm). Neither is a primary source, so the figure should be treated as approximate until an interview or official profile confirms it.
Biography listings mention her older brother, Julian Lapkus, but no further public details about him appear in the gathered sources. The upcoming project Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has been announced with a July 23 premiere date. Available sources do not confirm the exact year.
What Is Lauren Lapkus’s Comedy and Podcasting Background?
Lapkus’s comedy identity was built in Chicago. She started performing sketch comedy at a young age, studied at DePaul University, and worked with improv troupes connected to the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Those roots remained central to her approach as she moved into television and film.
Podcasting gave her a second creative home. Apple’s podcast listing for Lapkus credits her with hosting or appearing on several shows, including With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus, Threedom, and Newcomers: Sports with Nicole Byer. It also documents collaborations with fellow improvisers such as Mary Holland.
Her career follows a modern pattern: scripted Netflix projects, live improv stages, and podcast studios in parallel. That combination is central to her public identity.
Where Can You Verify Information About Lauren Lapkus?
The strongest sources for Lapkus’s career are industry databases and her own social media accounts. IMDb and Wikipedia cover her professional credits in detail, while her social profiles provide direct updates.
“Dorthea Lauren Allegra Lapkus is an American actress, comedian, impressionist, and podcaster.”
IMDb profile
“Improv & fun times & laughs! 🍒”
Instagram bio (@laurenlapkus)
“Lauren Lapkus is an actress and comedian.”
Facebook page description
Her Instagram account has roughly 639,000 followers, and her Facebook page lists around 270,000 likes. Both serve as official channels for live show announcements and project news. The MN2S booking agency also maintains a professional profile used for booking inquiries.
What Should You Take Away About Lauren Lapkus?
Lauren Lapkus is a versatile American actress, comedian, impressionist, and podcaster. She remains best known for playing Susan Fischer in Orange Is the New Black, with additional credits spanning Jurassic World, The Wrong Missy, and a wide range of comedy podcasts. Connections between Lapkus and Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Gina Linetti are not supported by the available records. For a similar look at another actress balancing television and film, see Kristen Bell: Movies, Husband, Kids, Net Worth, Height & More (2025).
Frequently Asked Questions About Lauren Lapkus
What is Lauren Lapkus’s age?
She was born on September 6, 1985, making her 38 or 39 years old as of 2025, depending on the exact date.
What is Lauren Lapkus known for?
She is best known for playing Susan Fischer, a prison guard, in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Her film credits also include Jurassic World, The Wrong Missy, Holmes & Watson, and The Curse of Bridge Hollow.
Did Lauren Lapkus play Gina Linetti?
No. Gina Linetti is played by Chelsea Peretti on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Available records do not show Lapkus playing the character or holding a credited role on the show.
Where was Lauren Lapkus born?
She was born in Evanston, Illinois, on September 6, 1985. Some sources list Chicago as her birthplace.
Who is Lauren Lapkus’s husband?
She is married to actor Mike Castle. They married on October 5, 2018. She was previously married to Chris Alvarado from 2014 to 2016.
Does Lauren Lapkus have a brother?
Yes. Biography listings mention her older brother, Julian Lapkus.
What podcasts has Lauren Lapkus hosted or appeared on?
She has hosted or appeared on With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus, Threedom, and Newcomers: Sports with Nicole Byer, among other comedy podcasts.
Olivia Hartley is Business & Economy Correspondent at DailyCity.co.uk, reporting on the city economy, property, retail, hospitality and employment.