Natasha Lyonne

Natasha Bianca Lyonne Braunstein ( ; born April 4, 1979) is an American actress and producer. Lyonne started her career as a child actress before expanding her career taking on mature roles in film and television, for which she was nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, and named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2023. Lyonne made her first uncredited appearance in Heartburn (1986), had a recurring role in Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986), and a supporting role in Dennis the Menace (1993). She transitioned to taking on teen roles in several independent films such as Everyone Says I Love You (1996), Slums of Beverly Hills (1998), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), and Party Monster (2003), as well as the American Pie film series (1999–2012).

She found a career resurgence and Emmy Award-nominations for her performances as Nicky Nichols in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019), co-created, wrote, directed, and executive produced the Netflix series Russian Doll (2019–2022), and starred in the Peacock series Poker Face (2023–2025) and the Netflix film His Three Daughters (2024).

In 2025, she publicly revealed herself as the co-founder of the artificial intelligence film studio Asteria, founded with her boyfriend Bryn Mooser in 2022 with the intent to create animated feature films with AI tools.

Early life and education Natasha Bianca Lyonne Braunstein was born on April 4, 1979, in New York City, Her mother was born in Paris, to Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor parents.

Lyonne has joked that her family consists of "my father's side, Flatbush, and my mother's side, Auschwitz". came from a large family, but only she and her two sisters and two brothers survived, which Lyonne has attributed to their blond hair and blue eyes. She and her family emigrated to Israel, where she spent a year and a half. While in Israel, Lyonne participated in the 1989 Israeli children's film April Fool , which began her interest in acting. Her parents divorced, and Lyonne and her older brother, Adam, returned to the United States with their mother. where she was a scholarship student who took Talmud classes and read Aramaic. She did not graduate from high school, leaving before her senior year to attend a film program at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, which she attended for a short time, studying film and philosophy.

Lyonne was estranged from her father, who was a Democratic candidate for New York City Council for the sixth District of Manhattan in 2013, and lived on the Upper West Side until his death in October 2014. She has said she was not close to her mother, who died in 2013, and has essentially lived independently of her family since age 16. She was cast as recurring character Opal on Pee-wee's Playhouse at age seven, where she appeared between September and December 1986, and made her film debut that same year with a small part in the Mike Nichols comedy-drama Heartburn. Of her time working as a child actor, Lyonne later said, "I had to become coherent and a businesswoman at six. By 10, I was a jaded professional ... I don't think [my parents] knew better. It was a decision of [theirs] built on hopeful ignorance". Writing for The Washington Post, Michael O'Sullivan said, "Lyonne is marvelous in conveying Vivian's combination of confusion, curiosity, disgust and desire at what body and psyche are going through. After playing a string of people's daughters [in other films], Lyonne really comes into her own here as an actress, registering as a person and not merely someone's little girl".

In 1999, Lyonne starred as Megan Bloomfield, a sexually confused teenager, in the satirical romantic comedy But I'm a Cheerleader. Despite a mixed critical reception upon release, the film was instrumental in raising awareness of the harms of conversion therapy, and has since developed a cult following. In the same year, Lyonne played the small but crucial part of Jessica in American Pie (1999) —which grossed over US$230 million at the box office —reprising the role in two of the film's sequels. Other film appearances in 1999 included Christine in Detroit Rock City and a headline role in Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby. The latter, a follow-up to the 1996 original, was poorly received due to its violence and vulgarity, but Lyonne's portrayal of teenage prostitute Crystal Van Meuther was praised for its "earthy, hard-boiled" nature.

2000–2010: Mainstream and independent films Lyonne at a screening of The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle in 2009. Lyonne played the part of Jeanne, a college activist fighting for lesbian equality, in the acclaimed 2000 television film If These Walls Could Talk 2. She then appeared in the well-received Holocaust drama The Grey Zone (2001), and continued to work steadily through the early 2000s, in mainstream projects such as Scary Movie 2 and Kate & Leopold (both 2001), and Blade: Trinity (2004), as well as smaller productions such as Zig Zag (2002), Die, Mommie, Die! and Party Monster (both 2003), Madhouse (2004), and My Suicidal Sweetheart (2005). Next, she headlined the 2009 experimental dark comedy The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle, which was described as "relentlessly strange, courageous, and hyperactive" by The Austin Chronicle. Her portrayal of Debbie Tennis, a psychotic serial killer, in the 2010 horror parody All About Evil was particularly well received, with Film Threat commenting, "[its director] rightfully treats Lyonne as the superstar she is, giving us glimpses of the dark residing in [her] that made Freeway 2: Confessions of a Trick Baby [sic] the final cult masterpiece of the 20th century", noting that "her ability to unleash firehoses of ferocity is on full display here".

Lyonne made her New York stage debut in the 2008 production of Mike Leigh's Two Thousand Years at the Acorn Theatre. —an off-Broadway play by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, based on the book by Ilene Beckerman. In 2010, Lyonne received positive notices for her performance in Kim Rosenstock's comedy Tigers Be Still at the Roundabout Theatre Company, with Charles Isherwood commenting in his review for The New York Times: "Ms. Lyonne [is] a thorough delight in the flat-out funniest role, the grief-crazed Grace, so deeply immersed in self-pity that she has cast aside any attempts at decorum". Lyonne starred in the 2011 production of Tommy Nohilly's Blood from a Stone at the Acorn Theatre. The following year, she participated in a benefit performance of Women Behind Bars.

2011–2022: career resurgence and awards success

Lyonne had a supporting role in Abel Ferrara's post-apocalyptic drama 4:44 Last Day on Earth (2011), which Movieline called "weirdly compelling". Two years later, she began appearing on the Netflix comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black; her first television job as a series regular. Critics were effusive about her portrayal of prison inmate Nicky Nichols, for which she received a nomination for the 2014 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, and was twice awarded—alongside her co-stars—the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2015; 2017).

Lyonne's work as hard-partying Lou in Antibirth (2016), a psychedelic horror feature inspired by the films of David Cronenberg, drew special attention; Alex McLevy wrote in a review for The A.V. Club, "The actor has experienced a remarkable resurgence in the past few years ... Here, she channels her storied past to play Lou... drug-addled... plays to Lyonne's strengths—a bluntly outsized personality, brash but likable, with a self-destructive streak bigger than the podunk town in which the story unfolds". Other film credits of hers include Sleeping with Other People, Hello, My Name Is Doris, Addicted to Fresno, Hashtag Horror (all 2015); Yoga Hosers, The Intervention (both 2016); Handsome (2017), Show Dogs (2018), Honey Boy (2019), and James Gray's science fiction thriller Ad Astra (2019).

Lyonne made her directorial debut in the fall of 2017 with a surrealist short film, Cabiria, Charity, Chastity, for fashion brand KENZO. Shot by cinematographer Chung-Hoon-Chung, the film follows Chastity, a vaudeville performer, coming to terms with her past. In addition to writing and directing episodes of Russian Doll and Poker Face, Lyonne directed an episode of Orange is the New Black in its final season, and one episode each of the Hulu shows Shrill and High Fidelity.

After the final season of Orange Is the New Black, Lyonne began starring as Nadia Vulvokov—a woman trapped in a time loop at her 36th birthday party—on Russian Doll, a comedy-drama series she created and produced along with Leslye Headland and Amy Poehler. Debuting on Netflix in February 2019, the show was met with rave reviews, with Lucy Mangan of The Guardian calling it "fine [and] impressive," adding, "Nadia is a magnificent creation and Lyonne gives a performance to match". Meanwhile, Alan Sepinwall wrote in his review for Rolling Stone:

Russian Doll has had two seasons, earning Lyonne three Primetime Emmy nominations: Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Lyonne portrayed American actress Tallulah Bankhead in Lee Daniels' The United States vs. Billie Holiday, a biographical drama based on the life and career of jazz singer Billie Holiday, in 2021. She made a cameo appearance as herself in the Rian Johnson-directed mystery thriller Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery the following year, and hosted the season 47 finale of Saturday Night Live, where she performed a five-minute monologue about her career and personal troubles.

2022–present: Artificial intelligence film studio In 2022, Lyonne co-founded artificial intelligence film studio Asteria with her boyfriend Bryn Mooser, the company operating with the intent to create animated feature films with AI tools that would author, animate, manage, produce the soundtrack for, and turn out the films using responsibly sourced data. the series was positively reviewed, with Nick Hilton of The Independent calling it "satisfyingly pacy and pulpy", while saying of Lyonne, "[she's] a bundle of unhinged charisma". The show returned for a second season in 2025.

In December 2024, Lyonne voiced the character Byrdie in two episodes of the animated series What If...?. In 2025 she appeared as Rachel Rozman in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

In June 2025, Lyonne revealed the existence of Asteria and her position as its co-founder.

Companies In 2019, Lyonne co-founded the production company Animal Pictures with Maya Rudolph. Its first greenlit project was the sketch comedy special Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine (2020), which Lyonne directed. The company also produces Russian Doll, Poker Face, Loot, and the animated series The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy. It was announced in October 2023 that Rudolph had parted ways with the company, leaving Lyonne to operate by herself under the Animal banner. In May 2024, she signed a deal with production company Sister, who will collaborate with Lyonne on upcoming Animal projects. In September 2024, Deadline announced that Animal Pictures, along with Objective Fictions, would produce a new "retro series for Sky titled Force & Majeure" starring Lyonne and Matt Berry.

Asteria In 2022, Lyonne co-founded the artificial intelligence film studio Asteria with her boyfriend Bryn Mooser, which aims to create animated feature films using AI tools and responsibly sourced data.

Style and influences Regarding her directorial style, Lyonne has expressed frustration with the "simplicity" of modern filmmaking, saying that she likes to counteract this by "filling the frame with an abundance of information", adding: "I do think there's a danger in telling people that brightly lit, crisp things that make perfect sense are good storytelling". She also believes that research is key to a successful narrative: "Read as many books, watch as many movies, and listen to as much music as you can so that you actually understand the stories that you're telling".

Lyonne has cited John Cassavetes, Peter Falk, Lou Reed, Nora Ephron, and Delia Ephron as being professional inspirations.

In 2019, Lyonne and Chloë Sevigny helped organize a crowdfund to restore the 1980 film Out of the Blue from its original elements. Both actresses have cited the film as an influence.

Public image Lyonne has been featured on the covers of magazines including Backstage, Bust, Diva, Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, The Hollywood Reporter, Interview, Nylon, Out, Paper, Variety, Venus, and TheWrap.

Personal life In 1997, Lyonne used her paycheck from Everyone Says I Love You to buy an apartment near Gramercy Park.

Relationships Estranged from her biological family, Lyonne has discussed the importance of the chosen family she has developed through friends and collaborators. She counts Katherine Waterston, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, and Janicza Bravo among her personal friends; she is particularly close to Melanie Lynskey and Clea DuVall. She said of her friendship with Chloë Sevigny, "[She is] more than my best friend, she might have actually morphed into [being] my sister". Lyonne is also close to Aubrey Plaza.

On 26 January 2026, Lyonne posted on Twitter, "#comingout #queer."

Lyonne dated Edward Furlong in the late 1990s and Andrew Zipern in the early 2010s. She began dating comedian and actor Fred Armisen in 2014, but confirmed in April 2022 that the relationship had ended. By 2022, Lyonne was dating Bryn Mooser, with whom she founded the artificial intelligence film studio Asteria. Lyonne publicly announced the two's status and plans in June 2025. and for incidents involving threatening her neighbors. In 2005, she was evicted by her landlord, actor Michael Rapaport, following complaints by other tenants about her behavior.

In 2005, Lyonne was admitted—under a pseudonym—to Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan, suffering from hepatitis C, infective endocarditis, and a collapsed lung; she was also undergoing methadone treatment for heroin addiction. In January 2006, a warrant was issued for her arrest after she missed a court hearing relating to her prior legal problems. Her lawyer said an emergency had arisen, but did not give details. Later in the same year, Lyonne was admitted to a drug and alcohol treatment center; she appeared in court afterwards, and the judge entered a conditional discharge.

Lyonne underwent open-heart surgery in 2012 to correct heart valve damage caused by her previous heart infection. She quit smoking in 2023 but resumed in 2024.

Interests A fan of crossword puzzles, Lyonne designed one for The New York Times in 2019. During the 2023 WGA strike, she auctioned off the opportunity for fans to solve a New York Times crossword with her to raise money for the Union Solidarity Coalition. Her other interests include philosophy and classic cinema.

Lyonne has a pet Maltipoo dog named Rootbeer, who regularly makes appearances on her social media and in interviews.

Works and performances Film

+ Year Title Role Notes 1986 Heartburn Rachel's Niece Uncredited My Suicidal Sweetheart Grace 2008 Tricks of a Woman Sally 2009 Tracy Jelly Mona Hammel Goyband Fani Running Away with Blackie Motel Clerk Short film Outrage: Born in Terror Molly Heterosexuals Ellia 2010 All About Evil Deborah Tennis 2011 4:44 Last Day on Earth Tina Night Club Mrs. Keaton 2012 American Reunion Jessica 2013 7E Yael He's Way More Famous Than You Herself Cheryl G.B.F. Ms. Hogel Girl Most Likely Allyson Clutter Lisa Bradford 2014 Loitering with Intent Kaplan 2015 Addicted to Fresno Martha Jackson Sleeping with Other People Kara Hello, My Name Is Doris Sally Bloomin Mud Shuffle Jock #Horror Emma 2016 Yoga Hosers Tabitha Collette Sarah Darby Forever The Baddest Girl Short film Antibirth Lou Also producer Adam Green's Aladdin Mom Herself Short film Jack Goes Home Nancy 2017 Girlfriend's Day Miss Taft Handsome Det. Fleur Scozzari Cabiria, Charity, Chastity Jules Short film; Also producer, writer, and director 2018 Anne Beatts Family Rebecca the Juggalette Show Dogs Mattie Doulo Rena Short film 2019 Honey Boy Mrs. Lort Ad Astra Tanya Pincus Uncut Gems Boston Player Personnel (voice) 2020 Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics Herself Irresistible Tina De Tessant 2021 Tallulah Bankhead 2022 Sirens Executive producer Crush Producer DC League of Super-Pets Merton (voice) 2024 Pat (voice) Short film 2025 Smurfs Mama Poot (voice) The Fantastic Four: First Steps Rachel Rozman Doom / "Susan" (voice) 2026 Roommates Hannah Weisz Shopkeeper Post-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes 1986 Pee-wee's Playhouse Opal 6 episodes 2000 Will & Grace Gillian Episode: "Girl Trouble" If These Walls Could Talk 2 Jeanne Television film 2001 Night Visions Bethany Daniels Episode: "If a Tree Falls" 2002 Grounded for Life Gretchen Episode: "Relax!" 2007 Female Co-Star Episode: "Operation: Rent Money" 2009 Loving Leah Esther Television film 2011 New Girl Gretchen Episode: "Wedding" Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Gia Eskas Episode: "Educated Guess" 2012 Weeds Tiffani 2 episodes 2013 NTSF:SD:SUV:: Mrs. Barbato Episode: "Comic Con-Air" 2013–2019 Orange Is the New Black Nicky Nichols Main role; 81 episodes; Director: "The Hidey Hole" 2015 Girls Rickey Episode: "Iowa" Comedy Bang! Bang! Katie Episode: "Dax Shepard Wears a Heather Grey Shirt and Black Blazer" Sanjay and Craig Chido (voice) Episode: "Bike-o Psycho" 2011 Blood from a Stone Sarah Tommy Nohilly Acorn Theatre 2012 Women Behind Bars Cheri Tom Eyen Acorn Theater (benefit performance) 2013 Crimes of the Heart Chick Boyle Beth Henley Acorn Theater (stage reading)

Music videos Year Song Artist Notes 2003 "Way Out West" Verbena 2015 "Lampshades on Fire" Modest Mouse 2016 "333" Against Me!

Awards and nominations Organizations Year Category Project Result Astra TV Awards 2024 Best Streaming Series, Comedy Poker Face Best Actress in a Streaming Series, Comedy 2025 Best Actress in a Comedy Series Chicago Film Critics Association 1999 Most Promising Actress Slums of Beverly Hills 2024 Best Supporting Actress His Three Daughters Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actress in a Comedy Series Poker Face Dorian Awards 2019 TV Performance of the Year – ActressRussian Doll 2022 Best TV Performance 2023 Best TV Performance – Comedy Poker Face Fangoria Chainsaw Awards 2017 Best Actress Antibirth Golden Door Film Festival 2011 Best Female Lead Night Club Golden Globe Awards 2020 Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Russian Doll 2024 Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Poker Face Gotham Awards 2019 Breakthrough Series – Short Form Russian Doll 2024 Outstanding Supporting Performance His Three Daughters Hugo Awards 2020 Best Dramatic Presentation – Long Form Russian Doll Monaco International Film Festival 2008 Best Supporting Female Tricks of a Woman Primetime Emmy Awards 2014 Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy SeriesOrange Is the New Black (episode: "WAC Pack") 2019 Outstanding Comedy Series Russian Doll (season one) Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesRussian Doll (episode: "Nothing in This World Is Easy") Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series 2024 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Poker Face (episode: "Dead Man's Hand") Satellite Awards 2019 Best Television Series – Musical or ComedyRussian Doll Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy Saturn Awards Best Streaming Science Fiction, Action & Fantasy Series Best Actress in Streaming Presentation Screen Actors Guild Awards 2014 Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Orange is the New Black (season one) 2016 Orange is the New Black (season three) 2017 Orange is the New Black (season four) Teen Choice Awards 1999 Film – Funniest Scene Slums of Beverly Hills Film – Breakout Performance Television Critics Association2019 Individual Achievement in ComedyRussian Doll Outstanding Achievement in Comedy Outstanding New Program Program of the Year 2023 Program of the Year Poker Face Outstanding Achievement in Comedy Individual Achievement in Comedy Outstanding New Program Writers Guild of America Awards 2020 Comedy SeriesRussian Doll New Series Young Hollywood Awards 2000 Best Ensemble Cast American Pie