Ricki Pamela Lake is an American actress, producer, and television host. She is best known for her starring role as Tracy Turnblad in the original Hairspray, her documentary film The Business of Being Born, and her talk show which was broadcast internationally from 1993–2004. In fall 2012, Lake will embark on a second syndicated talk show endeavor airing on weekdays. Lake was born to a Jewish family in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, the daughter of Jill, a homemaker, and Barry Lake, a pharmacist. She attended Ithaca College and the Professional Children's School. Lake made her film... debut as Tracy Turnblad, the lead character in John Waters' 1988 cult-classic Hairspray. Lake also starred in other Waters films including the cult-classic Cry-Baby with Johnny Depp, Cecil B. Demented, and Serial Mom with Kathleen Turner. Lake starred in Mrs. Winterbourne with Shirley Maclaine and Brendan Fraser, Cabin Boy, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Cookie, and Inside Monkey Zetterland. Lake joined the cast of the Vietnam War drama series China Beach as Red Cross volunteer Holly "the Donut Dolly" Pelegrino for the show's third season.
more