Lisa Edelstein

Lisa Edelstein
Edelstein in 2007
Born	(1966-05-21) May 21, 1966 (age 58) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Alma mater	New York University
Occupations	Actress Playwright Artist
Years active	1990–present
Spouse	Robert Russell ​ (m. 2014)​
Website	lisaedelstein.komi.io

Lisa Edelstein (/ˈliːsə ˈɛdəlstiːn/ EDD-əl-steen; born May 21, 1966)^[1] is an American actress and artist. She is known for playing Dr. Lisa Cuddy on the Fox medical drama series House (2004–2011). Between 2014 and 2018, Edelstein starred as Abby McCarthy in the Bravo series Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce.

Early life

Edelstein was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Bonnie and Alvin Edelstein, the youngest of three children in a Jewish family. Her father worked as a pediatrician at Chilton Memorial Hospital.^[2] She was raised in Wayne, New Jersey,^[3] and attended Wayne Valley High School, graduating in 1984.^[4]

At 16, Edelstein was a cheerleader for the New Jersey Generals. Edelstein participated in a protest against poor working conditions. She said she felt they were treated "like hookers" and helped organize a cheerleader walkout.^[5]

While living in New York, she became involved in the club scene (known there only as "Lisa E") with "celebutant" James St. James, who briefly refers to Edelstein in his 1999 book Disco Bloodbath. She caused enough of a stir in the community to be dubbed New York City’s "Queen of the Night" by Maureen Dowd in The New York Times in 1986 in a feature article entitled "Lisa In Wonderland."^[6]

Career

Actress

In response to the growing AIDS crisis of the 1980s, Edelstein wrote, composed and starred in an original musical called Positive Me which she performed at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York City, receiving many accolades.^[7] She followed that with a short stint hosting MTV’s Awake on the Wild Side in 1990,^[8] then began working in earnest as an actress. She got her SAG card appearing as a backstage make-up artist in Oliver Stone's Jim Morrison biography The Doors,^[9] and then landed a quick series of guest roles on several popular comedies, including Mad About You,^[10] Wings,^[11] The Larry Sanders Show^[12] and Sports Night,^[13] where she played a sports reporter who claimed to be a former lover of Josh Charles' character whom he did not remember. Perhaps most famous from this time was her appearances on Seinfeld, where she played George Costanza's girlfriend in the episodes "The Mango"^[14] and "The Masseuse."^[15]

Edelstein picketed during the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike, which halted the production of House.

Bigger roles in TV dramas soon followed, among them the lesbian sister on ABC's Relativity (1996); a high-priced call girl turned Rob Lowe's date on The West Wing (1999); a transgender woman on Ally McBeal (2000); and Ben Covington's (Scott Speedman) girlfriend on Felicity (2001). She also continued to land guest-star spots on such shows as ER, Frasier, Just Shoot Me!, Without a Trace, and Judging Amy, as well as small parts in the films What Women Want, Keeping the Faith, As Good as It Gets, and Daddy Day Care.

From 2004 to 2011, she portrayed her biggest and most notable role to date, Dr. Lisa Cuddy, the Dean of Medicine at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital and frequent adversary, friend, and eventual girlfriend of title character Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) on Fox's TV series House. Edelstein has often spoken fondly of her experiences on the show and fellow cast and crew, especially her friendship and strong working relationship with Laurie.

In May 2011, Edelstein announced that she would not return for the eighth and final season of House.^[16] Starting in June 2011, she joined the cast of The Good Wife, where she played lawyer Celeste Serrano.^[17] She guest-starred in Scandal in 2013, and later three episodes of the ABC series Castle.

In 2014, Edelstein got her dream job landing the lead role of Abby McCarthy in the Bravo series Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce,^[18] an hour-long dramedy loosely based on the book series by Vicki Iovine focusing on the lives of newly divorced, mid-life women.^[19] It ran for five seasons in which she got to expand her creative participation by becoming a producer,^[20] writer^[21] and director^[22] on the series.

In 2018, Edelstein joined the cast of ABC's The Good Doctor in season two as Dr. Marina Blaize in a recurring role.^[23] This reunited her with House creator David Shore as well as with Richard Schiff, who played her father on Relativity.^[24]

Edelstein then joined the award winning The Kominsky Method,^[25] a Netflix series that debuted in November 2018, playing the drug addled daughter of Alan Arkin and working alongside such actors such as Michael Douglas, Paul Reiser and Chuck Lorre. During that time she also reunited with Rob Lowe, playing his ex-wife Gwyneth Morgan, and mother of TK Strand (Ronen Rubenstein) on the ABC drama series, 9-1-1: Lone Star.^[26] She played a Holocaust survivor and adopted mother in the Canadian indigenous TV drama Little Bird, which was nominated for 19 Canadian Screen Awards.

Throughout her career she has lent her voice to several animated programs, including King of the Hill, American Dad!, the DC Animated Universe, The Legend of Korra, and the first video game adaptation of Blade Runner.

Other appearances

Edelstein is a supporter of Best Friends Animal Society, of which she is an ambassador. She supports human rights organizations and is a patron of the arts. She has appeared in numerous magazines, including the September 2010 cover of H magazine.^[27] She posed for PETA in an ad promoting vegetarianism, a diet she has followed for most of her life.^[28]

Art

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Edelstein began to sketch and paint. She began working with magic marker, and at the suggestion of her artist husband Robert Russell switched to watercolor as the size of each piece grew. Edelstein's portfolio is inspired by old family photographs that are "unintended moments, telling unintended truths".^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Edelstein married artist Robert Russell in Los Angeles on May 25, 2014.^[29] She became a stepmother to Russell's two sons from a previous marriage.^[30]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1991	The Doors	Makeup artist
1997	As Good as It Gets	Woman at table
1998	Susan's Plan	Penny Myers
1998	L.A. Without a Map	Sandra
1999	30 Days	Danielle
2000	Keeping the Faith	Ali Decker
2000	What Women Want	Dina
2003	Daddy Day Care	Crispin's mother
2005	Say Uncle	Sarah Faber
2013	She Loves Me Not	Amy
2016	Joshy	Claudia
2021	Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets	Elly
2023	Swipe NYC[31]	Syd	Short film
2023	Shadow Brother Sunday[32]	Sandra	Short film
2024	The Everything Pot[33]	Rachel

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1992	L.A. Law	Francine Flicker	Episode: "My Friend Flicker"
1992	Mad About You	Lynne Stoddard	Episode: "Out of the Past"
1993	Good Advice	Robin	Episode: "The Kiss"
1993	Seinfeld	Karen	2 episodes
1993	Wings	Marsha Peebles	Episode: "Labor Pains"
1996	Ned & Stacey	Janine	Episode: "Friends and Lovers"
1994	The Larry Sanders Show	Diane French	Episode: "The Mr. Sharon Stone Show"
1994	Wild Oats	Unknown	Episode: "Pilot"
1995–97	Almost Perfect	Patty Karp	8 episodes
1995	Partners	Cindy Wolfe	Episode: "Who's Afraid of Ron and Cindy Wolfe?"
1995	Superman: The Animated Series	Mercy Graves	Voice, 7 episodes[34]
1996–97	Relativity	Rhonda Roth	Main role
1997	ER	Aggi Orton	Episode: "Ambush"
1998	Frasier	Caitlin	Episode: "Frasier Gotta Have It"
1998	Just Shoot Me!	Erin Simons	Episode: "Sewer!"
1998	Indiscreet	Beth Sussman	Television film
1998	Nothing Sacred	Rabbi Judith Fisher	Episode: "Holy Words"
1999	Sports Night	Bobbi Bernstein	2 episodes
1999–2000	The West Wing	Laurie "Brittany" Rollins	5 episodes
2000	Grosse Pointe	Shawn Shapiro	Episode: "Satisfaction"
2000–01	Ally McBeal	Cindy McCauliff	5 episodes
2001	Black River	Laura	Television film
2001	The Zeta Project	Gwen Evans	Voice, episode: "Ro's Reunion"[34]
2001–02	Felicity	Lauren	6 episodes
2002	Obsessed	Charlotte	Television film
2002	Leap of Faith	Patty	Main
2003	A Date with Darkness: The Trial and Capture of Andrew Luster	Maeve Fox	Television film
2003	Without a Trace	Dr. Lianna Sardo	Episode: "Moving On"
2003	The Practice	Diane Ward	2 episodes
2003	Justice League	Mercy Graves	Voice, episode: "Tabula Rasa"[34]
2004	Judging Amy	Sylvia Danforth	Episode: "The Quick and the Dead"
2005	Justice League Unlimited	Mercy Graves	Voice, episode: "Clash"[34]
2005	Fathers and Sons	Irene	Television film
2004–11	House	Dr. Lisa Cuddy	Main: Seasons 1–7 People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Drama Actress Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
2007	King of the Hill	Alexis	Voice, episode: "The Powder Puff Boys"
2007–11	American Dad!	Sharri Rothberg	Voice, 6 episodes
2008	Special Delivery	Maxine Carter	Television film
2011	Childrens Hospital	Herself/Lisa Cuddy	Episode: "Run, Dr. Lola Spratt, Run!"
2011	The Good Wife	Celeste Serano	3 episodes
2011	Paul The Male Matchmaker	Jillian	Episode: "Know When You Are Not Ready"
2012	Blue-Eyed Butcher	Kelly Siegler	Television film
2012	Elementary	Heather Van Owen	Episode: "The Long Fuse"
2013	House of Lies	Brynn	2 episodes
2013	Scandal	Sarah Stanner	Episode: "Top of the Hour"
2013	Castle	Rachel McCord	3 episodes
2013–14	The Legend of Korra	Kya	Voice, 14 episodes[34]
2014–18	Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce	Abby McCarthy	Main Women's Image Network Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series (2015, 2016)
2018–19	The Good Doctor	Dr. Marina Blaize	6 episodes
2018–19, 2021	The Kominsky Method	Phoebe	Recurring role Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
2021–22	9-1-1: Lone Star	Gwyneth Morgan	Recurring (season 2); guest (season 3)[35]
2023	Little Bird	Golda Rosenblum	TV Limited Series

Video games

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1997	Blade Runner	Crystal Steele

Podcasts

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2020	Borrasca	Leah Dixon

Awards

Edelstein has been nominated by the Screen Actors Guild for the following performances:

• 15th SAG Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama, nomination, for House (2009)
• 26th SAG Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy, nomination, for The Kominsky Method (2020)
• 28th SAG Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy, nomination, for The Kominsky Method (2022)

Edelstein has won the International Press Academy's Satellite Awards for the following performances:

• 10th Satellite Awards: Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, winner, for House (2005)
• 26th Satellite Awards: Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, winner, for The Kominsky Method (2021)

In 2011, she won the People's Choice Award for Best Drama Actress in a TV Series for her portrayal of Dr. Lisa Cuddy on House.^[36]

Edelstein has won the Women's Image Network Awards for the following performances:

• 17th WIN Awards: Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, winner, for Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce (2015)
• 18th WIN Awards: Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, winner, for Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce (2016)

References

1. Rosenfeld, Laura (January 18, 2017). "Lisa Edelstein Says "It's a Wonderful Thing" to Be Over 40 in Hollywood". Bravo. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
2. "Lisa Edelstein". chiltonhealth.org.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
3. Vaughan, Bonnia. "Small-Screen GemLisa Edelstein – The actress talks about her role on Relativity", Entertainment Weekly, October 6, 2008. Retrieved March 31, 2011. "Thanks to Relativity – and her role as lovelorn lesbian Rhonda – the Wayne, N.J., native has another opportunity to set a strong example."
4. Rohan, Virginia. "North Jersey-bred and talented too", The Record (Bergen County), June 18, 2007. Retrieved June 25, 2007. "Lisa Edelstein: Class of 1984, Wayne Valley High School" ^{[dead link‍]}
5. Katz, Emily Tess (December 3, 2015). "That Time Trump's Cheerleaders Staged A Walkout For Being Treated 'Like Hookers'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
6. Dowd, Maureen (November 9, 1986). "LISA IN WONDERLAND". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
7. "LaMama Archives : Document : Show File: "Positive Me" (1988) [OBJ.1988.0601]". catalog.lamama.org. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
8. Awake on the Wild Side, Music Television (MTV), retrieved February 24, 2023
9. The Doors (1991) – IMDb, retrieved February 24, 2023
10. "Mad About You" Out of the Past (TV Episode 1992) – IMDb, retrieved February 24, 2023
11. Wings (TV Series 1990–1997) – IMDb, retrieved February 24, 2023
12. "The Larry Sanders Show" The Mr. Sharon Stone Show (TV Episode 1994) – IMDb, retrieved February 24, 2023
13. Sports Night (TV Series 1998–2000) – IMDb, retrieved February 24, 2023
14. Cherones, Tom (September 16, 1993), The Mango, Seinfeld, retrieved February 24, 2023
15. "Seinfeld" The Masseuse (TV Episode 1993) – IMDb, retrieved February 24, 2023
16. "House Shocker: A 'Disappointed' Lisa Edelstein Calls It Quits". TVLine. May 17, 2011. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
17. "Lisa Edelstein moves from House to The Good Wife". June 23, 2011. Archived from the original on June 25, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
18. Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce (Comedy, Drama), Canada Film Capital, Universal Cable Productions, December 2, 2014, retrieved February 24, 2023
19. Iovine, Vicki (2001). The girlfriend's guide to getting your groove back : loving your family without losing your mind (1st ed.). New York, N.Y.: Berkley Pub. Group. ISBN 0-399-52630-7. OCLC 45493142.
20. Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce (TV Series 2014–2018) - IMDb, retrieved February 24, 2023
21. "Lisa Edelstein". Bravo TV Official Site. September 2, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2023. She has penned two episodes of the series, including episode #303, "Rule #187: You Are What You Eat, So… Chow Down" and episode #203, "Rule #8: Timing Is Everything," the latter which she wrote with creator and executive producer Marti Noxon.
22. Andreeva, Nellie (July 3, 2018). "Lisa Edelstein On 'Girlfriends' Guide To Divorce's Coming To An End, Directing & 'House' Reunion On 'The Good Doctor'". Deadline. Retrieved February 24, 2023. It includes Edelstein's TV directing debut with the episode that premieres this Thursday, July 5.
23. Andreeva, Nellie (June 21, 2018). "'The Good Doctor': Lisa Edelstein To Recur On Season 2, Sets 'House' Reunion". Deadline. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
24. Relativity (Comedy, Drama, Romance), 20th Century Fox Television, The Bedford Falls Company, September 24, 1996, retrieved February 24, 2023
25. The Kominsky Method (TV Series 2018–2021) – IMDb, retrieved February 24, 2023
26. Maas, Jennifer (February 22, 2022). "Lisa Edelstein to Exit '9-1-1: Lone Star' After Two Seasons (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
27. Edelstein on the cover of the September 2010 H mag at H's official site; Retrieved September 17, 2010
28. Christina Everett, "'House' Star, 44, Poses Nude for PETA," NY Daily News, April 18, 2012.
29. "House Star Lisa Edelstein Tied the Knot This Weekend, Too!—Get All the Details on Her Wedding to Robert Russell". E! Online. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
30. "Lisa Edelstein Opens Up About Being a Stepmom: 'Children Will Let You Know What They Need From You'". Entertainment Tonight. August 19, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
31. Kramer, Sue (April 24, 2023), Swipe NYC (Short), Lisa Edelstein, Richard Schiff, Bridget Moynahan, Bella Films, retrieved June 20, 2024
32. Ehrenreich, Alden (June 9, 2023), Shadow Brother Sunday (Short), Alden Ehrenreich, Nick Robinson, Lisa Edelstein, Vanishing Angle, retrieved June 20, 2024
33. Dorf, Sherise, The Everything Pot (Comedy), Lisa Edelstein, James Wolk, Erik Griffin, retrieved June 20, 2024
34. "Lisa Edelstein (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 26, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
35. Maas, Jennifer (February 21, 2022). "Lisa Edelstein to Exit '9-1-1: Lone Star' After Two Seasons (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
36. "People's Choice Awards Nominees and Winners 2011". peopleschoice.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2012.

External links

• Official website
• Lisa Edelstein at IMDb