Elizabeth Berkley

Birthday: 28 July 1972, Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA

Height: 178 cm

Elizabeth Berkley was born in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Her mother, Jere, owns a gift basket business and her father, Fred, is a lawyer. Her family is Jewish. When Elizabeth was five her parents enrolled her at Detroit Dance Company. Loving dance, young Elizabeth began to take part in several ballets, including "Swan Lake", and, in 1983, starred in some musicals (sometimes singing in Italian). Her screen debut was a role in the TV movie Frog (1987). She then got work as an extra in some TV series, including TV 101 (1988) and Day by Day (1988). In the summer of 1989 she was in Los Angeles and auditioned for a role on Saved by the Bell (1989). She got the role and became a TV star. After four seasons she left the show to try to break into theatrical films. In 1994 she filmed four movies, including Showgirls (1995), and continued to guest-star in popular TV shows, such as Diagnosis Murder (1993). At the same time she was studying English Literature at a college in California. After "Showgirls" she signed with United Talent Agency and got some small roles in major films, including The First Wives Club (1996) and Oliver Stone's Any Given Sunday (1999), and starred in some indies (Taxman (1998), Last Call (1999), The Real Blonde (1997)).In 1999 she performed on stage in London as Honey in "Lenny", opposite Eddie Izzard, and was directed by the legendary Sir Peter Hall. Her performances in Roger Dodger (2002) and Moving Malcolm (2003), two independent movies released in 2002 and 2003, impressed the critics. She made her Broadway debut in "Sly Fox" in February 2004, three months after her marriage to New York artist Greg Lauren. She then returned to New York City in the Off-Broadway production "Hurlyburly" directed by Scott Elliott and co-starring Ethan Hawke, Parker Posey and Wallace Shawn. She received some of the best reviews of her career for her performance as Bonnie.She appeared for several seasons in the hit series CSI: Miami (2002) as Julia Winston, and in the final season of Showtime's The L Word (2004). Thanks to television syndication of "Saved By the Bell", Elizabeth is a favorite among a whole new generation of teen girls. Elizabeth has been making life-changing connections with these girls over the past seven years through Ask Elizabeth, her not-for-profit organization that includes self-esteem workshops she facilitates as a volunteer in schools and for youth organizations, a thriving website (ask-elizabeth.com) that hosts digital content as a way to be of continued service to girls and, most recently, her book "Ask Elizabeth" (published by Penguin), which made The New York Times' best-seller list. This nationwide movement has affected the lives of over 100,000 girls and counting. She was also a featured contributor on Oprah.com, bridging the communication gap between mothers and daughters.She and husband Greg Lauren are the proud parents of son Sky Cole Lauren. Hide

Not only am I grateful for my family, but there's a real love I have for growing up Jewish, and wher Show more Not only am I grateful for my family, but there's a real love I have for growing up Jewish, and where I grew up, because there's a foundation that it's given me in these crazy kind of worlds that I might come across. Hide

The First Wives Club (1996) gave me a certain level of confidence. Because I was working with these Show more The First Wives Club (1996) gave me a certain level of confidence. Because I was working with these three women - Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton - who as women have been through every high and low. Goldie especially took me under her wing and was really supportive. She told me, "I don't like the way you were directed in that movie [Showgirls (1995)], but there's something there that you can't deny. So you just keep doing what you're doing and someone will get it, and someone will show the real you, and not just some idea of you". Hide

[on working with high-profile directors] I'm very grateful, because a lot of actors would kill to wo Show more [on working with high-profile directors] I'm very grateful, because a lot of actors would kill to work with any one of them. It's been a very conscious choice on my part to work with the best - even if it was taking a small supporting role. After Showgirls (1995), I really wanted to surround myself with the best people. I wanted to build it that way instead of doing flashy roles just like "Showgirls", which would have hurt me. Hide

Ever since those reviews for Showgirls (1995), it's like I was that woman in "The Scarlet Letter". E Show more Ever since those reviews for Showgirls (1995), it's like I was that woman in "The Scarlet Letter". Except that instead of having to wear the letter "A" for adulteress, I was condemned to wear an "S" for "showgirl". Hide

[11/23/05] The first thing I want to say is that I think that Threshold (2005) is one of the best ne Show more [11/23/05] The first thing I want to say is that I think that Threshold (2005) is one of the best new shows out there, which is one of the reasons I wanted to join this amazing cast. Barbara Nance, the writer of this episode, created an incredible, strong female character who I knew I would have a lot of fun playing. There are fight scenes, there is glamor, and there's this fun cat-and-mouse game between me and Brian Van Holt, who plays Cavennaugh. All the dynamics were in place. But what was fun was when Carla called me not knowing that they had offered it, and even though we only have a couple of scenes together, we were both so excited. Across the board, the cast is amazing. The only other guest spots I've done in the last couple of years were on shows that were already established, like Without a Trace (2002) and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) and NYPD Blue (1993), so it was fun to be a part of something from the beginning. Hide

[on her role in New Girl (2011)] I love new adventures. Such a thrill still to pull up to a Hollywoo Show more [on her role in New Girl (2011)] I love new adventures. Such a thrill still to pull up to a Hollywood studio. I'm always grateful. And happy I'm not jaded. I've seen it all. Been through it all and I can honestly say.... I still love it. Hide

[on her role in Showgirls (1995), shortly before its release] I knew I had to play this role. No que Show more [on her role in Showgirls (1995), shortly before its release] I knew I had to play this role. No question. The minute I read it. I read it, and I couldn't put it down. And I didn't stop talking about it. Hide

[on Showgirls (1995), shortly before its release] First of all, to portray this woman any other way Show more [on Showgirls (1995), shortly before its release] First of all, to portray this woman any other way would be a lie. This is what she does. I mean, my feeling is sexuality, people who have a problem with it are living in shame, so that's their problem. All I know is that this will help people feel more free about themselves, I think, and, um, I see nothing harmful in it. It's a wonderful message about going after what you want. Hide

[on making Roger Dodger (2002)] I really loved it. On the set, it was like being part of a real fami Show more [on making Roger Dodger (2002)] I really loved it. On the set, it was like being part of a real family. Everybody was there because they wanted to be and not because of some paycheck - there were no dressing rooms or big trailers; you'd get ready in a bathroom. Here's this $2-million movie that could have gone nowhere or everywhere. But it's one of the most special experiences that I've ever had. I want more similar experiences. I'm not "Showgirl" - that's the point! Hide

[about Lauren Hutton, in "Style Makeover", Volume 13, Number 9, Fall 2006] Women shine when they are Show more [about Lauren Hutton, in "Style Makeover", Volume 13, Number 9, Fall 2006] Women shine when they are at their most natural, and Lauren Hutton has a certain timelessness I admire. She knows what works for her. Hide

Elizabeth Berkley's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (163)

Name That Tune - Season 3

NYPD Blue - Season 1

Armitage III: Polymatrix [Sub: Eng]

Gimme a Break! - Season 4

The Real Blonde

Crystal Lake Memories The Complete History Of Friday The 13th Disc 2

The L Word - Season 5

Without a Trace - Season 5

Dancing with the Stars - Season 25

The L Word - Season 2