Lisa Edelstein was born on 21 May 1966, in Boston (Massachusetts). She began her professional acting career while studying theater at N.Y.U.’s Tisch School of the Arts. After performing in a wide range of productions off and on Broadway, authored and performed the AIDS-related musical “Positive Me” at Ellen Stuart’s La Mama, in Manhattan. It was one one of the earliest AIDS-related theater productions.

Lisa gained her first television experience as a host of the cable series “Awake on the Wild Side.” in the lase several years she has fearlessly taken on a wide variety of roles for television. She played a call-girl girlfriend on “The West Wing,” David Conrad’s sister on “Relativity,” the transsexual boyfriend of James LeGros on “Ally McBeal” and an Orthodox Jewish woman losing custody of her on “Family Law.” She also played James Spader’s love interest on “The Practice”, and has had numerous other TV roles and guest appearances.

Her latest and current role is that of hospital administrator Dr. Lisa Cuddy, in the hit medical drama “House“. Watch for her on House for Tuesday nights on the FOX network.

Trivia

Lisa authored, composed and performed the musical, “Positive Me,” at Ellen Stuart’s La Mama in Manhattan, one of the earliest AIDS-related theater productions.

She currently resides in Los Angeles.

Has three dogs. Their names are Sandwich, Wolf-E. and Bumpa. She also has one cat.

Daughter of Alvin Edelstein and Bonnie Edelstein.

Speaks Spanish.

She began her professional acting career while studying theater at N.Y.U.

She enjoys writing, composing music and painting.

Played a transsexual on “Ally McBeal” (1997), a sex-obsessed artist on “Frasier” (1993), and a high-priced call girl on “The West Wing” (1999).

Is a vegan; will not eat meat or wear animal products.

Donates time to the animal sanctuary Best Friends .

Practices Ashtanga yoga six days a week.

Personal Quotes

“The hardest part about being vegan is shoes. I mean really that’s the only difficult part, finding shoes that don’t have leather on them.”

“I think it’s really important for celebrities to use their power of money and fame to get their voices out there. It’s funny to me that we’re expected to keep quiet just because of who we are. Why do I lose my right to speak my mind because I’m famous? People criticize Michael Moore, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon for standing up for what they believe in, but that’s what they do. They never pretended to be anyone else.”

“My dogs remind me that the simple pleasures in life are enough to make a day great”

(about co-star Hugh Laurie) “I think he’s hot. He’s a sex bomb.”

“There are so many good roles for women out there, I don’t understand it when people say the role choices are fewer as you get older. I find the opposite to be true — there are less good roles out there for the hot 20-year-olds because the normal girl parts just aren’t interesting.”

“I was one of those people who was literally famous for doing nothing…I was always a part of the club scene in New York and eventually was able to produce my own musical about AIDS (Positive Me) because of the audience and press I received as a club kid. Eventually I was called in to screen test for this MTV show because word was out I was this neat club kid turned playwright. I got the job and basically was humiliated on the air everyday. I’m an actor, not a hostess. It was horrifying. I had all this baby fat, so I was just HUGE on camera… I still can’t watch one frame of the show. Then I got all this hate mail because I couldn’t play the part right… Luckily the show got canceled after seven months. I was so relieved.”

Filmopgrahy

House M.D. - Dr. Lisa Cuddy (2004-2007)
Grilled (2006) (V) - Carolyn
Mrs. Harris (2005) (TV) - Forensic Psychologist
Say Uncle (2005) - Sarah Faber
Justice League - Mercy Graves (2003-2005)
Fathers and Sons (2005) (TV) - Irene
Judging Amy - Sylvia Danforth (2004)
Without a Trace - Dr. Lianna Sardo (2003)
The Practice - Diane Ward (2003)
Miss Match - Karen
A Date with Darkness: The Trial and Capture of Andrew Luster (2003) (TV) - Maeve Fox
Watching Ellie - Zoe (2003)
Daddy Day Care (2003) - Crispin’s Mom
Presidio Med - Janine Rothman (2003)
Obsessed (2002) (TV) - Charlotte
Felicity - Lauren (2001-2002)
Leap of Faith (2002) TV Series - Patty (unknown episodes)
Going to California - Dana (2001)
Black River (2001) (TV) - Laura
Family Law - Dr. Rachel Thompkins (2001)
Ally McBeal - Cindy McCauliff (2000-2001)
What Women Want (2000) - Dina
Grosse Pointe - Shawn Shapiro (2000)
The West Wing - Brittany ‘Laurie’ Rollins (1999-2000)
Keeping the Faith (2000) - Ali Decker
Grapevine - Leila (2000)
Legal Aid (1999) (TV)
30 Days (1999) - Danielle
Sports Night - Bobbi Bernstein (1999)
L.A. Doctors - Donna Basher (1999)
Conrad Bloom - Nikki Fanaro (1998)
Susan’s Plan (1998) - Penny Myers
I’m Losing You (1998) - Diantha’s Patient
L.A. Without a Map (1998) - Sandra
Indiscreet (1998) (TV) - Beth Sussman
The Batman/Superman Movie (1998) (TV) (voice) - Mercy Graves
Frasier - Caitlin (1 episode, 1998)
Just Shoot Me! - Erin Simon (1998)
In the Loop (1998) TV Series
Almost Perfect - Patty Karp (1995-1997)
As Good as It Gets (1997) - Woman at Table
Cybill - Kristen Clark (1997)
Superman - Mercy Graves (1996-1997)
ER - Documentarian Aggie Orton (1997)
Blade Runner (1997) (VG) - Crystal Steele
Relativity (1996) TV Series - Rhonda Roth
Ned and Stacey - Janine (1996)
Partners - Cindy Wolfe (1995)
Love Affair (1994) - Assistant at Studio
The Larry Sanders Show - Diane French (1994)
Seinfeld - Karen (1993)
Wings - Marsha Peebles (1993)
L.A. Law (1992)
Mad About You - Lynne Stoddard (1992)
The Doors (1991) - Makeup Artist

Awards

Satellite Awards
2005 - Won - Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for: “House M.D.” (2004

FAN MAIL ADDRESS
Lisa Edelstein
“House, M.D.”
Heel and Toe Films
10201 West Pico Boulevard
Bldg 89, Rm 230
Los Angeles, CA 90035
USA