History of Natasha Lyonne in Timeline

Natasha Lyonne is a well-regarded American actress known for her distinctive voice and tough characters. She has won two Screen Actors Guild Awards and has been nominated for multiple Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, and a Critics' Choice Television Award. Beyond acting, she also works as a writer, director, and producer.

April 4, 1979: Birth of Natasha Lyonne

On April 4, 1979, Natasha Bianca Lyonne Braunstein, known professionally as Natasha Lyonne, was born. She would become a well-known American actress, writer, television director, and producer.

December 1986: Early Career: "Pee-wee's Playhouse" and "Heartburn"

Lyonne's foray into acting began at a young age. In December 1986, at the age of seven, she appeared as Opal in "Pee-wee's Playhouse." That same year, she made her film debut in a small role in Mike Nichols's comedy-drama "Heartburn."

1989: Early Acting Debut in "April Fool"

Lyonne's interest in acting was sparked in 1989 when she landed a role in "April Fool" (Hebrew: אחד באפריל), an Israeli children's film.

1993: Supporting Role in "Dennis the Menace"

Lyonne had a supporting role as Polly in the family comedy "Dennis the Menace" in 1993.

1996: Cast in Woody Allen's "Everyone Says I Love You"

At 16, Lyonne was cast in a significant role in Woody Allen's musical comedy "Everyone Says I Love You" (1996). She played D.J., the daughter of the main character, Joe (played by Allen). This casting marked a turning point in her career, leading to more prominent roles.

1996: Breakthrough Role in "Everyone Says I Love You"

In 1996, Natasha Lyonne gained recognition for her role as DJ in Woody Allen's musical comedy "Everyone Says I Love You".

1996: Release of "Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby"

Lyonne starred as Crystal Van Meuther in the sequel "Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby" (1996), a follow-up to the 1996 original. Despite the film's controversial reception due to its graphic content, Lyonne's performance as a teenage prostitute was praised.

1997: Purchases Apartment Near Gramercy Park

In 1997, Lyonne used her earnings from the film "Everyone Says I Love You" to purchase an apartment near Gramercy Park.

1998: Critical Acclaim for "Slums of Beverly Hills"

Lyonne's performance as Vivian Abromowitz in the independent coming-of-age comedy "Slums of Beverly Hills" (1998) earned her critical praise and established her as a rising star.

1998: Breakthrough Performance in "Slums of Beverly Hills"

Lyonne's performance as Vivian Abromowitz in the independent coming-of-age comedy "Slums of Beverly Hills" (1998) garnered critical acclaim and established her as a rising star in Hollywood.

1999: Cult Classic "But I'm a Cheerleader" and Mainstream Success with "American Pie"

1999 marked a significant year for Lyonne with roles in two notable films. She starred as Megan Bloomfield in the satirical romantic comedy "But I'm a Cheerleader," which, despite mixed initial reviews, gained a cult following for its exploration of conversion therapy. Additionally, she played Jessica in the commercially successful teen comedy "American Pie," further solidifying her presence in Hollywood.

1999: Starring Roles in "But I'm a Cheerleader" and "American Pie"

Lyonne starred as Megan Bloomfield, a teenager questioning her sexuality, in the satirical romantic comedy "But I'm a Cheerleader" (1999). The film achieved cult status for its portrayal of conversion therapy's harmful effects. The same year, she played Jessica in "American Pie," a commercially successful teen comedy, and reprised the role in two sequels.

2000: Television Film "If These Walls Could Talk 2"

Lyonne starred as Jeanne, a college activist advocating for lesbian equality, in the acclaimed television film "If These Walls Could Talk 2" (2000).

2001: Roles in "The Grey Zone," "Scary Movie 2," and "Kate & Leopold"

Lyonne appeared in the Holocaust drama "The Grey Zone" (2001), showcasing her dramatic range. The same year, she also took on roles in mainstream comedies "Scary Movie 2" and the romantic comedy "Kate & Leopold," demonstrating her versatility.

2002: Role in "Zig Zag"

Lyonne had a role in the independent drama "Zig Zag" (2002).

2003: Appearances in "Die, Mommie, Die!" and "Party Monster"

Lyonne showcased her acting skills in two distinct films: the dark comedy "Die, Mommie, Die!" and the biographical crime drama "Party Monster" (2003).

2004: Appearance in "Blade: Trinity"

Lyonne appeared in the action-fantasy film "Blade: Trinity" (2004) as part of her work in mainstream cinema.

2005: Hospitalization and Health Issues

In 2005, Natasha Lyonne was hospitalized under a pseudonym for hepatitis C, a heart infection, and a collapsed lung. She was also receiving treatment for heroin addiction.

2005: Role in "My Suicidal Sweetheart"

Lyonne appeared in the romantic comedy-drama "My Suicidal Sweetheart" (2005), later retitled "Saving Starlet."

2005: Legal Troubles and Eviction

Natasha Lyonne faced legal issues, including arrests for driving under the influence and disturbing the peace. In 2005, she was evicted from her apartment following complaints from neighbors.

January 2006: Arrest Warrant Issued

A warrant for Natasha Lyonne's arrest was issued in January 2006 after she missed a court appearance related to previous legal issues. Her lawyer cited an emergency but did not provide specifics.

December 2006: Achieves Sobriety

Natasha Lyonne has been sober from drugs and alcohol since December 2006 and has openly discussed her journey with addiction and recovery.

2008: New York Stage Debut

In 2008, Lyonne made her New York stage debut in the production of "Two Thousand Years" at the Acorn Theatre.

October 2009: "Love, Loss, and What I Wore" Off-Broadway Debut

Lyonne joined the original cast of the off-Broadway play "Love, Loss, and What I Wore" in October 2009.

2009: Starring Role in "The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle"

Lyonne took on the lead role in the experimental dark comedy "The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle" (2009), a film noted for its unconventional narrative and characters.

March 2010: Concludes Run in "Love, Loss, and What I Wore"

Lyonne concluded her run in the off-Broadway play "Love, Loss, and What I Wore" in March 2010.

2010: Critical Acclaim for "Tigers Be Still"

Lyonne received positive reviews for her performance in the comedy "Tigers Be Still" at the Roundabout Theatre Company in 2010.

2010: Critically Acclaimed Performance in "All About Evil"

Lyonne's portrayal of Debbie Tennis, a psychotic serial killer, in the horror parody "All About Evil" (2010) was particularly well-received, showcasing her ability to embody eccentric and intense characters.

2011: Supporting Role in "4:44 Last Day on Earth"

Lyonne had a supporting role in Abel Ferrara's post-apocalyptic drama "4:44 Last Day on Earth" (2011).

2011: "Blood from a Stone" at the Acorn Theatre

Lyonne starred in the 2011 production of "Blood from a Stone" at the Acorn Theatre.

2012: Undergoes Open-Heart Surgery

Lyonne underwent open-heart surgery to address heart valve damage resulting from a previous heart infection in 2012.

2013: Breakout Role in "Orange Is the New Black"

Lyonne landed her first television series regular role as Nicky Nichols in the Netflix comedy-drama "Orange Is the New Black," which premiered in 2013. Her performance garnered widespread critical acclaim and awards recognition.

2013: Death of Natasha Lyonne's Mother

Natasha Lyonne experienced the loss of her mother in 2013. According to Lyonne, they were not close, and she had been living independently since the age of 16.

October 2014: Death of Natasha Lyonne's Father

In October 2014, Natasha Lyonne's father, from whom she was estranged, passed away.

2014: Begins Dating Fred Armisen

Lyonne began dating comedian and actor Fred Armisen in 2014.

2014: Primetime Emmy Award Nomination for "Orange Is the New Black"

Lyonne's performance as Nicky Nichols in "Orange Is the New Black" earned her a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2014.

2015: Screen Actors Guild Award for "Orange Is the New Black"

Lyonne and her fellow cast members in "Orange Is the New Black" won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2015.

2015: Notable Film Roles

Natasha Lyonne appeared in several films in 2015, including "Sleeping with Other People," "Hello, My Name Is Doris," "Addicted to Fresno," and "Hashtag Horror."

2015: Receives Human Rights Campaign's Ally for Equality Award

Natasha Lyonne was honored with the Human Rights Campaign's Ally for Equality Award in 2015, recognizing her support for the LGBT community.

2016: Antibirth and Other Film Appearances

In 2016, Natasha Lyonne garnered attention for her role as Lou in the psychedelic horror film "Antibirth." She also appeared in films like "Yoga Hosers" and "The Intervention."

2017: Second Screen Actors Guild Award for "Orange Is the New Black"

Lyonne and the cast of "Orange Is the New Black" won their second Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2017.

2017: Film Appearance and Directorial Debut

Lyonne appeared in the film "Handsome" and made her directorial debut with the short film "Cabiria, Charity, Chastity" for KENZO in 2017.

2017: Directorial Debut with "Cabiria, Charity, Chastity"

Natasha Lyonne made her directorial debut in the fall of 2017 with the short film "Cabiria, Charity, Chastity" for the fashion brand KENZO.

2018: Film Appearance

Lyonne appeared in the film "Show Dogs" in 2018.

February 2019: "Russian Doll" Premieres to Critical Acclaim

In February 2019, the Netflix comedy-drama series "Russian Doll," created by and starring Natasha Lyonne, premiered to rave reviews, with critics praising Lyonne's performance as Nadia Vulvokov.

2019: Co-Creating and Starring in "Russian Doll"

In 2019, Lyonne's career reached new heights as she co-created, wrote, directed, and starred in the Netflix series "Russian Doll." The show's unique premise and Lyonne's performance were met with critical acclaim, establishing her as a multi-talented force in the industry.

2019: New York Times Crossword Design

In 2019, showcasing her love for puzzles, Natasha Lyonne designed a crossword for The New York Times.

2019: Film Appearances

Lyonne had roles in three films in 2019: "Honey Boy," "James Gray's science fiction thriller Ad Astra," and "Otherhood."

2020: Animal Pictures' First Project

Animal Pictures' first project was the sketch comedy special "Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine" (2020), directed by Lyonne.

2021: "The United States vs. Billie Holiday"

Lyonne portrayed actress Tallulah Bankhead in the biographical drama "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" in 2021.

April 2022: Relationship with Fred Armisen Ends

Lyonne's relationship with comedian and actor Fred Armisen ended in April 2022, although the two remain close friends.

2022: Conclusion of "Russian Doll"

After a successful run, "Russian Doll," the Netflix series co-created by and starring Natasha Lyonne, concluded in 2022.

January 2023: "Poker Face" Premieres on Peacock

Natasha Lyonne starred as Charlie Cale in "Poker Face," a Peacock series that premiered in January 2023 to positive reviews, with praise for Lyonne's performance.

October 2023: Maya Rudolph Exits Animal Pictures

Maya Rudolph departed from the production company Animal Pictures, leaving Natasha Lyonne to run the company independently.

2023: Residences in New York and Los Angeles

As of 2023, Natasha Lyonne resides in New York City's East Village and owns a residence in Los Angeles.

2023: Crossword Auction for Charity

During the 2023 WGA strike, Lyonne auctioned off the chance for fans to solve a New York Times crossword with her. This aimed to raise money for the Union Solidarity Coalition, demonstrating her support for labor unions.

2023: Lyonne on Her "Tough Guy" Persona

In 2023, Natasha Lyonne spoke about her "tough guy" persona, drawing inspiration from actors like Robert De Niro and finding a balance between feminine and masculine elements in her characters.

2023: Leading Role in "Poker Face" and Recognition by Time Magazine

Lyonne continued to captivate audiences with her role in Peacock's "Poker Face." Her talent and influence were further acknowledged when Time Magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.