Lauren Vélez is an established American actress and producer known for her roles in several hit TV shows such as Dexter (2006-2012), New York Undercover (1995-1999), Oz (1997-2003) and Ugly Betty (2009 -2010). She is also known as Lisette Linares in I Like It That Way (1994) and Roseanne Crystal in Serial (2007). She is an avid social media user.

Born name

Lauren Luna Velez

nickname

Luna Lauren Velez

Sun sign

Scorpio

Place of birth

Brooklyn, New York, United States

nationality

training

Lauren went to Public School 42 in Queens. Later, virtuous performance in high school earned her a scholarship to enroll in The Ailey Studios .

She later joined The Acting Studio in New York. She also learned Shakespeare at the Michael Howard Studio under the careful tutelage of Michael Howard himself.

occupation

actress, producer

family

• Father – José Vélez (New York City Police Department Police Officer)
• Mutter – Socorro Velez
• Siblings – Lorraine Vélez (twin sister) (actress, singer). She has 6 siblings.

Manager

Lauren is represented by Global Artists Agency.

To build

Average

Height

5 feet 4½ inches or 164 cm

weight

59 kg or 130 lbs

friend/spouse

Lauren dated –

1. Mark Gordon (1993-2015) – Lauren married personal trainer Mark Gordon in 1993. The couple had no children together and in 2015 the couple legally separated.

race/ethnicity

Multiracial (Hispanic and Black)

She has Mexican ancestry on her father’s side and African ancestry on her mother’s side.

hair colour

dark brown

eye color

dark brown

sexual orientation

Just

distinguishing features

She has a mole near the lower right side of her nose.

brand promotion

Lauren hasn’t done any endorsement work for any brand yet.

Known for

• Starring in several TV shows such as New York Undercover (1995-1999), Oz (1997-2003), Ugly Betty (2009-2010), Dexter (2006-2012) and Getting Away With Murder (2016-2017)
• In many films such as I Like It That Way (1994), City Hall (1996), I Think I Do (1997) and Serial (2007)
• Production of the drama film America Adrift in 2016

first movie

Lauren made her big screen debut as Lisette Linares in the comedy-drama I Like It That in 1994.

First TV show

She made her television debut as Claudine Palmeri in The Cosby Secrets in 1995.

Lauren Vélez favorite things

• Killer Storyline On Dexter – Who Killed Deb?
• Essen – Sushi
• Place to go on vacation – Puerto Rico
• Movie – The Judgment (1982)
• Awards Ceremony – Golden Globes
• Recording artists – Nina Simone, Sam Cooke

Lauren Velez facts

1. Lauren’s parents moved to Brooklyn, New York from Puerto Rico in the early 1950s.
2. She was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Far Rockaway, Queens.
3. Her father served as an officer in the New York City Police Department for 13 years . However, he died in 1993 after suffering a heart attack.
4. Lauren was only 2 years old when she developed an interest in acting. At home she directed plays and took part in every high school production.
5. Her first entertaining job was in the Broadway musical Dream Girl .
6. In 2010, the Hispanic Organization of Latin American Actors crowned her with the prestigious Rita Moreno HOLA Award for Excellence .
7. Her twin sister, Lorraine, often doubles and substitutes for her on Broadway.
8. In the past, she wanted to adopt a child.
9. In March 1996, her pictures were featured in Playboy (US) Magazine Vol. 43, #3.
10. After being cast in both television shows Oz (1997-2003) and Dexter (2006-2012), she was the third actress to star in both shows. The other two actors were Erik King and David Zayas.
11. In the past she played the role of the queen of Latin music “La Lupe”.
12. Your guilty pleasure show is Law & Order .
13. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.