Lake Bell has made a name for herself from her work on television ensemble dramas like “Boston Legal” and “Surface.” In addition to building a devoted fan following, her consistent quality work and talent is translating onto the big screen – she’s involved in no less than four feature films in 2008 alone.
A New Yorker, Lake was born in 1979 and attended college at Skidmore, in the western part of the state for a brief time. A transfer across the Atlantic to study in London was just what Lake was looking for – exposure to a new atmosphere and culture introduced her to the stage, acting, and enjoying dialogue and ideas with fellow acting students and directors. After soaking up the London scene, she returned to the United States, this time to the West Coast in L.A.
It didn’t take long for Lake to find work. She was part of the impressive cast of “Speakeasy” which starred David Strathairn (“Good Night, and Good Luck”). A year later, she had second billing to Jeff Goldblum in “War Stories,” which led to steady work on primetime shows including “The Practice,” “Miss Match” with Alicia Silverstone, the sci-fi drama “Surface,” and “Boston Legal.” This “apprentice” work is now paying off for Lake, as she heads into feature films full time. Having successfully worked the stage as a student in London and television in her early career, it seems movies are her next arena, and possibly the launching pad for greater exposure and successes she has been working towards.
Interview
Check out our interview with Bell Lake here in connection with her role in “Black Rock.”
Lake Bell on Video
Sexy Lake
Behind the scenes with sexy Lake Bell at Esquire photoshoot.
Lake on the Screen
Lake’s screen debut is in the ultra low-budget comedy “Slammed” in 2001, starring three male stars of former ABC shows: Justin Whalin (Jimmy Olsen on “Lois & Clark”), Zachary Ty Bryan (Brad on “Home Improvement”), and the legendary Sasha Mitchell (Cody on “Step by Step”). Following “Speakeasy,” Lake appeared on two episodes of “ER,” the indie “I Love Your Work” directed by Adam Goldberg, and the period flick “Rampage: The Hillside Strangler Murders.” Lake’s steady work came on TV shows like “Surface” (which ran for 15 episodes from 2005 – 2006) and as Sally Heep on “Boston Legal.”
Lake Says
On a challenge:
“I love being put in a position where I need to face my fear and grow up a bit.”
On improv:
“I improv in scenes. I mean, that’s unheard of in most network television. They’re like, ‘Go for it.’ I mean, ‘Go for it’ is not the three words you hear on traditional shows.”
Photos
A good old fashioned premiere party with Lake Bell and Karina Smirnoff
Sexy Lake Bell on the red carpet with Karina Smirnoff
