Lauren-Marie Taylor (born Lauren Marie Schwartz;[1] November 1, 1961)[2][3][4] is an American film and television actress. She is regarded as a "scream queen" for her roles in several horror films.[5] Born and raised in the Bronx, Taylor was scouted by a talent agent while performing in a high school production of Oklahoma! with classmate Ally Sheedy, and began pursuing acting in commercials. Her first major role was as Vickie in the slasher film Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981).[1][6][7]
Lauren-Marie Taylor | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lauren Marie Schwartz November 1, 1961 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1980–2013; 2024 |
| Spouse |
John Didrichsen (m. 1983) |
| Children | 3 |
Subsequent film credits include in the black comedy Neighbors (1981), followed by the slasher film Girls Nite Out (1982). From 1983 until 1995, Taylor portrayed Stacey Donovan on the soap opera Loving. She returned to screen acting with a role in the horror film In a Violent Nature (2024).[8]
Early life and education
editTaylor was born Lauren Marie Schwartz on November 1, 1961[2] in the Bronx borough of New York City.[3][9] She spent her childhood in the South Bronx.[1] She and her brother were raised by their maternal grandparents in a "very Catholic household".[10][11] She graduated from Loyola School, a Jesuit school in Manhattan.[12] Prior to acting, Taylor considered pursuing a career as a veterinarian.[10] She attended Wagner College, New York University, and the Circle in the Square Theatre School.[12][6]
Career
editAs a teenager, while appearing as Ado Annie Carnes in a stage production of Oklahoma! with classmate Ally Sheedy, Taylor was scouted by Sheedy's agent who suggested that she audition for commercial acting work.[10] This led to Taylor appearing in commercials for Burger King before she made her film debut as Vickie in the horror film Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981).[2][13] Taylor subsequently portrayed John Belushi's character's daughter in the dark comedy film Neighbors (1981),[6][1] followed by another supporting role in the slasher film Girls Nite Out (1982).
She starred in the soap opera Loving as Stacey Donovan Forbes Alden from 1983[2] to 1995, the only original cast member to stay with the show for its entire run.[14][15][16]
Prior to Loving, Taylor starred in Ryan's Hope as Eleanor Skofield from 1980 to 1981. After Loving, she hosted her own daily crafts series, Handmade by Design, for several years on the Lifetime channel.[17] She has also done numerous TV commercials and off-Broadway plays.[6][12]
In 2000, she began her career as a kindergarten and first grade teacher, a role she worked full time in for 10 years. She was also active in local community theater, appearing onstage and later directing productions in the New York City metropolitan region.[18] In 2023, Taylor began hosting the Not the Final Girl podcast.[19] Taylor had her first onscreen acting role in over two decades with the slasher film In a Violent Nature, which was filmed in 2021. It premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival[20] before being given a wide theatrical release by IFC Films on May 31, 2024.[21]
Taylor has a supporting role in the upcoming Christmas-themed horror film He Sees You When You're Sleeping, co-starring with Caroline Williams.[22]
Personal life
editIn 1983, Taylor married actor and singer John Didrichsen,[6] whom she met when they were both filming Girls Nite Out in 1981.[23] They have three children, Katherine, Wesley, and Olivia.
Taylor has been a vegetarian since she was a teenager.[10]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Manhattan | Dalton student | Uncredited | |
| 1981 | Friday the 13th Part 2 | Vickie | [24] | |
| Neighbors | Elaine Keese | [24] | ||
| 1982 | Girls Nite Out | Sheila Robinson | [25] | |
| 2013 | Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th | Self | Documentary film | |
| 2024 | In a Violent Nature | The Woman | [26] | |
| He Sees You When You're Sleeping | Sue-Ellen Galveston | [22] |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–1981 | Ryan's Hope | Eleanor Skofield | 3 episodes | [2] |
| 1983–1995 | Loving | Stacey Donovan | Main cast | |
| 1985 | The Cracker Brothers | Cracker Girl | Television film | |
| 1987 | Pound Puppies | Various (voice) | 5 episodes | |
| 1996 | Handmade by Design | Host | [17] | |
| 2006 | My First Time | Self | Episode: "Soap Opera Starts" | |
| 2009 | His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th | Self | Documentary film |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Croke, Karen (October 13, 1983). "Running through her lines". New York Daily News. p. 149 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e Peterson, Bettelou (February 16, 1986). "Lauren-Marie Taylor / 'Loving'". Detroit Free Press. p. 5K – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Lauren-Marie Taylor". La Vanguardia. Películas y Series (in Spanish). Archived from the original on May 28, 2024.
- ^ Taylor, Lauren-Marie [@laurenmarietaylor] (November 1, 2022). "Thank you for sending birthday wishes my way! You guys are awesome and I'm so grateful to you for sharing the love!!♥️😸🎉🥳". Archived from the original on June 9, 2024 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Scream queen to visit Johnstown's State Theater". The Tribune-Democrat. October 18, 2021. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Peterson, Bettelou. "Soap Star Got Start In TV Ads". The Wichita Eagle. No. March 23, 1986. Knight-Ridder News Service – via NewsBank.
- ^ Gross, Linda (May 4, 1981). "A grim 'Friday the 13th Part II'". Los Angeles Times – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Squires, John (May 17, 2024). "'In a Violent Nature' – 'Friday the 13th Part 2' Star Lauren-Marie Taylor Joins Outdoor Screening in NYC on 5/18". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024.
- ^ Redmond, Kimberly (April 18, 1985). "'Loving' fan wants to know about soap star". Hood County News. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "Friday the 13th Pt 2 (1981), In a Violent Nature (2024) Interview w/ Lauren-Marie Taylor". Happy Horror Time (Podcast). June 3, 2024. Event occurs at 0:01–8:57 – via YouTube.
- ^ Taylor, Lauren-Marie [@laurenmarietaylor] (May 19, 2021). "I swear I was a good Catholic girl! 😇 Why'd ya do it @jason2warringtongillette ⁉️🎬🪓". Archived from the original on May 29, 2024 – via Instagram.
- ^ a b c Cooper, Mary Ann (February 13, 1988). "Taylor finds time for running and 'Loving'". Pottsville Republican – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bracke, Peter M. (2006). Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday The 13th. London, England: Titan Books. p. 54. ISBN 978-1-845-76343-5.
- ^ Novakovich, Lilana (June 23, 1995). "McCay wants character to get into some trouble". Waterloo Region Record. Retrieved February 25, 2018 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Reichardt, Nancy M. (July 11, 1993). "Actor Taylor is last original cast member on "Loving'". The Tampa Tribune – via NewsBank.
- ^ Perigard, Mark A. (August 27, 1995). "Plot twists and star turns Soap operas are fighting low ratings the old-fashioned way -- by killing off cast members, bringing people back from the dead and stirring up new daytime drama". The Boston Herald – via NewsBank.
- ^ a b Froelich, Janis D. (January 24, 1998). "How-to TV - More viewers are turning to the tube for tips on home improvements, crafts and gardening". The Tampa Tribune.
- ^ Toscano, Tony (May 31, 2024). "Lauren-Marie Taylor - In a Violent Nature". The Screen Chatter Interview. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Not the Final Girl Podcast with Lauren-Marie Taylor". Podbean. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ Ornelas, Stephanie (January 23, 2024). ""In A Violent Nature": Festivalgoers Look Through the Eyes of a Murderer". Sundance Film Festival. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024.
- ^ "In a Violent Nature". IFC Films. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024.
- ^ a b Melanson, Angel (April 17, 2024). "Caroline Williams Joins Christmas Horror Movie He Sees You When You're Sleeping". Fangoria. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024.
- ^ "#14 - Friday the 13th, Part 2 Film Review w/ Lauren-Marie Taylor". High On Horror. September 27, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ a b "Lauren-Marie Taylor". AllMovie. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Lauren-Marie Taylor List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Squires, John (January 30, 2024). "'In a Violent Nature' – Watch the Teaser Trailer for Slasher Movie Shot from the Killer's Perspective". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.