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Natasha Lyonne Profile |
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Birth Date: April 4, 1979
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Birth Place: New York, New York, USA
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Birth Name: Natasha Lyonne
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Height: 5'4"
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Biography |
Natasha Lyonne (sometimes credited as Natasha Leon) was born
on April 4, 1979, in New York, New York. She grew up in a
conservative Jewish household. Her father, Aaron Braunstein,
is a former boxing promoter and racecar driver, while her
mother, Yvette Lyonne, is a product licensing consultant and
former ballerina. Natasha began acting at an early age.
In 1986, she scored a recurring role as "Little Opal" on the
wildly popular children's TV show, Pee-wee's Playhouse.
Her family moved to Israel for a brief time, as her parents
tried to salvage their marriage. In Israel, she continued
acting and appeared in the movie A Man Called Sarge (1990).
But her parents divorced, and she moved back to New York and
lived with her mom and older brother Adam in a one-bedroom
apartment. Her father remained in Israel and Natasha has
been estranged from him ever since.
Upon her return, she resumed acting, landing a role in the
film Dennis the Menace (1993).
Angry and confused over the divorce of her parents, Natasha
hated her high school years and spent time in several
different schools. She first attended private Jewish school
at Manhattan's Yeshiva high school. Despite her hatred for
schooling, she continued to act, appearing in the Yeshiva's
production of The Magic Garden.
Natasha's frustration during these formative years caused
her to get into fistfights and skip school in order to be
alone and away from peers, who made fun of her lower
socioeconomic status. Her mother moved them to Miami, where
she switched to a public high school, but that did not work
out either. At 16, she left her mother in Miami and moved
back to New York on her own.
Lyonne's big break came when she was cast in the Woody Allen
musical, Everyone Says I Love You (1996). The role gave her
credibility and she immediately received early acceptance to
New York University, but she has since deferred enrollment
three times to pursue acting instead.
Her next big role was in 1998's Slums of Beverly Hills,
where she starred as Vivian Abromowitz in the
semiautobiographical film about a teen growing up in a lower
middle-class neighborhood in 1970s Hollywood. The role
garnered her a Chicago Film Critics Association nomination
for Most Promising Actress.
Her next film was the teen blockbuster, American Pie (1999);
her role as a sexually experienced teen must have caught the
attention of Gene Simmons, who handpicked her for the movie,
Detroit Rock City (1999).
Since then, Natasha Lyonne's credits include But I'm a
Cheerleader (1999), Scary Movie 2 (2001), American Pie 2
(2001), Kate & Leopold (2001), Party Monster (2003), and
Blade: Trinity (2004). Natasha also voiced a character for
the animated movie Robots (2005) and starred as Grace in the
2005 film, Max and Grace.
Natasha Lyonne closes off 2005 with roles in the Rob Zombie
flick, The Devil's Rejects, and the dark comedy, Francis
Hamper.
Natasha made headlines in 2001, when she was arrested in
Miami Beach for driving under the influence and leaving the
scene of an accident. Upon her arrest, she was quoted as
saying, "I'm a movie star. Can I talk to my entertainment
lawyer?"
On a personal note, she has been romantically linked to
Edward Furlong, her Detroit Rock City co-star, and actor
Adam Goldberg, who is now dating Christina Ricci. |
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Other
Information |
Dated & lived with actor Edward Furlong. [1998-2000]
Attended Yeshiva High School in Manhattan, where she acted
in a school production of "The Magic Garden."
Arrested by Miami Beach police on charges of driving under
the influence of alcohol, careless driving and leaving the
scene of an accident. Her rented Dodge ran off the road into
a traffic sign. She was arrested about 1:45am and released
after posting a bond during the day. Her statement to the
arresting officer was, "I'm a movie star. Can I talk to my
entertainment lawyer?" [28 August 2001]
Father, Aaron Braunstein, is a former boxing promoter and
racing car driver. Older brother Adam Lyonne was born in
1972.
She and her family briefly lived in Israel (where she filmed
A Man Called Sarge (1990)). After her parents divorced, she
moved back to New York with her mother and brother while her
father remained in Israel.
Rufus Wainwright's song "Natasha" is written about her.
Measurements: 32A bust (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
Born on the same day as actor Heath Ledger.
In New York City's Beth Israel Hospital's intensive care
unit. Reportedly suffering from hepatitis C, a heart ailment
and a collapsed lung. [August 2005]
Parents are Yvette Lyonne & Aaron Braunstein (divorced). |
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