Ricki Lake

Ricki Pamela Lake(born September 21, 1968) is an American television host and actress. She is known for her lead role as Tracy Turnblad in the 1988 filmHairspray, for which she received a nomination for theIndependent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.She is also known for hertalk show,Ricki Lake, which was broadcast internationally from September 1993 until May 2004.When the show debuted, she was 24 and credited as being the youngest person to host a syndicated talk show at the time. In late 2012, Lake began hosting a second syndicated talk show,The Ricki Lake Show. The series was canceled in 2013 after a single season, but Lake won her first Daytime Emmy Awardfor the project.She also starred in other Waters films includingCry-Baby,Cecil B. Demented, and Serial Mom. She starred inMrs. Winterbourne,Cabin Boy,Last Exit to Brooklyn, Cookie, andInside Monkey Zetterland.She joined the cast of theVietnam Wardrama seriesChina Beachas aRed Cross volunteer, Holly "theDonut Dolly" Pelegrino, for the show's third season. She also had a recurring role on the CBS sitcomThe King of Queensas Doug's sister Stephanie. She also had a cameo in the 2007 filmHairsprayas a talent agent and sang "Mama I'm A Big Girl Now" withNikki BlonskyandMarissa Jaret Winokurfor the film's end credits.In 2008, her documentary abouthome birthandmidwifery, The Business of Being Born, was released. She also jointly wrote a book, Your Best Birth, on the world ofnatural childbirthand birthing options, along withAbby Epstein and Jacques Moritz,which was published in 2009. Lake and Epstein also launched MyBestBirth.com, an online social network, powered by Ning, intended to allow parents and medical professionals to dialogue about varying birthing options and resources.She returned to television on May 11, 2009, succeedingSharon Osbourneas host for the third season ofVH1'sCharm School. On November 10, 2010, Lake joined fellow talkersPhil Donahue,Sally Jessy Raphael,Geraldo Rivera, andMontel Williamsas guests ofOprah WinfreyonThe Oprah Winfrey Show, marking the first time those hosts appeared together on one show since their respective programs left the air.She competed on the 13th season ofDancing with the Stars. She was partnered with three-time championDerek Houghand citedKirstie Alley's appearance as an inspiration to do the show. In October 2019, she began competing inThe X Factor: Celebrity.In March 2018, atSXSW, Lake and Epstein premiered their documentary filmWeed the People, examining the use ofcannabisas medicine and itsstatus as a Schedule I prohibited drugin the United States. The film focused in particular on the use of cannabis in the treatment ofpediatric cancer.