Already known by pretty much anyone who has a Netflix account, Natasha Lyonne has graced the screens of film and television lovers and critics alike. Primarily recognized for playing Nicky Nichols on Netflix’s hit comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black, Lyonne has actively worked in the business as a director, writer, and producer. Back in 1986, she was also signed by the Ford Modeling Agency and cast as Opal on Pee-wee’s Playhouse.
Lyonne’s undeniable talent is backed up by her nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2014, in addition to her two-time Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. While her directorial debut began in 2017, creating the short film Cabiria, Charity, Charlotte, it opened up doors for her series Russian Doll tobecome acquired by Netflix,ordering eight episodes of the series’ first season, which will be releasing its highly-anticipated second season soon. This led to her and Maya Rudolph co-founding their production company Animal Pictures in 2018. With a number of upcoming projects slated to release soon, here’s a layout of Natasha Lyonne’s best performances.
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7 Orange Is the New Black
Netflix
Lyonne plays Nicole (Nicky) Nichols, an inmate at a Maximum Security Prison who routinely interacts with the other female inmates on the series Orange is the New Black, which arguably helped launch the Netflix brand alongside House of Cards. After becoming cellmates and great friends with the protagonist Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), we learn that Nicky comes from a wealthy family and is currently struggling with drugs, combined with the fallout from her dysfunctional family. It’s a street-smart, fun, and engaging performance that always steals the scenes she’s in.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
6 Sleeping With Other People
IFC Films
Sleeping With Other People is one of those films that makes running into an ex-lover awkward and fully uncomfortable. After participating in a one-night stand (12 years prior), Jake (Jason Sudeikis) and Lainey (Alison Brie) have an out-of-the-blue run-in, where they try to begin a platonic relationship with one another. Lyonne plays the character of Kara, the best friend of Lainey and the one who convinces her to sleep with a variety of people, in order to get over a past lover. Lyonne definitely excels in the always underrated best friend roles in romantic comedies.
5 Russian Doll
NBCUniversal Television Distribution
Starring in Russian Doll as Nadia Vulvokov, Natasha Lyonne is also doubled credited as a co-creator of the show, along with Amy Poehler, in addition to her standing as a writer and director for the Netflix original series. While caught in a mysterious time loop, in the midst of a New York City party, Nadia consecutively dies, as she repeats her final moments Nadia sets out to learn what is happening to her. It’s a charming performance that reminded the world of Lyonne’s brilliant comedic timing and leading lady potential.
4 American Pie
Universal Pictures
Focusing on five classmates who all attend East Great Falls High school, the teenage boys of American Pie create a pact to lose their virginity by prom night, before they all graduate. Lyonne portrays Jessica, Vicky’s sexually experienced friend who helps Vicky and Kevin with their relationship. As Jessica teaches Vicky about sex, she also conveys to Kevin his role in the encounter (i.e orgasms). Although her role in the film is limited, she makes her presence know by the unapologetic, extremely sexually comfortable aura that she gives off.
3 The Slums of Beverly Hills
Searchlight Pictures
Curious about sexuality and crushes, a teenaged Vivian is growing into her adult body and begins to feel uncomfortable being around her family, due to fears that they will embarrass her around her neighbor (who’s also her crush). As her cousin (Marisa Tomei) aids her uncle (Alan Arkin) in raising Vivian and her brothers, the family makes the move to a cheap Beverly Hills apartment, so that her and her brothers can attend the more respective schools that the town provides in the delightful film The Slums of Beverly Hills, a still underrated comedy with a wonderful early performance from Lyonne.
2 But I’m a Cheerleader
Lions Gate Films
Overachieving in both school and cheerleading, Megan (Natasha Lyonne) is painted as the stereotypical American girl who has it all in the great offbeat comedy But I’m a Cheerleader. While she has a handsome, star football-playing boyfriend (who she’s obviously not that into), her parents come to the conclusion that she must be gay. Because they’re completely awful in punishing her, if she decided to come out to them over time or not, they send her to a conversion camp, meant to alter her sexual orientation. During her time at True Directions, she begins to have feelings for Graham (an excellent Clea DuVall), one of the girls there who is unapologetic in her sexuality.
1 Everyone Says I Love You
Miramax
D.J. (Natasha Lyonne) has to deal with her problematic extended family after the divorce of her parents, wealthy Manhattanites Joe (Woody Allen) and Steffi (Goldie Hawn), in Everyone Says I Love You. As the family gears up for the wedding of her half-sister, Skylar (Drew Barrymore), and her fiancé, Holden (Edward Norton), things begin to take a turn for the worst once Charlie (Tim Roth), the man with an extensive criminal past, enters the circle. All while this family drama is front and center, a separated Joe finds love with Von (Julia Roberts) during a European trip. It’s a wild, complicated comedy with surprising bursts of musical numbers, and Lyonne shines.
