Ricki Lake, (Born: September 21, 1968) is an American actress, television host, and producer. She became famous at 18 for playing Tracy Turnblad in the 1988 film Hairspray. Her talk show, The Ricki Lake Show (1993–2004), made her a household name as the youngest host at 24. She mixes her Hollywood career with advocacy for mental health and wellness, inspiring many with her resilience and joy.
Ricki Lake Wiki/Bio
| Stage Name | Ricki Lake |
| Real Name | Ricki Pamela Lake |
| Date of Birth | September 21, 1968 |
| Age | 56 years (as of 2025) |
| Profession | Actress, Talk Show Host, Producer |
| Known For | Hairspray (1988), The Ricki Lake Show (1993–2004), The Business of Being Born (2008) |
| Hometown | Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, USA |
| Religion | Secular Jewish |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
Physical Details
| Height | 5’4” (162 cm) |
| Weight | 130 lbs (59 kg, as of 2025) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Blonde (naturally, currently grey) |
Early Life
Ricki Lake was born in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, to a secular Jewish family. Her mother, Jill, was a homemaker, and her father, Barry, was a pharmacist. Her grandmother, Sylvia Lake, helped raise her until Sylvia’s death in 1978. Ricki grew up in a simple environment, attending Hastings Elementary School, Farragut Middle School, and Hastings High School for two years. Her early love for performing led to her breakout role in Hairspray at 18.
Education
| School | Hastings Elementary, Farragut Middle, Hastings High School |
| College/University | Not attended |
| Qualification | High School (did not pursue college) |
Ricki did not attend college, focusing on her acting career after high school. Her role in Hairspray launched her into fame, and she pursued entertainment full-time.
Family Details
Ricki’s family includes her parents, Jill and Barry Lake, who now live in Las Vegas, Nevada, and her younger sister, Jennifer. She was married to Rob Sussman (1994–2004), an illustrator, with whom she has two sons, Milo and Owen, now in their 20s.
She later married Christian Evans (2012–2015), who passed away in 2017 due to bipolar disorder and suicide. In 2022, Ricki married Ross Burningham, a former Mormon from San Diego. They live together in New York and have no children together but share six grown children from previous relationships.
Special Facts About Ricki Lake
- Became famous at 18 for playing Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray (1988), earning an Independent Spirit Award nomination.
- Hosted The Ricki Lake Show (1993–2004), becoming the youngest talk show host at 24.
- Won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2013 for The Ricki Lake Show revival.
- Shaved her head in 2019 due to androgenetic alopecia and later let her natural grey hair grow back.
- Lost 40 pounds in 2023–2024 without medications like Ozempic, using a keto diet, intermittent fasting, Pilates, and daily hikes.
- Underwent a lower face and neck lift in 2025 to address loose skin after weight loss, praising surgeon Dr. Allen Foulad.
- Lost her Malibu dream home, likely to fire, and moved back to New York in 2025 after 22 years.
- Advocates for mental health through Community Access, inspired by her late husband Christian Evans’ struggles.
Achievements
- Nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for Hairspray (1988).1
- Won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host for The Ricki Lake Show (2012–2013).2
- Produced The Business of Being Born (2008), sparking discussions on childbirth and women’s healthcare.3
- Became an ambassador for Community Access, supporting housing and job training for people with mental health issues.
- Successfully lost 40 pounds naturally, inspiring others with her health journey.
Career Highlights
Ricki Lake’s career began with her role as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray (1988), a film about dance and racial integration. She starred in films like Cry-Baby (1990) and appeared on TV shows like The King of Queens. Her talk show, The Ricki Lake Show (1993–2004), covered real-life issues and relationship disputes, running for 11 seasons. In 2012, she revived the show with a focus on serious topics, earning a Daytime Emmy.
Ricki also produced documentaries like The Business of Being Born (2008) and Weed the People (2018) about medical marijuana. In 2025, she returned to New York, continuing her advocacy and public appearances, including on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
Career Start
| Acting Debut | Hairspray (1988) |
| Breakthrough Role | Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray (1988) |
| Talk Show Debut | The Ricki Lake Show (1993) |
| Notable Production | The Business of Being Born (2008) |
Net Worth and Income
| Estimated Net Worth | $25 million (as of 2025) |
| Estimated Annual Income | $1–2 million from TV, producing, and endorsements |
| Income Sources | Acting, hosting, producing, social media, public appearances |
Controversies and Challenges
- Faced hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia, leading her to shave her head in 2019 and share her journey publicly.4
- Lost her Malibu home, likely to a fire, which included cherished items like her signed Hairspray script from 1987.
- Experienced personal tragedy with the suicide of her second husband, Christian Evans, in 2017, which inspired her mental health advocacy.
- Dealt with decades of weight fluctuations, facing public scrutiny, but achieved a 40-pound weight loss in 2023–2024 without medication.
Social Contributions
Ricki is an ambassador for Community Access, a New York-based charity celebrating 50 years in 2025. The organization provides housing, job training, and community support for homeless individuals with mental health challenges. She supports their 21 buildings and programs like HARP, inspired by her late husband’s struggle with bipolar disorder. Ricki also promotes body positivity and mental health awareness, sharing her weight loss and cosmetic surgery journey to reduce stigma.
Recent Updates
- June 2025: Revealed on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that she underwent a lower face and neck lift to address loose skin after losing 40 pounds.5
- June 2025: Moved back to New York after losing her Malibu home, settling in West Chelsea with husband Ross Burningham.
- May–June 2025: Celebrated as an ambassador for Community Access during their 50th-anniversary gala, advocating for mental health support.
- January 2025: Announced reaching her goal weight of 130 pounds after a 40-pound weight loss through lifestyle changes, not medication.
Lifestyle and Favorites
| Favorite Food | Healthy meals (supports her keto diet) |
| Favorite Activities | Hiking, Pilates, spending time with family |
| Favorite Destination | New York City, Malibu |
| Hobbies | Advocacy, producing, socializing with friends |
Connect with Ricki Lake on Social Media
- Instagram: instagram.com/rickilake
- Facebook: facebook.com/riromi
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