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Laura Prepon
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Laura Prepon (/ˈpriːpɒn/ PREE-pon; born March 7, 1980[1]) is an American actress and television director. She rose to fame with her role as Donna Pinciotti in the Fox sitcom That '70s Show (1998–2006). She is also known for portraying Alex Vause in the Netflix comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019). Prepon made her film debut in 2001 with the independent drama Southlander. Her other films include the romantic drama Come Early Morning (2006), the comedy Lay the Favorite (2012), the thriller The Girl on the Train (2016), and the drama The Hero (2017).

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Prepon was born in Watchung, New Jersey.[1] She is the youngest of five children of Marjorie (née Coll), a high school teacher and gourmet home chef, and Michael Prepon, an orthopedic surgeon.[1] When Prepon was 13, her father died during heart surgery in 1993 at age 49.[2] She attended Watchung Hills Regional High School until she was 15, then studied at the Total Theatre Lab in New York City.[1] Her father was Jewish, of Eastern European Jewish descent, and her mother has mostly Irish Catholic ancestry.[3][4] Her paternal grandfather Louis Prepon was from a town in present-day Ukraine that, over different periods, was part of the Russian Empire and Poland. Her maternal great-great-great-grandfather was Union Army General Joseph Bradford Carr.[5]

Career

[edit]

1995–2005

[edit]

Prepon appeared in plays such as A Woman of Property and Ascension Day while in New York.[1] In 1996, she studied drama with acting teacher Caroline Thomas at Thomas' Total Theatre Lab.[6] Later, in September 1997, she premiered on a Levi Strauss-developed show called They Go On, an Internet-based soap opera.[7] Prepon had also worked as a model and has done photo shoots in Paris, Milan, and Brazil.[1]

Prepon starred as Donna Pinciotti on the Fox sitcom That '70s Show from 1998 to 2006. Donna became the girlfriend and next-door neighbor of Eric Forman (Topher Grace). Randy Pearson (Josh Meyers), who was introduced in the eighth and final season of the series, became Donna's third love interest after Grace left the series. Prepon attended film school while she worked on That '70s Show.[8]

Prepon co-starred in the college comedy Slackers (2002), about three best friends who are blackmailed for cheating their way through college.[9] She was nominated for a Teen Choice Award in 2002 for her role in That '70s Show.[10] In 2001, she made her film debut in Steve Hanft's musical comedy-drama Southlander with Beck, Beth Orton and Hank Williams III, where she played Seven=Five, a young TV telepathic. In 2004, Prepon worked on the independent drama film The Pornographer: A Love Story. The film tells the story of an obsessive relationship between a director and an actress.

Prepon was named one of Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" in 2002 and one of Maxim magazine's "Hot 100" in 2005.[11] Prepon had a cameo voice appearance as a United Nations Space Command marine in Halo 2, which was released in 2004.[12] Her first notable film role came in 2004 with the dark drama Lightning Bug with Bret Harrison, Kevin Gage and Ashley Laurence. Branching into other arenas than acting, Prepon also served as executive producer of the film.[citation needed] She also appeared on an episode of MTV's Cribs in 2003.[13]

2005–2010

[edit]
Prepon in 2008

In 2006, Prepon co-starred with Misha Collins in the psychological thriller Karla, based on the true story of Paul Bernardo and his wife Karla Homolka, a Canadian couple who kidnapped, sexually abused, and murdered three girls, marking a contrast to her usual lighthearted roles.[14] She was also an executive producer of E! Hollywood Hold'em the same year.[15] Prepon co-starred with Bryan Greenberg as Hannah Daniels in the ABC drama October Road, which debuted March 15, 2007. The show was canceled by ABC on May 12, 2008, despite strong ratings and a grassroots campaign from the show's fanbase to keep the show alive. In April 2007, she starred in a dramatic short film Once Upon a Time. She also appeared in the 2005 Oxygen romantic comedy Romancing the Bride. She also was the original voice for Hayley Smith on the Fox animated sitcom American Dad! and voiced her in an unaired pilot.[citation needed] She appeared as Lauren, the long-lost sister of Mary Shannon (Mary McCormack) in the USA Network mystery drama In Plain Sight in the episode "A Frond in Need".[16] On February 5, 2010, it was announced that Prepon signed on to star in Awkward Situations for Men, a pilot on ABC.[17] In 2009, Prepon appeared in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother as Karen, one of the girlfriends of Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor), in the episode "Sorry, Bro". She reprised her role in the episodes "The Front Porch" in 2009 and "Say Cheese" in 2010. She also appeared in the Fox medical drama House M.D. in the episode "Private Lives".[18]

Prepon had been taking directing classes at the Art Center College of Design. She directed a short film, Abide with Me, about a 10-year-old boy who, "upon bearing witness to his father's murder, is rendered mute". Prepon stated she plans on making Abide with Me into a feature film.[19]

2011–present

[edit]

In early 2011, Prepon guest-starred in an episode of the ABC police procedural drama Castle as an actress studying for the role of Nikki Heat, a character created by Nathan Fillion's title character.[20] Prepon had been working on a web series, Neighbros, which she directed and edited, starring her then-boyfriend Scott Michael Foster. They had sold the series to Comedy Central.[21][22] In February 2011, she was cast as the title character Chelsea Newman on the NBC sitcom Are You There, Chelsea?, based on Chelsea Handler's 2008 book Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea.[23] NBC premiered the show on January 11, 2012,[24] and canceled it on May 11, 2012. She guest-starred in the TBS sitcom Men at Work.[25] In mid-2012, Prepon signed on to co-star with Taylor Schilling in the Netflix original comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black, based on Piper Kerman's 2010 memoir Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison. She was cast as Alex Vause, a former drug importer and girlfriend of Piper Chapman (Schilling). The series premiered on July 11, 2013.[26] Prepon was a regular in the first season, but appeared in only four of the 13 episodes in the second season. She returned as a series regular in the third season.[27]

In 2016, Prepon and nutritionist Elizabeth Troy co-wrote The Stash Plan, a wellness book that draws on Prepon's experiences eating organic foods since she was a child, and her struggles with weight, low energy, and digestive issues.[28][29][30] The book debuted at No. 10 under "Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous" on The New York Times Best Seller list.[31] Since publishing The Stash Plan, Prepon has expanded her cooking career, launching a line of kitchenware products called PrepOn Kitchen and regularly posting instructional videos online.[32]

In 2016, Prepon appeared in the psychological thriller The Girl on the Train, based on Paula Hawkins' novel of the same name.[33] In 2017, she played Charlotte opposite Sam Elliott in The Hero.[34] Prepon directed the tenth episode of Orange Is the New Black's fifth season, titled "The Reverse Midas Touch".[35] On April 30, 2022, it was announced that Prepon would have a guest appearance in the follow-up sitcom, That '90s Show.[36] That 90's Show debuted January 19, 2023 on Netflix.

Personal life

[edit]

Prepon was in a relationship with Christopher Masterson, Danny Masterson's brother, from 1999 to 2007.[37][38] She later dated Scott Michael Foster for several years, but said in 2013 they had broken up.[39][22]

In August 2017, Prepon gave birth to a daughter with fiancé actor Ben Foster.[40][41] Prepon and Foster married in June 2018.[42] Their second child, a son, was born in February 2020.[43] Ben Foster filed for divorce from Prepon on November 12, 2024, citing “irreconcilable differences”.[44]

Prepon became a Scientologist in 1999.[45] In 2021, she revealed that she had not practiced Scientology since 2016 and it was no longer a part of her life.[46]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1998 Pleasantville Extra
2001 Southlander Seven Equals Five
2002 Slackers Reanna Cass
2004 Lightning Bug Angevin Duvet Also executive producer
2004 The Pornographer: A Love Story[47]
2006 Karla Karla Homolka
2006 Come Early Morning Kim
2007 Once Upon a Time[citation needed] The Witch Short film
2007 The Chosen One Rachel Cruz (voice)
2012 Lay the Favorite Holly
2012 The Kitchen Jennifer
2016 The Girl on the Train Cathy
2017 The Hero Charlotte Dylan

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1998–2006 That '70s Show Donna Pinciotti Main role; 200 episodes
2004 King of the Hill April (voice) Episode: "Talking Shop"
2005 American Dad! Hayley Smith (voice) Unaired pilot
2005 Romancing the Bride Melissa Television film
2007–2008 October Road Hannah Jane Daniels Main role; 19 episodes
2009–2010 How I Met Your Mother Karen Guest role; 3 episodes, seasons 4 and 5
2009 In Plain Sight Lauren Hefferman Episode: "A Frond in Need"
2010 House Frankie Episode: "Private Lives"
2010 Celebrity Ghost Stories Herself Episode #2.9
2011 Castle Natalie Rhodes/Nikki Heat Episode: "Nikki Heat"
2011 Love Bites Alex Episode: "Keep on Truckin'"
2011 The Killing Game Eve Duncan Television film
2011 Neighbros L Boogie Web series; director and editor
2012 Are You There, Chelsea? Chelsea Newman Main role; 12 episodes
2012 Men at Work Hannah Episode: "Plan B"
2013–2019 Orange Is the New Black Alex Vause Main role (season 1, 3–7), recurring role (season 2); 82 episodes
Directed season 5, episode 10: "The Reverse Midas Touch", season 6, episode 11: "Well This Took a Dark Turn", season 7, episode 5: "Minority Deport"
2023–2024 That '90s Show Donna Pinciotti-Forman Guest role (7 episodes) Director (10 episodes)

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Organization Category Work Result Ref
1999 Young Artist Award Best Performance in a TV Series – Young Ensemble That '70s Show Nominated [48]
Teen Choice Awards TV – Breakout Performance Nominated
2002 Teen Choice Awards TV – Choice Actress, Comedy Nominated [49]
2014 Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Orange Is the New Black Won [50]
Best Cast – Television Series Won
2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won [51]
2017 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won [52]
The Creative Coalition Spotlight Initiative Awards — — Won [53][54]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Laura Prepon

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Laura Helene Prepon (born March 7, 1980) is an American actress, television director, and author.
She rose to prominence portraying the tomboyish Donna Pinciotti in the Fox sitcom That '70s Show from 1998 to 2006, a role that established her as a leading television actress of the era.
Prepon later achieved further acclaim for her portrayal of the complex inmate Alex Vause in Netflix's Orange Is the New Black from 2013 to 2019, earning a Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series in 2014.
In addition to acting, she directed multiple episodes of Orange Is the New Black and authored the cookbook You and I Eat the Same: Chef's Guide to Making Every Meal Delicious, published in 2018.
Prepon was raised Catholic but became a devotee of Scientology in adulthood, promoting the organization publicly before quietly distancing herself around 2016.
She married actor Ben Foster in 2018 after a prior engagement; the couple share two children but divorced in 2024 following Foster's filing the previous year.

Early life

Family background and childhood

Laura Prepon was born on March 7, 1980, in , as the youngest of five children in a close-knit family. Her father, Michael Prepon, was an orthopedic surgeon of Ukrainian Jewish and Russian Jewish descent, while her mother, Marjorie (née Coll), worked as a high school teacher and gourmet home chef with Irish, English, and distant German ancestry. Prepon's siblings include one brother, Brad, and three sisters: , , and . Prepon's childhood was marked by the sudden death of her father from a heart attack in 1993, when she was 13 years old, an event that profoundly impacted her family dynamics. Raised primarily in Watchung, she grew up in an environment blending her parents' professional influences, though specific details on daily family life remain limited in .

Education and initial pursuits

Prepon attended in , until 1995. At age 15, she developed a strong interest in and transferred to the Total Theater Lab in for specialized under instructor Caroline . During this period, she participated in theatrical productions including A Woman of Property and Ascension Day. In addition to acting studies, Prepon pursued training in ballet, jazz, and modern dance, reflecting early interests in performing arts. Her initial foray into professional work came via a commercial for Uncle Ben's Rice, which she described as an enjoyable entry point that reinforced her enthusiasm for the field. She briefly engaged in modeling around age 15 but expressed disinterest in it as a primary pursuit, viewing it as an unintended detour rather than a deliberate career path. These experiences laid the groundwork for her transition to on-camera roles in the mid-1990s.

Career

Early roles and breakthrough (1991–2006)

Prepon commenced her entertainment career as a model at age 15 in 1995, including runway appearances in , though she later expressed dissatisfaction with modeling and pursued instead. Her initial acting work consisted of television commercials, beginning with an MCI advertisement and followed by spots for Uncle Ben's Rice and Clean and Clear. In September 1997, Prepon debuted in the Levi Strauss-sponsored internet They Go On, portraying the character Chloe in this early web-based series targeted at young audiences. Prepon achieved her breakthrough role as Donna Pinciotti, the intelligent and independent love interest in the sitcom , which premiered on August 23, 1998, and concluded after 200 episodes on May 18, 2006. The ensemble series, set in 1970s , co-starred actors such as as Eric Forman and as , and Prepon's performance as the tomboyish Donna, characterized by her height and red hair, contributed to the show's popularity and her emergence as a television star. Concurrent with That '70s Show, Prepon expanded into film with supporting roles in Southlander (2000), the comedy Slackers (2002), the horror drama Lightning Bug (2004), and the independent film Come Early Morning (2006), where she played the lead opposite . These projects marked her initial forays into cinema amid her television commitments.

Mid-career transitions and film work (2007–2012)

Following the end of in May 2007, Prepon shifted toward dramatic roles to demonstrate greater range beyond sitcom comedy. She starred as Hannah Daniels, the high school sweetheart and romantic interest of the lead character, in the ABC drama series October Road, which debuted on March 15, 2007, and explored themes of returning home and unresolved relationships; the show ran for 19 episodes across two seasons before cancellation in May 2008 due to low ratings. This marked her first lead in a non-comedic network series, though it received mixed critical reception for its predictable plotting. Prepon followed with guest appearances that highlighted versatility, including a recurring role as Karen, a love interest for Ted Mosby, across three episodes of CBS's How I Met Your Mother in 2009 and 2010. By 2012, she returned to comedy leads with Are You There, Chelsea?, an NBC sitcom loosely based on Chelsea Handler's memoir, where Prepon portrayed the irreverent bartender Chelsea Newman; the series premiered on January 11, 2012, but was pulled after one season of 13 episodes amid poor viewership and reviews criticizing its uneven humor. In film, Prepon's output was limited but included a supporting turn as Holly, a motel neighbor advising the protagonist on gambling, in the 2012 comedy-drama , directed by and starring as a bookie; the film, adapted from Beth Raymer's memoir, grossed under $1.5 million worldwide and earned a 18% approval rating for its formulaic narrative. She also appeared in the TV movie The Chosen One (2010), playing a mystical figure in a fantasy comedy about a boy discovering his powers. This period reflected Prepon's efforts to balance television leads with selective film roles amid a transitional phase of short-lived projects.

Orange Is the New Black era and directing (2013–2019)

Prepon was cast as Alex Vause, the sophisticated drug smuggler and ex-lover of protagonist Piper Chapman, in Netflix's Orange Is the New Black, with the role announced on September 17, 2012. The series premiered on July 11, 2013, and Prepon appeared in the pilot episode, establishing Vause as a central figure in the show's narrative of female inmates at Litchfield Penitentiary. Her character was initially recurring in season 2 due to scheduling conflicts but became a series regular from season 3 onward, appearing in 82 episodes across the seven-season run ending in 2019. Vause's storyline evolved to explore themes of power dynamics, , and within the , with Prepon's performance contributing to the ensemble's recognition, including multiple Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series from to 2018. Prepon's portrayal drew on her prior experience in long-form television, emphasizing Vause's complex relationship with Chapman amid escalating prison tensions, such as riots and administrative changes depicted in later seasons. During the series, Prepon transitioned into directing, helming the tenth episode of season 5, titled "The Toss-Offs," released in 2017, which featured intense hostage standoff sequences filmed under tight constraints of two days for key scenes. She continued directing one episode per season in seasons 6 (2018) and 7 (2019), marking her as the first regular cast member to take on this role and showcasing her ability to manage the show's ensemble dynamics and production challenges while performing. These efforts highlighted her growing behind-the-camera involvement, though no individual directing awards were received; the episodes were praised internally for their pacing and fidelity to the series' tone.

Recent projects and shifts (2020–present)

Following the conclusion of Orange Is the New Black in July 2019, Prepon shifted focus toward authorship and family-oriented endeavors. On April 7, 2020, she released You and I, as Mothers: A Raw and Honest Guide to Motherhood, a nonfiction book offering practical advice on intuition-based parenting, stress reduction, self-care, and maternal well-being, drawing from her experiences as a mother of two. The publication aligned with the birth of her second child, a son, in 2020, emphasizing a pivot from on-screen roles to personal wellness and guidance literature. In May 2021, Prepon expanded into consumer products by launching PrepOn Kitchen, a line of eco-friendly food preparation tools sold through , including compostable prep bags, silicone lids, cutting boards, and utensils designed to streamline meal prepping and reduce waste. This venture built on her earlier 2016 cookbook The Stash Plan and reflected a broader entrepreneurial turn toward lifestyle and culinary accessories, with Prepon promoting the items via and her website for home organization and healthy cooking. Prepon returned to directing in 2023, helming 10 episodes of , the Netflix sequel series to , marking a selective re-engagement with production rather than acting. This role leveraged her prior experience directing episodes of but indicated no major new acting commitments, suggesting a deliberate reduction in performance work amid family priorities and personal transitions, including her public disclosure in 2021 of having ceased involvement with approximately five years prior. By 2025, her professional output remained centered on these diversified, lower-profile pursuits, with limited visibility in mainstream entertainment projects.

Personal life

Relationships and marriages

Prepon dated actor from 1998 to 1999 while co-starring on . She then entered a relationship with actor , brother of her co-star Danny Masterson, lasting from 1999 to 2007. Following that, Prepon was involved with actor from 2008 to 2013. Prepon began a romantic relationship with actor Ben Foster around 2015, after knowing him since their teenage years through mutual connections in the entertainment industry. The couple welcomed a daughter in 2017 and married on May 25, 2018, in an intimate ceremony. They had a second child, a son, though the exact birth date has not been publicly disclosed. Foster filed for on September 9, 2024, citing and listing the same date as their separation. In a March 2025 amended filing, Foster alleged "inappropriate marital conduct" by Prepon, including claims of cruel treatment. Prepon countered in December 2024 filings that Foster had spent an "inordinate" amount of time away from the family. The was settled in April 2025, with the couple upholding their and of their children; specific financial details included Prepon's monthly income of approximately $20,000 and Foster's of $50,000 at the time of filing.

Motherhood and family dynamics

Prepon gave birth to her first child, daughter Ella, with then-fiancé Ben Foster in August 2017. The couple welcomed a second child, a son whose name they have not disclosed publicly, in 2020. Prepon has described the early stages of motherhood as transformative yet challenging, noting in a 2020 interview that it "threw her for a loop" due to unexpected emotional and physical demands after her daughter's arrival. In her 2020 memoir You and I, as Mothers: A Raw and Honest Guide to Motherhood, Prepon detailed struggles with postpartum anxiety following Ella's birth, including feelings of isolation and loss of self-identity, which she attributed to inadequate preparation beyond pregnancy-focused resources. She recounted practical family adjustments, such as her daughter's reaction to the newborn son—urinating on him during an initial meeting—and emphasized routines like early bedtimes for children to allow parental downtime. Prepon positioned the book as a candid resource for mothers, drawing from personal experiences rather than idealized narratives, and highlighted and self-reflection as coping mechanisms. Prepon and Foster married in June 2018 but faced marital strain leading to Foster's divorce filing in November 2024 after over six years of marriage, citing ; the couple shares two minor children. Court documents revealed mutual accusations of "inappropriate marital conduct," with Prepon alleging Foster's "habitual drunkenness" and , while Foster countered with claims against Prepon. The proceedings, described in media reports as contentious, culminated in a settlement by early 2025, after which Foster relocated to Nashville, citing proximity to for child visitation. Prepon has occasionally shared positive glimpses of co-parenting, such as family outings to museums with the children in 2023.

Health disclosures and memoir

In her 2020 memoir You and I, as Mothers: A Raw and Honest Guide to Motherhood, Prepon recounts elements of her unconventional upbringing, including her mother's instruction in bulimic behaviors at age 15, which she practiced until her late twenties. The book blends personal anecdotes with practical advice on motherhood, emphasizing , stress reduction, and partnership dynamics, while reflecting on how her family history influenced her approach. Prepon has publicly disclosed several health conditions contributing to her lifelong weight management challenges, including celiac disease, , and allergies to and , which prompted a gluten-free, mostly organic diet to alleviate symptoms and boost energy. In her 2016 diet book The Stash Plan, she details prior extreme measures, such as self-administering HCG hormone injections for , and issues with her liver and , which her nutritional plan addressed by improving without restrictive counting. These revelations underscore her shift toward sustainable, 80/20 dietary principles focused on whole foods like bone broth and home-prepped meals.

Religious involvement

Scientology membership and advocacy

Prepon joined the in 1999 while starring on , where she was introduced to the organization through co-star , whose family were longtime members. She credited the group's auditing practices with enhancing her emotional resilience, stating in a 2006 interview that after involvement, "things don't bother me that used to." Her membership, which lasted until approximately 2016, involved active participation in 's core processes, including auditing sessions aimed at clearing mental "charge." Prepon promoted these practices publicly, appearing in the Church's Celebrity magazine in July 2015, where she described auditing as transformative: "Honestly, I’ve become more me. The auditing has stripped away all of this charge, false ideas, decisions and misemotions that were affecting me." In the same interview, published by the Church's promotional outlet, she called her initial encounter with "amazing," adding, "I felt that finally something was speaking my language." Prepon defended Scientology against external misconceptions in interviews, asserting that much criticism stemmed from ignorance: "The thing that sucks is that there's so much false data because people are in mystery as to what Scientology is, so they just kind of make up stuff." She highlighted personal benefits, such as reduced reactivity to stressors, telling Complex in 2015 that Scientology made her life "much easier" and less affected by external pressures. These statements positioned her as a vocal proponent during her tenure, aligning with the Church's strategy of leveraging celebrity endorsements to counter public scrutiny.

Departure from Scientology and aftermath

In August 2021, Laura Prepon disclosed that she ceased practicing approximately five years earlier, around 2016, stating, "I'm no longer practicing " and that it was "no longer part of my life." She described the decision as part of her broader spiritual evolution, noting her Catholic upbringing and openness to various practices, including courses like Personal Values and Integrity and Overcoming Ups and Downs in before her involvement deepened. Prepon attributed her exit in part to motherhood, explaining that raising her children with husband Ben Foster prompted a shift toward daily as a , which she found more aligned with her current needs. Following her departure, she reported feeling "relieved" to pursue life and independently, emphasizing a focus on personal growth over . The announcement drew criticism from former Scientologist Leah Remini, who expressed a lack of respect for Prepon's quiet exit without publicly condemning the church's alleged abuses, stating during a September 2021 appearance on Daily Blast Live that Prepon failed to "use her voice" against the organization despite her celebrity platform. Remini, a prominent Scientology critic known for her 2015 book Troublemaker and A&E series exposing church practices, argued that silent departures enable the group's continuation, though Prepon has not publicly responded to these remarks. No reported professional or legal repercussions from the Church of Scientology followed Prepon's disclosure, and she has maintained privacy on further details of her spiritual life since.

Controversies

Prepon dated , her co-star on and a fellow Scientologist, from 1995 until approximately 2006. The relationship placed her within Scientology's Hollywood network during a period when Masterson faced later scrutiny for alleged sexual assaults. On May 31, 2023, Masterson was convicted by a on two counts of forcible committed against Scientologist women in separate incidents at his home in April and October 2003, with sentencing to 30 years to life in prison following on September 7, 2023. The victims, who were active church members at the time, testified that doctrine and officials discouraged police reports, labeling external complaints as "suppressive acts" punishable by investigations and potential disconnection from . In a June 2020 civil lawsuit filed by four women (including two from the criminal case), plaintiffs accused the of orchestrating a , including , threats, and to intimidate victims into silence and protect Masterson as an "" level member whose status allegedly shielded him from accountability. Prepon, still practicing in 2003, has not been named in court filings as directly involved in these efforts, though her association with Masterson and the church during the assaults has drawn retrospective scrutiny from critics of 's handling of claims. Prepon has maintained public silence on Masterson's conviction and the related allegations, despite their shared history and her later departure from the church around 2016. This reticence has fueled criticism, notably from ex-Scientologist , who in September 2021 stated she does not "respect" Prepon's exit for failing to publicly condemn the organization's practices, including those implicated in the Masterson case, asserting that quiet disengagement avoids accountability for known abuses. Remini, drawing from her own advocacy against Scientology's alleged suppression of dissent and victim mistreatment, contrasted Prepon's approach with more vocal defections that highlight systemic issues like the church's reported policy of prioritizing internal handling over involvement. Prepon's representatives have not responded to queries on these ties, and no legal actions have implicated her personally in the cover-up allegations. Ben Foster filed for from Laura Prepon in November 2024 in , citing after six years of marriage; the couple had separated on September 9, 2024. In March 2025, Foster amended his petition, alleging Prepon engaged in "inappropriate marital conduct" that rendered him "nervous, sick, tired and in ill health," as well as "cruel and inhuman treatment." Prepon filed a counter-complaint the same month, accusing Foster of "habitual drunkenness" that endangered her health and safety, alongside reciprocal claims of "inappropriate marital conduct" and "cruel and inhuman treatment." The dispute included contention over and support for their two minor children, with court documents revealing Prepon's annual income exceeded $1 million from acting residuals and endorsements, while Foster's was under $100,000; Prepon sought to deny Foster spousal support. The couple reached a settlement in April 2025, upholding their 2018 prenuptial agreement, granting joint legal and physical custody, establishing payments from Prepon to Foster, and allowing each to retain their vehicles; no details on asset division beyond the prenup were publicly disclosed. In August 2025, they jointly sold their $4 million Nashville-area home, which had been listed amid the proceedings.

Reception and legacy

Critical assessments and awards

Prepon's portrayal of Donna Pinciotti on (1998–2006) garnered popularity among audiences for depicting a tomboyish, independent character, contributing to the series' commercial success as a sitcom averaging 10–12 million viewers per season. However, her acting has faced criticism for appearing wooden and inconsistent, particularly in background scenes where emotional subtlety was lacking, as noted in fan analyses and retrospective discussions. Professional outlets have acknowledged her ability to embody relatable traits, such as level-headedness contrasting the lead's insecurities, but without widespread acclaim for technical prowess. In (2013–2019), Prepon's role as evolved from recurring to series regular, earning praise for subtle intensity in a supporting capacity within Netflix's ensemble drama, which maintained critical favor for its early seasons' despite later tonal shifts. Reviews highlighted her contribution to character dynamics, such as volatile relationships driving plot tension, though individual performances were often subsumed under ensemble evaluations, with some user critiques labeling her delivery as flat amid the show's darker arcs. The series' overall reception praised its ensemble, including Prepon, for sustaining viewer engagement across seven seasons, peaking at 81% approval for Season 1. Prepon has received limited individual accolades, focusing on teen-oriented and supporting recognitions rather than major dramatic honors like Emmys. Her awards include a 2013 Satellite Award win for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, , or for Orange Is the New Black.
YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
1999TV – Breakout PerformanceNominated
2002TV – Choice Actress, Nominated
2013Best Supporting Actress – Series, or Won
2016Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a SeriesWon (ensemble)
2017Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a SeriesWon (ensemble)
2018Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a SeriesNominated (ensemble)
These honors reflect her role in popular ensemble projects rather than solo critical breakthroughs, aligning with a career trajectory emphasizing accessible television characters over auteur-driven acclaim.

Public image and cultural impact

Laura Prepon's public image has been predominantly defined by her television roles, with Donna Pinciotti in That '70s Show (1998–2006) establishing her as a relatable, strong-willed character that resonated with audiences during the show's peak viewership of over 10 million per episode in its early seasons. Her portrayal contributed to the series' enduring nostalgic appeal, often cited in discussions of 1990s-2000s sitcom dynamics featuring ensemble casts navigating teenage relationships and family life. In (2013–2019), Prepon's depiction of , a tough yet vulnerable inmate in a central , earned her a dedicated fanbase, including reports of the character influencing personal milestones such as one viewer's decision to come out to their family. Vause's arc, spanning romantic tension and survival in a , amplified Prepon's visibility, with the series averaging 4-5 million viewers per season on and her directing four episodes enhancing her behind-the-scenes reputation. However, the role's cultural footprint remains tied to the ensemble's exploration of incarceration, which has faced scrutiny for dramatizing systemic issues without fully addressing empirical realities of prison conditions. Prepon's longstanding association with , which she joined in the early 2000s and publicly endorsed in 2015 for improving her acting and life management, significantly impacted her perception amid the church's controversies. Reports from a 2020 civil lawsuit against the church alleged efforts by members, including Prepon, to pressure Danny Masterson's accusers into silence, linking her to the co-star's 2023 rape conviction and 30-year sentence—claims she has not publicly addressed. Her quiet departure around 2016, disclosed in 2021, drew mixed reactions; while she cited motherhood and openness to meditation, critics like faulted her for not denouncing the organization, viewing the exit as evasive rather than principled. Recent personal developments have further complicated her image. During her 2025 divorce from Ben Foster, finalized in April after disputes over finances and children's religious upbringing, Foster's legal team accused Prepon of an "obsession with presenting a false public image," portraying her as prioritizing curated narratives over transparency. This echoes broader perceptions of her maintaining amid scrutiny, with limited cultural impact beyond her roles' contributions to genre-specific tropes in sitcoms and prestige dramas. Prepon's memoir You and I, as Mothers (2020) and advocacy for have positioned her as a wellness advocate, though these efforts have not substantially shifted her profile from actress to influencer.

Filmography

Film roles

Prepon's feature film career began with smaller independent projects and evolved into supporting roles in mainstream comedies and dramas. Her debut came in the 2001 independent drama , where she portrayed Seven Equals Five, a character in a story about a musician's quest for a . In 2002, she starred in the college comedy as Reanna Cass, a free-spirited involved in the film's antics surrounding and romance. The film featured a young ensemble including and . Prepon took on the role of Kim, a supportive , in the 2006 romantic drama , which follows a grappling with personal demons and fleeting relationships; the film starred and was directed by . That same year, she played in the biographical crime film Karla, depicting the real-life accomplice in the crimes of . Her roles in 2012 included Jennifer, a central figure in the ensemble -drama The Kitchen, set during a chaotic birthday party exploring relationships and life transitions. Also in 2012, she appeared as in Lay the Favorite, a alongside and , based on a about professional betting. In 2016, Prepon played Cathy in the psychological thriller The Girl on the Train, an adaptation of Paula Hawkins' novel involving unreliable narrators and mystery; the film starred Emily Blunt. Her most recent major film role was Charlotte Dylan in the 2017 drama The Hero, opposite Sam Elliott as a fading actor confronting his legacy and health issues.

Television roles

Prepon first achieved widespread recognition for her portrayal of Donna Pinciotti, the independent and tomboyish love interest of the protagonist Eric Forman, in the Fox sitcom That '70s Show, which ran for eight seasons from 1998 to 2006. The series, set in the late 1970s, followed a group of Wisconsin teenagers, with Prepon appearing in 182 of the 200 episodes. Following the conclusion of , Prepon starred as Hannah Daniels, a complex love interest entangled in the protagonist's unresolved past, in the ABC drama October Road, which aired from 2007 to 2012 across two seasons. She then took the lead role of Chelsea Newman, a fictionalized version of comedian , in the short-lived NBC sitcom Are You There, Chelsea?, which premiered on January 19, 2012, and was canceled after one season due to low ratings. Prepon's role as , a sophisticated operative and romantic partner to the central character , became one of her most acclaimed performances in the series , spanning seven seasons from 2013 to 2019. Initially recurring in the first season, her character was promoted to series regular thereafter, appearing in over 70 episodes and contributing to the show's exploration of prison dynamics and interpersonal relationships. In 2023, Prepon reprised her role as Donna Pinciotti in the sequel series That '90s Show, a continuation featuring the adult versions of the original cast interacting with a new generation of Point Place teens; she appeared in multiple episodes across the first two parts of the multi-part season released that year. Prepon has also made guest appearances in various series, including voicing roles in and live-action parts in , , and .

References

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