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Natasha Lyonne is an American stage, film, and television actress. As a young child, she was signed by the Ford Modeling Agency and, at the age of six, was cast as a role in Pee-Wee's Playhouse. Natasha remained busy with appearances in almost 30 films over the next 10 years, including some starring roles in independent films. Lyonne is perhaps best-known for her roles in the "American Pie" films as the wise-cracking "Jessica". After a hiatus in 2008, due to well-documented health and legal struggles, Lyonne returned to work, As a young child, she was signed by the Ford Modeling Agency and, at the age of six, she was cast as "Opal" on _"Pee-wee's Playhouse" and Aaron Braunstein, who is a talk radio host, boxing promoter, and race car driver. She is from a Jewish family. Her maternal grandparents, originally from Hungary, were Holocaust survivors who moved to Paris, France, where Natasha's mother was born.
Attended Yeshiva High School in Manhattan, where she acted in a school production of "The Magic Garden."
(28 August 2001) 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, "Im a movie star. Can I talk to my entertainment lawyer?"
She and her family briefly lived in Israel (where she filmed A Man Called Sarge ). 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.
In New York Citys Beth Israel Hospitals intensive care unit. Reportedly suffering from hepatitis C, a heart ailment and a collapsed lung. [August 2005]
Was originally set to play Candy in The Devils Rejects , but was replaced by Elizabeth Daily.
Has lived on her own since 16.
Was originally cast as Audie in the film Audie & the Wolf but was replaced by Tara Price.
After dropping out of NYUs Tisch School at age 17, she bought her own apartment, a penthouse with wraparound terrace in Manhattans Gramercy Park area, using two semesters worth of tuition to make the down payment.
Her parents are both of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Her maternal grandparents, Ella (Netzer) and Morris Buchinger, both originally from Hungary, were Holocaust survivors.
Her character in "Orange Is the New Black" mentions making The Exorcist jokes while being strapped down in the rehab clinic, which is a reference to her role in Scary Movie 2 .
Close friends with her "Orange Is the New Black" co-stars, Laura Prepon and Taylor Schilling.
Attended a Zionist military camp when she was 13 years old, living in Israel.
Longtime friend of Chlo Sevigny.
Natasha has worked with Michael Harney twice - in "Weeds" and "Orange Is the New Black" .
