Ricki Lake

Ricki Pamela Lake (born September 21, 1968) is an American actress and television host, best known for her starring role as Tracy Turnblad in the original Hairspray and for her talk show. Lake was born to a Jewish family in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, the daughter of Jill, a homemaker, and Barry Lake, a pharmacist. She attended Ithaca College and the Professional Children's School. Lake made her film debut as Tracy Turnblad, the lead character in John Waters' 1988 film Hairspray. She appeared in several other Waters films including Cecil B. Demented, Cry-Baby, and Serial Mom. She also appeared in such films as Mrs. Winterbourne, Cabin Boy, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Cookie, Inside Monkey Zetterland, and the television movie Baby Cakes. In 1989, Lake joined the cast of the Vietnam War drama series China Beach as Red Cross volunteer Holly. She later went on to have recurring role as Doug's sister Stephanie on the TV series King of Queens. She has also guest-starred on television series including Drop Dead Diva and a voice role on King of the Hill. Lake made a cameo appearance in the 2007 movie musical Hairspray as a William Morris talent agent.