Laura Prepon
She evolved from a beloved sitcom best friend into a defining voice of a gritty, groundbreaking prison drama.
Born 1980 (age 46)·American actress·Birthday: March 7·Generation X
Biography
Laura Prepon's career is a study in successful reinvention. She stepped onto the scene as a teenager, landing the role of sharp-witted, fiercely loyal Donna Pinciotti on 'That '70s Show,' a part that made her a household name for eight seasons. After the show ended, she navigated a mix of film and television roles, searching for a new defining moment. She found it in the unlikeliest of places: a women's prison. Her portrayal of Alex Vause on Netflix's 'Orange Is the New Black' was a masterclass in quiet intensity, transforming a drug kingpin into a complex, magnetic figure at the heart of the show's emotional landscape. Prepon brought a cool, calculating depth to the role, her chemistry with co-star Taylor Schilling becoming a cultural touchstone. Beyond acting, she directed episodes of the series and authored books on wellness, carving a path as a multifaceted creative force who consistently defies easy categorization.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Laura was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Laura Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Laura's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as Donna Pinciotti for the entire eight-season run of the hit Fox sitcom 'That '70s Show.'
- Portrayed Alex Vause in the groundbreaking Netflix series 'Orange Is the New Black,' a role that earned widespread critical praise.
- Directed multiple episodes of 'Orange Is the New Black,' expanding her role behind the camera.
- Authored 'The Stash Plan,' a New York Times bestselling book on nutrition and lifestyle.
Did You Know?
She was discovered by a talent agent while working as a waitress at a New York City diner.
Prepon is a certified holistic health coach.
She is a longtime practitioner of Scientology.
Her first major acting job was on Broadway in the play 'The Metal Children.'
“I'm drawn to characters who are strong and have a lot of layers.”
