Laura Dern is an American actress who made her film debut in the movie “White Lightning.” She had a cameo role on the said film, in which her mother was in a starring role. Soon after, she had a supporting role in the film “Alice Doesn't Life Here Anymore.” She later starred on the film “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains.”

During the 1980s, Laura Dern gained critical praise for her roles in films such as “Mask” (by Peter Bogdanovich), “Blue Velvet” and “Wild at Heart” (by David Lynch). Her starring role in “Blue Velvet” served as her breakthrough role as an actress.

In 1992, Laura Dern and her mother, actress Diane Ladd were nominated for an Academy Award in the same film, “Rambling Rose.” The following year, she starred in director Steven Spielberg's “Jurassic Park” as Dr. Ellie Sattler. The movie turned to be a box office hit in the said year. Also in 1993, she worked alongside Clint Eastwood in the film “A Perfect World.”

In 1996, Laura Dern starred in the satire “Citizen Ruth,” directed by Alexander Payne. In 1997 she appeared in the music video for the song “Aunt Avis,” by Widespread Panic. In 1998, she starred in the film “The Baby Dance” opposite Stockard Channing. The film was produced by Jodie Foster.

In 1999, she was cast opposite Billy-Bob Thornton in the film “Daddy and Them.” The cast included once again her mother Diane Ladd, Andy Griffith, and Jim Varney. She also had a role in the film “October Sky,” which starred Jake Gyllenhaal. In 2000, she played the role of a champagne-loving aunt in the Robert Altman comedy, “Dr. T & the Women.”

In 2001, Laura Dern starred in the films “Within These Walls,” “Novocaine,” “Jurassic Park III,” “Focus” and
“I Am Sam.”

Throughout the 2000s, Laura Dern starred in more film projects, the most notable of which include “Damaged Care,” “We Don't Live Here Anymore” opposite Mark Ruffalo, “Happy Endings,” “The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio,” “Inland Empire” and “Lonely Hearts.”

In 2007, Laura Dern had a role in the film “Year of the Dog” opposite Molly Shannon and John C. Reilly. She is set to star opposite Russell Crowe in the indie film “Tenderness.”

Also in 2007, Laura Dern received her first Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Mini-series or Movie for her role in “Afterburn.” The following year, she grabbed her second Golden Globe Award, this time for Best Supporting Actress for her performance ion the HBO movie “Recount.”