Laura Prepon is an American actress, director, and producer best known for her iconic role as the bold and charismatic Donna Pinciotti in the long-running Fox sitcom That ’70s Show, and her critically acclaimed performance as Alex Vause in the groundbreaking Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.
She has built a versatile career spanning television, film, and behind-the-camera work while navigating personal growth and family life.
Essential Data
- Full Name: Laura Helene Prepon
- Stage Name: Laura Prepon
- Born: March 7, 1980
- Age: 46 years old
- Birthplace: Watchung, New Jersey, United States
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Occupation: Actress, Director, Producer
- Height: 5’10” (178 cm)
- Religion: Catholic and Jewish
- Parents: Michael Prepon and Marjorie Coll
- Siblings: Stephanie Prepon, Jocelyn Prepon, Danielle Prepon, and Brad Prepon
- Spouse: Ben Foster (divorced)
- Children: Ella Foster and a son
- Relationship: Divorced
- Net Worth: $12 million USD
Early Life and Education
Laura Helene Prepon was born on March 7, 1980, in Watchung, New Jersey, to Michael Prepon, an orthopaedic surgeon of Eastern European Jewish descent, and Marjorie Coll, a high school teacher and gourmet home chef with mostly Irish Catholic ancestry.
She is the youngest of five children, with siblings Stephanie Prepon, Jocelyn Prepon, Danielle Prepon, and Brad Prepon.
Laura comes from a mixed-heritage Caucasian family with Jewish and Catholic backgrounds, and she was raised with exposure to both traditions, without strict or formal religious practice in her immediate household.
Her father passed away in 1993 when she was 13 years old due to complications from heart surgery, an event that brought the family closer together.
She attended Watchung Hills Regional High School and later studied at Caroline Thomas’ Total Theatre Lab in New York City, where she honed her acting skills after beginning her career in modelling at age 15.
Career
Laura Prepon rose to fame in 1998 as Donna Pinciotti in That ’70s Show, a role she played for all eight seasons and which defined her early career with its mix of humour and relatability.
She appeared in films such as Slackers, Karla, and The Girl on the Train, and voiced characters in animated projects.
Her career reached new heights with her portrayal of the complex Alex Vause in Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019), alongside Uzo Aduba and Taylor Schilling, earning praise for her nuanced performance in the hit series.
She has directed episodes of television, including Orange Is the New Black, and has served as an executive producer on different projects.
Additional credits include roles in October Road, Are You There, Chelsea?, and the series For All Mankind. She has also authored a book and continues to balance acting with directing and producing, showcasing a range from comedy to drama.
Social Media
- Instagram: @lauraprepon
Personal Life
Laura Prepon, 46, is currently divorced. She was previously in a relationship with actor Ben Foster; the couple welcomed daughter Ella in August 2017, got engaged in 2016, and married in a private ceremony on June 3, 2018.
Their son was born in February 2020. Ben Foster filed for divorce in November 2024, citing irreconcilable differences, and the couple finalised their separation amid custody and financial discussions, with shared parenting arrangements for their two children.
No other long-term past relationships are widely documented publicly before Foster, though she has kept much of her romantic history private.
She has spoken openly about leaving Scientology around 2016 after practising it for years, noting she was raised with Catholic and Jewish influences and now finds peace through meditation and an open-minded spiritual approach. She stands at a height of 5’10” (178 cm).
Net Worth
Laura Prepon’s net worth is estimated at $12 million USD. She earns income primarily through her long-running acting roles in major television series such as That ’70s Show and Orange Is the New Black, supplemented by film appearances, directing and producing credits, book sales, and brand endorsements.
Filmography
- Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019) as Alex Vause
- That ’70s Show (1998–2006) as Donna Pinciotti
- For All Mankind (recurring roles)
- The Girl on the Train (2016)
- October Road
- Slackers (2002)
- Karla (2006)
- Upcoming and recent directing/producing projects