Lights, camera, talk show! Ricki Lake is known for big hair and even bigger personalities. She has graced our screens for years. Her role as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray catapulted her to fame. Lake also hosted a daytime talk show. Her journey through film and personal battles shows resilience in the face of life's challenges.
Ricki Lake: From Hairspray Debut to Talk Show Stardom
Before the modern version of Hairspray, there was the original by John Waters. Released in 1988, this film was Ricki Lake's ticket to Hollywood. At 19 and 200 pounds, she played Tracy Turnblad, a teen with big dreams. This role launched her into the spotlight, changing her life forever.
The original Hairspray was a cultural moment. Set in 1960s Baltimore, it tackled racial tensions with a fun rock and roll vibe. The fictional "Corny Collins Show" mirrored "The Buddy Deane Show," a local dance program. This show hosted civil rights protests, presenting the struggles of Black dancers seeking equal opportunity. Hairspray used this setting to promote themes of acceptance and integration.
Tracy Turnblad’s hair was iconic. Originally brown, she dyed it blonde in a memorable scene. Tracy’s bold transformation happened while causing chaos in Amber’s room. This scene showed Tracy’s determination as she prepared for her audition for the Corny Collins Show.
Though Ricki Lake stood out in her role, the film featured a stellar cast. John Travolta joined in the 2007 adaptation, surprising audiences by playing Edna Turnblad. The original film featured Divine as Edna, highlighting the humorous tradition of men playing her role. Divine's portrayal set the standard, adding comedic flair to the character.
John Stamos played Corny Collins in a Hollywood Bowl performance in 2011. In the 2007 remake, Nikki Blonsky became Tracy Turnblad. She brought new energy to the role, proving its timeless appeal. Lake explained how Hairspray was pivotal to her career. It marked a turning point, showcasing her talent and forever changing her path in Hollywood.
Hairspray was not only a film; it launched the Ricki Lake we celebrate today. You can learn more about her career on Ricki Lake's IMDb biography.
The Unmade Sequel: Hairspray 2: White Lipstick
Rumors of a sequel, Hairspray 2: White Lipstick, circulated for years. This sequel would follow Tracy as she faced the 1960s’ challenges, such as the Vietnam War. Link, played by Zac Efron in the remake, would pretend to be British to stay relevant, amidst a music scene dominated by British bands. Unfortunately, this sequel never happened, leaving fans to wonder.
From Big Screen to Small Screen: Ricki Lake's Reign in Television
After Hairspray, Ricki Lake made her mark on television. In 1993, she launched The Ricki Lake Show, changing daytime TV forever.
The Ricki Lake Show: Tabloid Talk TV Pioneer
Running from September 13, 1993, to May 21, 2004, The Ricki Lake Show produced 2,420 episodes. Set in Chelsea Studios, the show broke norms with its bold format. It tackled real-life issues through single-issue discussions. Guests shared extraordinary personal stories that often sparked controversy. The show presented unapologetic, engaging content. For detailed information, check The Ricki Lake Show Wikipedia page.
In 2004, Lake left her show behind. She prioritized family over work. Filming in New York while living in L.A was demanding. This decision marked the end of her iconic daytime talk show.
The 2012 Reboot: A Short-Lived Comeback
Daytime TV can call people back. In 2012, Lake attempted a comeback with Ricki. This new format aimed at adult women. It covered relevant topics like obesity, military life, divorce, and addiction. Despite its good intentions, Ricki struggled to compete. Ratings hovered around 0.5 among women aged 25-54. The show faced tough competition and lost audience share. Unfortunately, it was canceled after one season.
Guest Appearances: King of Queens and Drop Dead Diva
Lake also explored sitcoms and dramas. Fans might recall her as Stephanie Heffernan on The King of Queens. Her appearance was brief, limited to six episodes. Timing and commitments blocked her from a longer role. Her dedication to her talk show took priority.
In a different genre, Lake appeared on Drop Dead Diva in 2010. She played Susan Semler in "Back from the Dead." This role showcased her versatility beyond talk shows and film fame.
Ricki Lake's Hair Loss Journey: A Personal Revelation
Beneath Hollywood's glow, Ricki Lake shared her personal challenges.
Ricki Lake faced a personal struggle: hair loss. For over thirty years, she dealt with androgenetic alopecia. This common hair loss affected nearly half of people. It harmed her self-esteem and confidence. She expressed, "I was desperate." Lake tried many treatments. Some were not entirely useless but simply "didn't help enough." Her journey with hair loss has been emotional, full of distress and seeking answers.
Unraveling the Causes: More Than Just Bad Hair Days
What caused Ricki Lake's hair loss? It was not just one thing. A mix of factors played a role. Ironically, her famous role in Hairspray impacted her hair too. The triple-processing and dyeing took a toll on it. Lars Skjoth, from Harklinikken, shared, "The constant teasing and dyeing Ricki's hair endured at the beginning created structural damage." Lake noticed her hair "was never the same" after Hairspray treatments.
The damage began with Hairspray. Lake noted many other factors contributed to her hair loss over time. Diet, hormonal birth control, weight changes, pregnancies, genetics, and stress all played parts. Pregnancy and hormonal changes are known to affect hair health. Genetics predisposed her to androgenetic alopecia. Stress is often a silent cause of well-being issues, like hair loss. Skjoth added that while initial damage was from hair styling, "the type of thinning she had was due to hereditary causes." Environmental and genetic factors led to her struggles.
Finding Solutions: From Wigs to Harklinikken
Ricki Lake sought various treatments for her hair loss. Wigs became her go-to solution. Embracing wigs was about more than covering hair loss; it became a journey of self-acceptance and style. Lake's honesty about wigs challenged the stigma and showed them as fashionable accessories.
More recently, Lake achieved success with Harklinikken products. She praises Harklinikken's Balancing Shampoo, Hair Gain Extract, and Hair Mask, claiming they helped with regrowth. Her routine includes applying Hair Gain Extract to her scalp nightly and using Balancing Shampoo almost daily. The Hair Hydrating Mask works as a leave-in conditioner. The Extract seems to be her "game changer."
Harklinikken's methods are often customized. In some cases, low-dose minoxidil may mix into Hair Gain Extract but at lower concentrations than over-the-counter products. However, this is not standard for everyone. Before finding Harklinikken, Lake also tried Propecia, steroid injections, and PRP therapy. These treatments varied in effectiveness but did not yield desired long-term results for her.
Hair Regrowth and Continued Journey
Today, Ricki Lake feels thrilled about her hair regrowth journey thanks to Harklinikken Hair Gain Extract and her routine. She continues using the products and shares positive stories about Harklinikken. Her openness about her experiences offers hope to others facing similar struggles. Lake's journey highlights her resilience and commitment to self-acceptance, showing that it is possible to find solutions in difficult times.
Ricki Lake's Personal Life: Love, Loss, and Resilience
Ricki Lake's off-screen life is as eventful as her career, filled with love, loss, and resilience. Let's dive into her personal journey.
Marriages and Family Life
Lake has married three times. Her first marriage was to Rob Sussman, an illustrator. They met in October 1993, marrying in Las Vegas on March 26, 1994. They had two sons: Milo Sebastian Sussman, born in 1997, and Owen Tyler Sussman, born in 2001. Owen's water birth appeared in The Business of Being Born, a documentary Lake produced. Sadly, they divorced in 2003.
Years later, Lake found love again with Christian Evans. They wed in 2012 but faced challenges due to Evans's bipolar disorder. Manic episodes led to their split, and they divorced in 2015. Tragically, Evans died by suicide in 2017 at 45. Lake spoke out about his death and the impact of mental health struggles while honoring her "beloved husband." Her words brought awareness to this crisis.
In 2022, Ricki Lake found happiness again with Ross Burningham. Their wedding was intimate, held on a beach with only the couple and their dogs. Burningham, a lawyer and father of four, met Lake during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their connection began as a "booty call," as described in this article about Ricki Lake's husband. Their relationship evolved into a strong partnership and culminated in marriage.
Loss of Home in the Palisades Fire
In January 2025, life threw Ricki a curveball when her Malibu home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. She shared her heartbreak on Instagram with the words, "It's all gone. ." Despite efforts by a friend to save it, the Malibu house was lost entirely. Lake was not alone; many celebrities lost homes in these fires, including Heidi Pratt and Tyra Banks. Despite this loss, she felt gratitude for the support during this time. Losing a home is traumatic, but Lake's strength amid adversity is commendable.
Weight Loss Journey
Recently, Ricki Lake openly discussed her weight loss journey. She lost 40 pounds through lifestyle changes without using drugs like Ozempic. Her methods included intermittent fasting and a keto diet, along with regular exercise and sleep tracking. She achieved weight loss healthily and sustainably. Lake and Ross adopted these practices together, engaging in daily activity like Pilates and hiking in Malibu. Hiking with a weighted vest became a significant part of her fitness routine. Lake’s weight loss journey reflects her dedication to health and wellness through disciplined lifestyle changes.
Ricki Lake's Net Worth: A Look at Her Financial Success
After decades in entertainment, Ricki Lake built her net worth. As of 2025, it's estimated at $20 million USD. This financial success comes from her work as an actress and television host. She also earns from brand partnerships and endorsements. From Hairspray to her talk show, Ricki has had a fulfilling and lucrative career.
Beyond the Headlines: Little-Known Facts About Ricki Lake
Here are lesser-known facts about Ricki Lake.
- Sisterly Bond: Ricki has a sister named Jennifer Lake, just one year younger. Growing up together in Hastings-on-Hudson forged a close bond.
- Early Start in Singing: Before film and television, Ricki honed her vocal talents at age 9, performing in clubs. This early experience shaped her stage presence and talent.
Ricki Lake's story is one of talent and resilience. From her memorable role in Hairspray to her impactful talk show, she faced struggles with hair loss and life's ups and downs.
Her openness has made her relatable and inspiring, creating a cultural icon beyond just celebrity status.
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