Ricki Lake’s Career Journey: From Hairspray Icon to Multifaceted TV Host

Ricki Lake: More Than Just Hairspray and Talk Shows - A Deep Dive

Ricki Lake brings to mind big hair and daytime TV drama. Yet, there is much more to her than that. This actress and media personality is quite complex. Let’s explore the life of Ricki Lake and uncover the real story behind the icon.

Personal Life: From Teen Star to Real-Life Resilience

Ricki Lake stepped into the spotlight young. In 1988, she played Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray. She was only 19 years old. That is quite young to lead a major film.

Decades later, Ricki's life has had highs and lows. Love and loss define parts of her journey.

Marital Journeys: Finding Love and Navigating Loss

Love has been a key theme in Ricki's life. She has been married three times. Currently, she is with Ross Burningham. They married a few years ago and work well together. They even ventured on a health journey as a team. Ricki and Ross adopted intermittent fasting and embraced a keto diet. They added Pilates and sleep tracking to their lives together. Talk about couple goals!

Prior to Ross, Ricki was married to Rob Sussman. Their decade-long journey ended in divorce in 2003. Ten years is significant in Hollywood or anywhere.

Tragedy struck with the passing of her first husband, Christian Evans, in 2017. This was devastating for Ricki, made worse by the circumstances of his death. She has been candid about his struggle with bipolar disorder and its tragic outcome. In October 2022, she referred to him as her "beloved husband” lost to suicide five and a half years prior. Her honesty about mental health and grief is truly commendable.

Home is Where the Heart Was: Facing Unexpected Loss

Life threw Ricki another challenge in January 2025. The Los Angeles wildfires, including the Palisades Fire, destroyed her Malibu home. Yes, you read that correctly. It was a devastating loss. Ricki publicly acknowledged this tragedy. She showed gratitude for the support she received during this difficult time. Losing a home is a personal blow, and her resilience is admirable.

Net Worth Nuggets: Financial Success Over the Years

After years in the entertainment world, many may wonder about Ricki's finances. By 2025, her estimated net worth is around $20 million USD. This showcases her successful career in acting, hosting, and other avenues. Not bad for a woman who began singing at the age of nine!

Health and Wellness: A Journey of Transformation and Self-Discovery

Ricki Lake’s health journey is relatable. She navigated weight fluctuations, body image issues, and the quest for wellness. Her openness about these experiences adds to her appeal.

Weight Loss Wins: Finding a Sustainable Path

Weight loss resonates with many. Recently, Ricki Lake, at 56, shared she lost 40 pounds. Remarkably, she achieved this without Ozempic. In a world looking for quick fixes, Ricki chose a grounded route. She credits her weight loss to a strict keto diet and daily weighted hikes. Talk about commitment!

Her approach isn't extreme. She and Ross embraced intermittent fasting, the keto diet, Pilates, and sleep tracking. It’s about holistic lifestyle changes, not a temporary fix. Ricki has shared her past weight struggles candidly. At one point, she weighed 260lbs, adding authenticity to her journey.

To optimize her health efforts, she uses technology. Ricki mentioned using a glucose monitor and an Oura ring to track metrics. This approach blends lifestyle changes with data, marking a proactive mindset toward well-being.

Hair Loss and Regrowth: A Decades-Long Struggle and Triumph

Hair loss touches many, and Ricki Lake has been open about her struggle for years. It began early in her career. She believes her hair "was never the same" after it was triple-processed for her role in Hairspray. Imagine damaging your hair at 19 for a movie role!

However, it was not just about the film’s effects. A mix of factors contributed to her hair loss over time. Diet, hormonal birth control, weight changes, pregnancies, genetics, and stress all played a role. Pregnancy, stress, hormones—these are common causes for women's hair changes. Moreover, constant teasing and dyeing her hair for performances caused wear and tear. Hair expert Lars Skjoth states initial damage came from styling, but long-term thinning is likely genetic.

There is good news: Ricki found solutions! She swears by Harklinikken products like Balancing Shampoo and Hair Gain Extract for regrowth. She calls Hair Gain Extract a "game changer," applying it nightly. The Balancing Shampoo is part of her daily routine, along with a Hair Mask used as a leave-in conditioner. Consistency matters, she says, and it's clearly paying off.

In embracing natural beauty, Ricki accepts her gray hair now. After years battling hair loss, she shared her acceptance of her natural gray and "sometimes wild unruly hair." She urges others facing challenges to find peace and acceptance, reminding all that "life is too damn short." Kudos to that!

Career Highlights: From Hairspray to Hosting and Beyond

Ricki Lake's career is diverse and impressive. She has conquered acting, singing, and talk show hosting, leaving her mark in every area.

Acting Accolades: Forever Tracy Turnblad

While she has numerous acting credits, Ricki Lake is most famous as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray. This role launched her into recognition and remains iconic today. Tracy Turnblad is synonymous with Ricki Lake for many fans.

Singing Sensations: A Voice From a Young Age

Acting is not her only talent. Ricki began singing professionally at just 9 years old. It's true! She sang in cabarets, honing her skills early on. This early start showcases her talent and passion for performing arts.

Talk Show Triumph: Queen of Daytime TV (for a While)

For many viewers, Ricki Lake was the face of daytime talk television. She hosted her show, Ricki Lake, from 1993 to 2004. Her 11-year run was impressive in the competitive world of daytime TV.

Remarkably, Ricki was in her 20s when her talk show began. She was just 23 when hired and 24 when it went on air. This made her younger than many established hosts such as Phil Donahue or Sally Jessy Raphael. Imagine leading a national talk show at such a young age! It’s a power move.

Despite its success, Ricki Lake was cancelled in February 2004. This marked the end of an era for daytime viewers, but Ricki's career continued.

Other Ventures: Navigating Career Choices

Outside her main career paths, Ricki has made interesting choices shaping her journey.

King of Queens Conundrum: Talk Show First, Sitcom Second

Fans might recall Ricki's guest role as Doug's sister, Stephanie in The King of Queens. However, it was initially meant to be a limited run.

Ricki signed on for six episodes because of talk show commitments. She turned down a long storyline due to priority for her show. This shows her dedication to her daytime role and the tough choices entertainers must make balancing commitments.

Ricki Lake’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and openness. From teen star to daytime icon, she has faced life’s ups and downs gracefully. She’s more than just Hairspray; she is a multifaceted individual inspiring many.