Ricki Lake has managed to successfully reinvent herself at every stage of her career, always connecting with her audience through her talent and endearing spirit. Ricki's film debut as "Tracy Turnblad," the zaftig heroine of the original John Waters' film Hairspray positioned her as an "entertainer to watch" in Hollywood, and earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress.

She later went on to star in John Waters' Cry-Baby opposite Johnny Depp and Serial Mom alongside Kathleen Turner. Other notable appearances include the contemporary classic Working Girl, the acclaimed drama Last Exit to Brooklyn, the romantic comedy Mrs. Winterbourne opposite Shirley MacLaine and Brendan Fraser, Where The Day Takes You opposite Dermot Mulroney and John Waters' Cecil B. Demented.

She also had a recurring role on the CBS hit comedy The King of Queens and has guest-starred on Drop Dead Diva, and competed on Dancing With the Stars.

Ricki entered the living rooms of millions of television viewers with her daily talk show, Ricki Lake, which became an instant hit both nationally and internationally, and earning her a Daytime Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Talk Show Host."

As a producer, she was instrumental in ensuring that the show continued to appeal to its committed viewers. Ricki Lake wrapped in 2005 after 11 successful seasons, and continues to air in countries around the world.

Ricki's roles of independent filmmaker, family advocate and author – has kept her uniquely charming perspective firmly in the public's consciousness.

In 2007, Lake executive produced the critically acclaimed documentary The Business of Being Born. The film, which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival, examined natural childbirth in the U.S. and studied the high rate of medical interventions in low-risk pregnancies. Since the film's theatrical and DVD releases, the project has generated a grassroots movement that Ricki hopes will educate and empower people to really know their choices in childbirth.

In 2009, Ricki and the director of The Business of Being Born, Abby Epstein, released their first book, Your Best Birth, which has proven to be an invaluable tool designed to educate families about their birthing options. They also launched MyBestBirth.com, an online social network that allows parents and medical professionals to dialogue about varying birthing choices and resources.

Ricki is the author of Too Small to Be Big, a book that tackles the issue of childhood obesity. Featuring leading experts offering sound advice and methods for getting kids to be more active and help kids embrace a healthier lifestyle. Her latest book, Never Say Never (April 2012) is an intimate and relatable book, which offers wisdom to anyone who has ever struggled in her own skin.

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