Lori Petty is an American TV and film actress, known for her roles in ‘Point Break’ and ‘A League of Their Own.’ She started her career as a graphic designer and made her acting debut in the 1986 TV series ‘The Twilight Zone.’ Petty gained national fame with the TV series ‘Booker’ and had a successful career with hits like ‘Route 666’ and ‘Broken Arrows.’ She also appeared in the critically acclaimed series ‘Orange is the New Black’ and had a notable directorial debut with the film ‘The Poker House.’
Quick Facts
- Age: 60 Years
- Family: Siblings – Lisa Petty
- Occupation: Actresses
- Nationality: American Women
- Height: 5’8″ (173 cm)
- U.S. State: Tennessee
- City: Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Awards: Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Childhood & Early Life
Lori Petty was born in Tennessee, US, on October 14, 1964. She had two younger siblings. Her father worked as a Pentecostal minister, earning an average wage for the family. Due to her father’s job, Lori often traveled with him, facing challenges with her education but discovering her artistic side.
She graduated from ‘North High School’ in Iowa in 1981. Although she was a decent student, she was considered a misfit, which allowed her to express herself better. After school, she worked as a graphic designer in Nebraska but soon grew tired of it. She decided to pursue acting and moved to New York to join an acting school. She struggled to find success in New York and eventually moved to Los Angeles to audition for roles.
Career
In 1986, Lori appeared in an episode of ‘The Twilight Zone’ as a teenager. The following year, she had roles in various TV films and series. In 1990, she made her official film debut in ‘Cadillac Man’ and gained recognition. Her breakthrough role came in 1991 in the action thriller ‘Point Break’ alongside Keanu Reeves.
Lori’s versatility as an actress was evident in films like ‘A League of Their Own’ (1992), ‘Free Willy’ (1993), ‘In the Army Now’ (1994), and ‘Tank Girl’ (1995). She also had TV roles in series like ‘Lush Life’ (1996) and ‘Brimstone’ (1998). She provided her voice for the character ‘Livewire’ in animated series based on ‘DC’ comics.
Throughout the mid-2000s, Lori continued to appear in various films and series. She then took on the role of director and scriptwriter for ‘The Poker House,’ a film based on her childhood experiences. The film received critical acclaim and showcased the talent of lead actor Jennifer Lawrence.
Lori became selective about her roles and appeared in episodes of ‘Prison Break’ (2009) and ‘Orange is the New Black’ (2014).
Personal Life
Lori Petty prefers to stay single and values her freedom. She has expressed her dislike for the institution of marriage due to her childhood experiences. She was in a long-term relationship with David Alan Grier in the mid-1990s. In 2009, she was arrested for drunk driving and received a fine and probation.