Lauren-Marie Taylor

Lauren-Marie Taylor (born Lauren Marie Schwartz; November 1, 1961) is an American film and television actress. She is regarded as a "scream queen" for her roles in several horror films. Born and raised in the Bronx, Taylor was scouted by a talent agent while performing in a high school production of Oklahoma! with classmate Ally Sheedy, and began pursuing acting in commercials. Her first major role was as Vickie in the slasher film Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981).

Subsequent film credits include in the black comedy Neighbors (1981), followed by the slasher film Girls Nite Out (1982). From 1983 until 1995, Taylor portrayed Stacey Donovan on the soap opera Loving. She returned to screen acting with a role in the horror film In a Violent Nature (2024).

Early life and education
Taylor was born Lauren Marie Schwartz on November 1, 1961 in the Bronx borough of New York City. She spent her childhood in the South Bronx. She and her brother were raised by their maternal grandparents in a "very Catholic household". She graduated from Loyola School, a Jesuit school in Manhattan. Prior to acting, Taylor considered pursuing a career as a veterinarian. She attended Wagner College, New York University, and the Circle in the Square Theatre School.

Career
As a teenager, while appearing as Ado Annie Carnes in a stage production of Oklahoma! with classmate Ally Sheedy, Taylor was scouted by Sheedy's agent who suggested that she audition for commercial acting work. This led to Taylor appearing in commercials for Burger King before she made her film debut as Vickie in the horror film Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981). Taylor subsequently portrayed John Belushi's character's daughter in the dark comedy film Neighbors (1981), followed by another supporting role in the slasher film Girls Nite Out (1982).

She starred in the soap opera Loving as Stacey Donovan Forbes Alden from 1983 to 1995, the only original cast member to stay with the show for its entire run.

Prior to Loving, Taylor starred in Ryan's Hope as Eleanor Skofield from 1980 to 1981. After Loving, she hosted her own daily crafts series, Handmade by Design, for several years on the Lifetime channel. She has also done numerous TV commercials and off-Broadway plays.

In 2000, she began her career as a kindergarten and first grade teacher, a role she worked full time in for 10 years. She was also active in local community theater, appearing onstage and later directing productions in the New York City metropolitan region. In 2023, Taylor began hosting the Not the Final Girl podcast. Taylor had her first onscreen acting role in over two decades with the slasher film In a Violent Nature, which was filmed in 2021. It premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival before being given a wide theatrical release by IFC Films on May 31, 2024.

Taylor has a supporting role in the upcoming Christmas-themed horror film He Sees You When You're Sleeping, co-starring with Caroline Williams.

Personal life
In 1983, Taylor married actor and singer John Didrichsen, whom she met when they were both filming Girls Nite Out in 1981. They have three children, Katherine, Wesley, and Olivia.

Taylor has been a vegetarian since she was a teenager.