Lea DeLaria

Lea DeLaria is an American comedian, actress, and jazz musician, widely recognized for her impactful work in comedy and television, as well as her accomplished musical career. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Carrie "Big Boo" Black on the hit Netflix series "Orange Is the New Black," a role that earned her critical acclaim and brought LGBTQ+ representation to a wide audience.

DeLaria's career began in the world of stand-up comedy, where she became known as the first openly gay comic to appear on American television, making her debut on “The Arsenio Hall Show” in 1993. Her bold, unapologetic style of humor quickly made her a trailblazer in the LGBTQ+ community, and she became a prominent figure in the fight for visibility and equality.

DeLaria is also a talented jazz musician. She has released several albums on the Warner Jazz and Classics label, including "House Of David delaria+bowie=jazz," which was released in the Summer of 2015. Her deep, soulful voice and unique interpretations of jazz standards have earned her a dedicated following, and she has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Sydney Opera House.

DeLaria's career spans across multiple mediums, including television, film, and Broadway. In addition to “Orange Is the New Black,” she has appeared in TV shows such as “Broad City,” “Californication,” and “Law and Order: SVU,” as well as movies like “Edge of Seventeen” and “Support The Girls.” On Broadway, she starred in productions such as “On the Town,” for which she received an Obie and Theater World Awards, and “The Rocky Horror Show.”

Additionally, DeLaria has been recognized with two SAG Awards and was featured in the Hulu series "Reprisal," which premiered in December 2020. She is also an author, with her book "Lea's Book of Rules for the World" currently in its third printing. DeLaria continues to use her platform to address issues of inequality and representation, advocating tirelessly for LGBTQ+ rights.