Lisa Emery | |
|---|---|
| Born | Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Hollins College |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Lisa Emery is an American stage, film, and television actress. Emery is best known for playingDarlene Snell onNetflix seriesOzark.
Emery was born inPittsburgh,Pennsylvania, the daughter of an aspiring actress fromCharlottesville, Virginia and an advertising executive who worked inValley Forge, Pennsylvania. She attendedHollins College, where she planned to study painting, but became interested in drama classes instead because "they were having way more fun." After graduation she studied at theCircle in the Square Theatre School for a year, then began to audition.[1]
Emery moved toNew York with her then-longtime boyfriend. They eventually broke up and she enrolled in theCircle in the Square two-year program. She moved to theEast Village in 1982.[2]
Emery's theatre credits includeThe Matchmaker,Dinner with Friends (1999),What the Butler Saw (2000),The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (2006),Talley & Son,Burn This (1987),Rumors,Present Laughter,The Women (2001),Marvin's Room (1991),Abigail's Party (2005), andRelatively Speaking (2011). She has been nominated for theDrama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play three times.[3][4]
Emery's film credits includeA Map of the World,Unfaithful, andThe Night Listener. On television she had a reoccurring role onEd and has made guest appearances onLaw & Order,Sex and the City,Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,Law & Order: Criminal Intent,Third Watch,Fringe,Damages andJessica Jones. She also had a main cast role onOzark.
Ben Brantley, chief theatre critic atThe New York Times, wrote of Emery's performance inHarold Pinter’sA Kind of Alaska, “Lisa Emery gives one of the most affectingly detailed performances now on a New York stage.”[5]
Charles Isherwood, in his review ofRelatively Speaking (the one-act “George Is Dead” byElaine May) forThe New York Times, wrote of Emery: "Carla, a thankless straight-woman role played with skill by the fine Lisa Emery..."[6]
In a July 2020 interview forThe Natural Aristocrat, Emery spoke about enjoying the unpredictable nature of herOzark character Darlene Snell. "Every time I get a script, I’m surprised, which is great. It’s not like, ‘Oh, there she goes again!’ I think it’s unpredictable what a great mother she is in her own way."[7]
Emery was married to actorJosh Pais; their son, Zane, appeared with his mother inMargot at the Wedding.[8]
Emery did not seek a film or television career and did not think of career strategies. "I take it as it comes... Perhaps I'd regret it if I were less happy now. I live perfectly well and love what I do."[9]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Dreamaniac | Rosie |
| 1990 | How to Be Louise | Nancy |
| 1994 | Wolf | Party Guest |
| 1997 | In & Out | Classroom Reporter |
| 1998 | Harvest | Alice Yates |
| 1999 | A Map of the World | Susan Durkin |
| 2002 | Unfaithful | Beth |
| 2002 | Roger Dodger | Woman in Bar |
| 2002 | People I Know | Elsa Nye |
| 2003 | Marci X | Parent |
| 2006 | The Night Listener | Darlie Noone |
| 2006 | Out There | Kris |
| 2006 | Brother's Shadow | Sylvia |
| 2007 | Margot at the Wedding | Woman with Dog |
| 2009 | Cold Souls | Cynthia |
| 2013 | Admission | Mrs. Pressman |
| 2021 | Catch the Fair One | Debra |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Doubletake | Brenda | Miniseries |
| 1990 | H.E.L.P. | Corinne Butler | Episode: "Steam Heat" |
| 1991–2009 | Law & Order | Attorney Weller / Meg Lafferty / Gwen Graham | 5 episodes |
| 1993 | As the World Turns | Dawn Wheeler | Episode dated 15 January 1993 |
| 1993 | Class of '96 | Mrs. Farr | Episode: "Parents Weekend" |
| 1998 | Sex and the City | Ruth / Mid 30's Woman | Episode: "Three's a Crowd" |
| 2000 | Madigan Men | Brooke Payton | Episode: "The Kid's Alright" |
| 2001 | Far East | Julia Anderson | Television film |
| 2002 | Stage on Screen: The Women | Nancy Blake | Television film |
| 2002–2004 | Ed | Rita Vessey | 3 episodes |
| 2002, 2005 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Anna Gable / Mary Ellen Lesinski | 2 episodes |
| 2003 | Queens Supreme | Mrs. Ali | Episode: "Permanent Markers" |
| 2004 | The Jury | Anneliese Rose | Episode: "Too Jung to Die" |
| 2005 | Third Watch | Ms. Perry | Episode: "The Kitchen Sink" |
| 2005 | Law & Order: Trial by Jury | Lynn Blaylock | Episode: "The Abominable Showman" |
| 2007 | Damages | Laura Watkins | Episode: "Sort of Like a Family" |
| 2008 | Canterbury's Law | Trial Judge | Episode: "Baggage" |
| 2008 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Callie's Mother | Episode: "Ten Count" |
| 2008 | Fringe | Paula Kramer | Episode: "The Cure" |
| 2011 | Louie | Karleen | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Those Who Kill | Irma | Episode: "Rocking the Boat" |
| 2015 | Elementary | Mrs. Barnes | Episode: "Absconded" |
| 2015 | Jessica Jones | Louise Thompson | 4 episodes |
| 2017–2022 | Ozark | Darlene Snell | 30 episodes |
| 2018 | The Sinner | Carolyn | Episode: "Part III" |
| 2019 | Madam Secretary | Maggie Brixton | Episode: "Proxy War" |
| 2019 | Blindspot | Linda Weller | Episode: "Everybody Hates Kathy" |
| 2023–present | The Walking Dead: Dead City | The Dama | 2 episodes |
| International | |
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| National | |