Name	Ricki Lake
Height	5'4
Naionality	American
Date of Birth	21 September 1968
Place of Birth	Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, USA
Famous for

Ricki Lake, born September 21 in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, is an American actress and producer. She has starred in numerous films and television series. Ricki got her start in John Waters 1988 film, “Hairspray,” playing the lead character Tracy Turnblad. Ricki is probably best known for her long run as host of "Ricki Lake."

Weight has been a constant battle for Ricki. Early in her career, her weight seemed to help her get work. Later on, her weight would prove to be more of a challenge.

After being out of work for several months and battling her weight, Ricki decided to make a come back. Through diet and exercise, Ricki dropped 100 pounds in just six months. In 1993 she was asked to host a new talk show produced by Garth Ancier and Gail Steinberg for Columbia Tri-Star Television.

Things were falling into place for Ricki. She had gone to a Halloween party in 1993, where she met artist/illustrator, Rob Sussman. "I never believed in love at first site until I met him," she said. Ricki thought he was also the perfect guy, not attracted to her wealth, since he had no idea she was famous. "He had no clue about the show. When I told him, he said 'What's it called Ricki?'...which was great. I met him at the perfect time in my life," said Lake. Ricki and Rob were supposed to go for dinner after the party, but they forgot, and as she told everyone, they ended up in their hotel room. "I don't know how but I swear the instant I saw him, I knew this was the man I was going to marry," remarked Ricki. They were married shortly after in Los Angeles.

Ricki Lake ShowWhile working on her talk show, Ricki still continued to act. In 1996, Ricki starred alongside Brendan Frasier in the comedy “Mrs. Winterbourne.” She also played an armature crime solver in the made for TV movie, “Murder She Purred, A Mrs. Murphy Mystery.” Working again with John Waters in 2000, Ricki made a cameo in the film “Cecil B. Demented” and held a recurring role on “The King of Queens” playing Stephanie Heffernan.

On March 22, 1997, Milo Sebastian Sussman was born. Although hoping to have a natural home birth, Lake went into a 36 hour labor which wouldn't progress. Having a new child had a new effect on Ricki’s life. During a 1999 interview on “Live! With Regis & Kathie Lee,” Ricki said she wanted to become a midwife. Ricki revealed on ABC's “The View” in September, 2001 that she was pregnant again. On Monday, June 18th, 2001, Owen Tyler Sussman was born.

Although frequently active in the community, after becoming a new mom, Ricki has helped even more charities and organizations. She walked 60 miles in 3 days for the "Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk Crusade" to raise money for breast cancer. "It really hit home to know someone my age can be diagnosed with breast cancer. It made me want to get involved, and do something." Lake repeated the cause in October 2002, again taking place in New York City.

Ricki performed in a play entitled "The Vagina Monologues," spreading the message about violence against women. In June 2003 and 2004, Lake attended a celebrity carnival benefiting the Elizabeth Galser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Through her talk show, Ricki worked with The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and produced PSA's that were shown on television shows and on websites.

The New York Post reported on April 23rd, 2003 that Ricki was moving to California in hopes of finding "that next big thing." She traveled to New York City weekly to continue taping her show in August 2003, when the series began taping for its 11th and final season in syndication.

Gameshow Marathon hosted by Ricki LakeRicki’s contract agreement with distributor Sony Pictures Television ran out in 2004. Although Sony Pictures Television had stations signed up for a 12th season, she chose not to renew her contract. A possible sitcom deal with CBS for the following fall did not get picked up, however, in the summer of 2006, Ricki hosted the hit CBS series “Gameshow Marathon.”

The show paid tribute to classic game shows such as “The Price is Right” and featured celebrities playing for charities of their choice. Ricki also completed work on an indie film called “Park,” starring alongside Cheri Oteri and William Baldwin.

Ricki Lake at BoBB screening“The Business of Being Born,” a documentary produced by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein, premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The film follows several couples as they choose to have a natural birth and discusses alternative optional to hospital birth. Ricki shares her own story of her second birth, which she had at home.

Ricki had also filmed a comedy pilot for ABC called “The Middle,” about a struggling middle class family. The series was not picked up for the 2007 season, however the pilot was reshot with a new lead and ABC picked it up for the 2009 season.

Ricki Lake covers US WeeklyThough weight has been sighted by Lake as a lifelong struggle, it seems that Ricki has won at least one battle. Gearing up for a media tour to promote her documentary, Ricki generated a lot of buzz after loosing 125 lbs. and appearing as a guest co-host on "The View" in May 2007. Ricki soon appeard on the cover of US magazine, showing off her new look next to a headline reading: Half My Size. Ricki contributed her dramatic makeover to a healthly, reduced calorie diet and plenty of exercise.

Ricki Lake hosts Charm School season 3Building off the success from "The Business of Being Born," Lake and Epstein co-authored a book called "Your Best Birth," which became available in May 2009. The book, much like the film that precedes it, probes the realities behind parent's birthing options and advocates for more imformed, empowered decisions.

Ricki recently hosted the VH1 reality series "Charm School." The show aired from May to July of 2009. Lake resides in Los Angeles, California with her two children. Ricki and Rob ended their nine-year marriage in 2003. Ricki recently dated trainer Appollo Yiamouviannis, however they split in early 2007 after going out for three years. Rumors had surfaced about a possible romance with singer John Mayer, however Ricki denied any possibilities of a relationship while being interviewed on "The View."