What is Elizabeth Berkley's Net Worth and Salary?
Elizabeth Berkley is an American actress known for her roles as Jessie Spano on NBC's 'Saved by the Bell' and Nomi Malone in the film 'Showgirls'. As of now, she has a net worth of $6 million. Berkley has over 60 acting credits including 'The First Wives Club', 'Any Given Sunday', and 'Roger Dodger'. Recently, she reprised her role as Jessie Spano in Peacock's 'Saved by the Bell' reboot.
In 2006, Elizabeth founded the online self-help program Ask-Elizabeth, and in 2011, she published 'Ask Elizabeth: Real Answers to Everything You Secretly Wanted to Ask About Love, Friends, Your Body… and Life in General.' In 2013, she participated in ABC's 'Dancing with the Stars,' finishing in sixth place.
Early Life
Elizabeth Berkley was born on July 28, 1972, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Her mother, Jere, owned a gift basket business, while her father, Fred, was a lawyer. She has an older brother named Jason. Raised in a Conservative Judaism household, she celebrated her bat mitzvah at age 12. Berkley has heterochromia, with her left iris being green and brown and the right iris completely green.
She attended the Cranbrook Kingswood School and Farmington High School, graduating in 1990. She trained in dance from a young age with professional choreographers in New York and performed in ballets and musicals.
Career
Early Beginnings and 'Saved by the Bell'
At age 10, Elizabeth auditioned for the title role in 'Annie' but was deemed too tall. As a teenager, she modeled for Elite and started acting in 1986, guest-starring on NBC's 'Gimme a Break!' and 'Silver Spoons'.
In 1989, Berkley was cast as Jessie Spano on 'Saved by the Bell', a role that skyrocketed her to fame. She initially auditioned for the role of Kelly Kapowski, which went to Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, but producers were impressed with Berkley’s performance and offered her the role of Jessie instead.
Elizabeth also appeared in the TV movies 'Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style' and 'Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas'. Her character's memorable caffeine pill addiction scene has reached cult status.
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Post 'Saved by the Bell'
During and after her 'Saved by the Bell' years, Berkley guest-starred on various TV shows like 'The Hogan Family', 'Life Goes On', and 'Baywatch'. In 1995, she took on the controversial role of Nomi Malone in 'Showgirls', directed by Paul Verhoeven. Although the film was a box office flop and led to her being dropped by her agent, she later found new representation at United Talent Agency.
She voiced the title role in 'Armitage III: Poly Matrix' and acted alongside Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton in 'The First Wives Club'. Berkley appeared in 'The Real Blonde', 'Random Encounter', and Oliver Stone’s 'Any Given Sunday'.
In 2001, Elizabeth appeared in Woody Allen's 'The Curse of the Jade Scorpion' and began a recurring role on the Fox sitcom 'Titus'. She made her Broadway debut in 'Sly Fox' in 2004 and earned acclaim for her Off-Broadway role in 'Hurlyburly'. From 2008, she had a recurring role on 'CSI: Miami' and hosted Bravo’s 'Step It Up and Dance'. She also had roles in 'S. Darko', 'The L Word', and 'New Girl'.
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Personal Life
Elizabeth married artist Greg Lauren on November 1, 2003, at the Esperanza Hotel in Cabo San Lucas, wearing a dress designed by Greg's uncle, Ralph Lauren. They have a son named Sky, born on July 20, 2012. Although she professionally goes by Elizabeth Berkley, her legal name is Elizabeth Berkley Lauren.
Elizabeth is an advocate for animal rights and has appeared in PETA ads. She was part of PETA's 'Sexiest Vegetarian of the Year' poll in 2008 and 2009. In 1998, she was harassed by Leonardo DiCaprio and his friends, leading to a lawsuit that was dismissed in 2004.
Awards and Honors
Elizabeth shared a National Board of Review award for Best Acting by an Ensemble for 'The First Wives Club'. She was also nominated for three Young Artist Awards for 'Saved by the Bell'.
