Lauren Vélez

Lauren Vélez is popularly recognized as an American Actress, who is even more popular because of her twin sister, Loraine Vélez, who happens to be working in the same industry as hers. Lauren’s most recognized role includes the character of Maria LaGuerta, who she played on Dexter. She also played the role of Nina Morena, a detective on New York Undercover from Fox. Lauren also played a role on prison drama of HBO being Dr. Gloria Nathanon, on Oz, and playing Elena on the comedy-drama on ABC, Ugly Betty.

During the early 50’s, Lauren’s parents had moved coming from Puerto Rico and decided to live in the New York City’s Brooklyn borough where she, along with her twin sister, were born. Lauren’s father is a police officer in New York City, who eventually purchased a home within the middle class Rockaway, Queens’s neighborhood. The Vélez twin has enjoyed conception of improvised acting and plays for their family ever since childhood. Lauren once played the role of a groundhog in her 2nd grade play. After which, she has had decided to become an actress. This gave her the stepping stone to be on the platform she is standing right now.

Lauren, along with her twin sister, has also attended an acting class from James Price’s “The Acting Studio.” She also has studied Shakespeare, together with Michael Howard. Lauren got her very first job through performing in the state touring company of the Dreamgirls musical. She has also played as a substitute for the actress, Phylicia Rashad, in Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim. Lauren has also performed in Off-Broadway within the productions of Fasade and Much Ado about Nothing.

During the year 1995, Lauren accepted her 1st major role on television. She was included in the cast members of New York Undercover, a TV series from which she played the role of Nina Moreno. The same year, Lauren has also created her debut film playing the role of Lisette Linares in the “I Like It like That” movie, together with Jon Seda and Rita Moreno. Lauren has been a nominee for the Desi Award and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Actress. The movie was chosen as a nominee for 4 Independent Spirit Awards from which it achieved an award from NYFCCA. Another TV show from which she appeared includes the Oz, a jail drama from HBO. With the several awards acquired by Lauren, no wonder she gained huge popularity today.