Lisa Edelstein
Lisa Edelstein, an American actress, is best known for her role as Dr. Lisa Cuddy on Fox’s House and Abby McCarthy in A Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce. She most recently appeared in the newest season of 9-1-1 Lone Star as Gwyneth Morgan, the ex-wife of Owen Strand, played by Rob Lowe. Lisa is currently seen in the Emmy nominated & Netflix show, The Kominsky Method.
Blouse by The Trend Haus
Skirt by Niko Niko Atelier
Belt by Alexander McQueen
Earrings by Iris Trends
What inspired you to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?
It was all I ever wanted to do, since I was able to speak words and say what I wanted to do.
When you studied at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, you received many off-Broadway credits. What inspired you to later enter into Film/TV acting?
All I had access to growing up was theater. I was in every play that would let me be in it within 50 miles of my hometown. I absolutely loved performing. That said, I would have loved to have been on TV or in the movies. It all sounded fantastic. I just didn’t know the first thing about getting a job like that. My parents didn’t either. My Grandma Gertie thought I should try and become a contestant on The Wheel of Fortune. (Said in a Brooklyn Yiddish accent: “You go on the Wheel of Fortune, producer sees you, knows you’re an actress, says “I want her!”) That didn’t seem like the right plan to me, but I loved how much she wanted to help. So going to NYU for theater was an opportunity to learn more about the craft of acting and to be in the heart of the city and learn about the world I was fighting to be a part of.
Left:
Suit jacket by Alice + Olivia
Suit bottoms by Alice + Olivia
Turtleneck sweater by Alice + Olivia
Gold Hoops by Marrin Costello
Gold chains by Marrin Costello
Gold cuff by Adira+Delilah
Shoes by Christian Louboutin
Right:
Top by Niko Niko Atelier
Pants by Alice + Olivia
Gold ring and earrings by Marrin Costello
Ring by Adirah+Delilah
Shoes by Christian Louboutin
What was the most valuable lesson you learned during your time in Drama school?
I learned two very important lessons in school. I was in a Wallace Shawn workshop and an actress named Karen Finley was running the class. After reading some material out loud, she said to me: “Will you just fucking TALK?” Because after two years of studying Stanislavsky and Grotowski I was so confused I forgot about just fucking talking.
The second lesson was from the late, brilliant Elizabeth Suedos, who assigned us the task of writing a song of political satire. I wrote a song she loved called “Government AOK’d Sex” about the insane sodomy laws in some states at the time. But I performed it in a sort of non-committal way, not realizing she expected a full-blown version. She was MAD. I’ll never forget it and I’ll certainly never do that again! Never sell yourself short with a half-assed presentation. Every performance is a show.
You once appeared as a voice actress in the popular anime “The Legend of Korra.” How did voice acting differ from being on screen/stage?
Well for one thing, sweatpants. Voice acting is remarkably comfortable and doesn’t require you to feel pretty or thin or even hydrated. So, it’s a really relaxed environment. I particularly love fight scenes, trying to imagine the sounds one makes when doing wild spinning leaps and chopping down your enemies. It’s all good fun. I got to do a number of fight scenes as ‘Mercy Graves’ in “Superman the Animated Series” many years ago, so getting the “Legend of Korra” was really exciting for me. I love that kind of thing!
Left:
Dress by Dulce Bestia
Shoes by Gucci
Earrings: Adiba
Right:
Suit jacket by Alice + Olivia
Suit bottoms by Alice + Olivia
Turtleneck sweater by Alice + Olivia
Gold Hoops by Marrin Costello
Gold chains by Marrin Costello
Gold cuff by Adira+Delilah
Shoes by Christian Louboutin
You have received quite a few acting credits since leaving “House”. How did it feel to branch out after being on the same series for so long?
It’s wonderful. Every time an acting job ends for me I feel like I’m jumping in an abyss of the unknown. I never know where my life will lead. Stressful but also exciting! “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce” was the absolute perfect role for me after “House”. It was funny and smart, emotional and silly, gorgeous clothes and the first time I was the lead of a show. What a gift! Plus being able to start writing and directing professionally, that was a major feeling of expansion.
Of the different roles you’ve played, which have you felt the most connection to, and why?
I feel connected to all of them, I think that’s why one gets hired. There’s always a part of you in there, or a part of your story you need to express. ‘Cuddy’ had control and confidence and needed minimal space to express herself: an eyeroll, an eyebrow lift, a stare. I loved seeing how small and controlled I could go while still telling the story. And ‘Abby’ was the opposite. She was an explosion on the world, full of fury and sadness, and yet deeply optimistic—a real palate cleanse after 7 seasons of Cuddy’s suppression.
Left:
Dress by Dulce Bestia
Shoes by Gucci
Earrings by Adiba
Right:
Top by Niko Niko Atelier
Pants by Alice + Olivia
Gold ring and earrings by Marrin Costello
Ring by Adirah+Delilah
Shoes by Christian Louboutin
Tell us about your current project, The Kominsky Method? What is it like to play Phoebe?
‘Phoebe’ is a glorious mess, drug-addled, narcissistic and quite possibly diagnosable as having a bit of an anti-social personality disorder. I was SO excited to play her as I’ve met my fair share of people like that and they deserve to be mocked. It’s so much fun to behave badly on screen, especially with the likes of Alan Arkin and Michael Douglas to bounce it all off of.
You have discussed a passion for playwriting in the past. Do you have any plans to continue this pursuit in the future?
I wrote a musical when I was young, called Positive Me, an AIDS awareness musical about the crisis we were then all living through. I started writing it in Elizabeth Suedos’ class. She was extremely encouraging. Then I left school to produce it at a wonderful theater in NYC called La Mama. I moved from writing plays to screenplays. I’ve sold several scripts, which hopefully will see the light of day. During Covid, when we couldn’t work anyway, I really dug back into my writing and remembered how much I love doing it. I don’t do well with sitting still. My brain starts to eat itself! So, if I’m not acting, I’m writing or directing, and if I’m not writing or directing or acting, I’m drawing. Gotta keep the flow going.
Left:
Top by Niko Niko Atelier
Pants by Alice + Olivia
Gold ring and earrings by Marrin Costello
Ring by Adirah+Delilah
Right:
Blouse by The Trend Haus
Skirt by Niko Niko Atelier
Belt by Alexander McQueen
Earrings by Iris Trends
Shoe by Elaine Kim
What is your Social?
@lisaedelstein on facebook, twitter and instagram
CREW CREDITS:
Creative Director + Photography: Mike Ruiz
Talent: Lisa Edelstein
Producer: Alison Hernon, Editor-In-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine
Fashion Stylist: AmbiKa
Hair: Johnny Stuntz
Makeup: Raquel Moreno
Photo Assistant: Ozzie G.
Photo Studio: FD Studio
Tearsheets: Daniel López, Junior Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview: Julia Gastone, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
