Lori Petty is a feisty and highly offbeat actress from Chattanooga, Tennessee, who broke into TV in the 1980s. She started her career with a prime role as a female friend to Bud Cort's character in the bizarre mini-movie Bates Motel in 1987. This role set the tone for her career, which would be defined by her portrayal of quirky and kinetic characters.
Born on October 14, 1963, Lori spent her childhood traveling the US with her father, a Pentecostal minister. She developed her artistic talents early on, initially pursuing a career as a graphic artist in Omaha, Nebraska. However, she soon turned to acting, taking classes in New York and pounding the pavement for jobs.
Lori's early career was marked by a series of mediocre TV roles, but she gained attention for her performances in the short-lived series Booker and the films Cadillac Man and Point Break. Her breakthrough role came in 1992 with the highly successful film A League of Their Own, where she played the bratty baseball-playing sister of Geena Davis.
However, Lori struggled to find consistent mainstream success, often being typecast as a tough, edgy character. She appeared in a range of films, including Free Willy, In the Army Now, and Demolition Man, but was replaced by Sandra Bullock in the latter due to "artistic differences".
Lori found her true calling as the lead in the 1995 film Tank Girl, a post-apocalyptic comedy. She went on to play a range of roles, including a lone female cop in The Glass Shield, a butch lesbian in Relax... It's Just Sex, and an aggressive stripper in The Arrangement.
In the 2000s, Lori continued to take on tough, edgy roles in films like Firetrap, Route 666, and Prey for Rock & Roll. She also appeared in a range of TV shows, including The Beast, NYPD Blue, and Orange Is the New Black.
In addition to her acting career, Lori has also written and directed the film The Poker House, which premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and earned awards for its portrayal of her teenage years in Iowa. The film starred Jennifer Lawrence and marked Lori's debut as a writer and director.
Throughout her career, Lori has been known for her tough-as-nails persona and her willingness to take on unconventional roles. Despite her struggles to find mainstream success, she has built a loyal following and remains a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
