Elizabeth Berkley: A Star’s Journey

How Much is Elizabeth Berkley Worth?

Alright, let’s talk about Elizabeth Berkley. This talented actress from the U.S. has built herself an impressive career over the years, and it shows in her net worth, which sits at a cool $6 million. Elizabeth made her name playing Jessie Spano on NBC’s iconic show "Saved by the Bell" back in the late '80s and early '90s. Who could forget that legendary caffeine pill meltdown? That role really cemented her place in pop culture history. She also took on the daring role of Nomi Malone in the infamous movie "Showgirls" in 1995. But Elizabeth didn’t stop there—she’s racked up over 60 acting credits, starring in major films like "The First Wives Club" and "Any Given Sunday." Oh, and did I mention she reprised her role as Jessie Spano in the Peacock reboot of "Saved by the Bell"? In addition to acting, Elizabeth founded an online self-help program called Ask-Elizabeth in 2006 and even wrote a book titled "Ask Elizabeth: Real Answers to Everything You Secretly Wanted to Ask About Love, Friends, Your Body… and Life in General" in 2011. She even tried her hand at dancing, competing on ABC’s "Dancing with the Stars" in 2013, where she finished in sixth place. That’s quite the resume, right?

Elizabeth’s Early Days

Let’s rewind to the beginning. Elizabeth Berkley was born on July 28, 1972, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Her parents, Jere and Fred Berkley, raised her alongside her older brother Jason. Her mom owned a gift basket business, while her dad was a lawyer. Growing up, Elizabeth’s family practiced Conservative Judaism, and she celebrated her bat mitzvah when she turned 12. Here’s a fun fact: Elizabeth has heterochromia, meaning her eyes are two different colors—one’s green and brown, while the other is completely green. She attended Cranbrook Kingswood School and Farmington High School, graduating in 1990. As a kid, Elizabeth loved to dance and trained with professional choreographers in New York. She even performed in ballets and musicals, setting the stage for her future in the entertainment world.

Her Rise to Fame

Early Acting Gigs

Elizabeth’s journey into acting started when she was just 10 years old. She auditioned for the lead role in the movie "Annie," but the filmmakers thought she was too tall for the part. Still, that didn’t stop her. As a teenager, she began modeling for Elite and landed her first acting roles on NBC shows like "Gimme a Break!" and "Silver Spoons" in 1986. In 1987, she co-starred with Shelley Duvall and Elliott Gould in the TV movie "Frog" and kept the momentum going the following year with guest appearances on NBC’s "Day by Day" and the short film "Platinum Blonde."

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Breaking Through with "Saved by the Bell"

Things really took off for Elizabeth in 1989 when she was cast as Jessie Spano on "Saved by the Bell." Interestingly, she originally auditioned for the part of Kelly Kapowski, but after that role went to Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, the producers decided Elizabeth was too talented to pass up. They gave her the role of Jessie instead, and it turned out to be a game-changer. Elizabeth also appeared in the made-for-TV movies "Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style" and "Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas." Her character Jessie Spano became famous for her caffeine pill addiction storyline, which has since reached cult status among fans. That scene where Jessie sings "I’m So Excited" and then breaks down crying is unforgettable.

Beyond "Saved by the Bell"

While starring on "Saved by the Bell," Elizabeth kept busy with guest appearances on shows like "The Hogan Family," "Life Goes On," "Step by Step," and "Baywatch." In 1994, she appeared in the TV movie "Bandit Goes Country," a spin-off of "Smokey and the Bandit," as well as "Diagnosis: Murder" and "Burke’s Law." Her next big role was as the controversial exotic dancer Nomi Malone in Paul Verhoeven’s "Showgirls." The NC-17 film didn’t perform well at the box office, but Elizabeth bounced back. She voiced the title role in "Armitage III: Poly Matrix" in 1996 and co-starred alongside Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton in "The First Wives Club," which was a huge hit, grossing $181 million worldwide. Elizabeth continued to work steadily, appearing in films like "The Real Blonde" and "Random Encounter" before ending the '90s with Oliver Stone’s football drama "Any Given Sunday."

Continuing Her Legacy

In the 2000s, Elizabeth stayed active in the industry. She appeared in Woody Allen’s "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" in 2001 and had a three-episode stint on the Fox sitcom "Titus." She then starred in "Roger Dodger" in 2002 and guest-starred on "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" in 2003. Elizabeth made her Broadway debut in 2004 with "Sly Fox," starring alongside Richard Dreyfuss. In 2005, she acted in an Off-Broadway production of "Hurlyburly," earning rave reviews. In 2008, Elizabeth landed a recurring role on "CSI: Miami," playing David Caruso’s character’s ex-girlfriend in nine episodes. She also hosted Bravo’s competition series "Step It Up and Dance" that year. Elizabeth appeared in "S. Darko," the sequel to "Donnie Darko," in 2009, and had roles in Showtime’s "The L Word" and Fox’s "New Girl" in the following years. In 2015, she reunited with her "Saved by the Bell" co-stars on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," bringing back all those nostalgic vibes.

Elizabeth’s Personal Side

Elizabeth married artist Greg Lauren on November 1, 2003, in Cabo San Lucas. Her wedding dress was designed by Ralph Lauren, who happens to be Greg’s uncle. While she still uses her maiden name professionally, her legal name is Elizabeth Berkley Lauren. The couple welcomed their son, Sky, on July 20, 2012. Outside of her family life, Elizabeth is a passionate advocate for animal rights. She participated in a 1997 ad campaign for PETA called "Lettuce Be Lean," where she wore a gown made of collard greens worth $600. She was even nominated for PETA’s "Sexiest Vegetarian of the Year" poll in 2008 and 2009. Interestingly, Elizabeth had a run-in with Leonardo DiCaprio and his friends in 1998, which led to her then-boyfriend, actor Roger Wilson, confronting them. Roger ended up suing Leonardo for $45 million, claiming he was assaulted and suffered damage to his larynx, but the lawsuit was dismissed in 2004.

Awards and Accolades

Elizabeth’s hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 1996, she shared a National Board of Review award for Best Acting by an Ensemble with her castmates from "The First Wives Club." She’s also been nominated for three Young Artist Awards for her work on "Saved by the Bell," including Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in 1990, Best Young Actress Starring in an Off-Primetime or Cable Series in 1992, and Best Young Actress in an Off-Primetime Series in 1993. It’s clear that Elizabeth’s talent and dedication have earned her well-deserved recognition in the industry.