In the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood, few names carry as much intellectual and emotional weight as Laura Dern. A woman who transitioned from being the “daughter of legends” to a powerhouse auteur, Dern has spent over four decades proving that empathy is the ultimate superpower on screen.
As of February 2026, Laura is in the midst of a spectacular “career high,” currently promoting her latest 2025/2026 films Is This Thing On? and Jay Kelly, while remaining a beloved fixture of prestige television and high-fashion red carpets.
Laura Dern Biography
Born Laura Elizabeth Dern on February 10, 1967, in Los Angeles, California, Laura was practically born on a film set. The daughter of Hollywood heavyweights Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd, she famously made her first screen appearance as an extra eating an ice cream cone in Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974).
Despite her lineage, Laura’s path was defined by a fierce independence. She famously sued for emancipation at age 16 to pursue her acting career without age-related work restrictions. This early determination led her to David Lynch, who cast her in Blue Velvet (1986), a partnership that would redefine her career and the face of independent cinema.
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Career
Laura’s career is a masterclass in variety, balancing blockbuster spectacle with gritty, independent soul:
- The Indie Muse (1980s–1990s): Her work in Blue Velvet and Wild at Heart established her as David Lynch’s ultimate collaborator.
- The Blockbuster Icon (1993): As Dr. Ellie Sattler in Jurassic Park, she became a global symbol of intelligence and bravery.
- The Television Pivot (2017–Present): Her Emmy-winning role as the high-strung Renata Klein in Big Little Lies introduced her to a new generation of fans.
- 2026 Update: This year, she is garnering early awards buzz for her role in the 2025 drama Is This Thing On? and continues her streak of prestige voice work with Ozi: Voice of the Forest.
Laura Dern Movies
- Blue Velvet (1986): The film that cemented her as a serious dramatic force.
- Jurassic Park (1993): Her most culturally iconic role, reprised in 2022’s Jurassic World Dominion.
- Wild (2014): Earning an Oscar nomination for her heartbreaking performance as Bobbi.
- Marriage Story (2019): Her role as Nora Fanshaw finally secured her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Little Women (2019): Playing the compassionate “Marmee” March.
- Is This Thing On? (2025): Her latest starring role alongside Aziz Ansari.
Laura Dern Net Worth
As of February 2026, Laura Dern’s net worth is estimated at $20 million. This fortune is a result of her 40-year career, including significant paychecks from the Jurassic franchise, her salary as an executive producer on several projects, and her recent “Criterion Closet” curation projects which highlight her status as a cinema historian.
Family
Laura comes from a “dynasty” of actors. Her mother, Diane Ladd, and father, Bruce Dern, remain active in the industry. Laura is also a devoted mother to two children shared with ex-husband Ben Harper: Ellery Walker Harper (born 2001), a successful model and musician, and Jaya Harper (born 2004), who recently made a splash accompanying her mother to the 2025 Venice Film Festival.
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The Men and the Muses
Laura Dern and Kyle MacLachlan
Laura met Kyle MacLachlan on the set of Blue Velvet in 1985. The two became the “it” couple of the indie world, dating for four years until 1989. While the relationship ended, the two have remained “great friends” in the decades since, even reuniting for the 2017 revival of Twin Peaks.
Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum
In 1993, while escaping dinosaurs on the set of Jurassic Park, Laura fell for co-star Jeff Goldblum. The pair were engaged for two years before splitting in 1997. In a 2026 retrospective, Laura noted that Jeff “will always be in her heart,” proving that her breakups are as graceful as her performances.
Laura Dern and Billy Bob Thornton
Perhaps her most controversial relationship was with Billy Bob Thornton in the late 90s. The couple was engaged and living together when Thornton famously left the house to film a movie and married Angelina Jolie without telling Laura. Laura later described the experience as a “sudden death,” but she has since used that emotional depth to fuel her more visceral performances.
Laura Dern and Ben Harper
In 2000, Laura met musician Ben Harper at one of his concerts. The two married in 2005 and were together for over a decade. Though they divorced in 2013, Laura credits the experience for informing her Oscar-winning role in Marriage Story. Now, in 2026, they maintain a private and respectful co-parenting relationship.
Controversies
Laura’s career has faced significant headwinds, most notably in 1997. After guest-starring as the lesbian character Susan in the “Coming Out” episode of the sitcom Ellen, Laura was effectively blacklisted by Hollywood for over a year due to the era’s homophobia. She has since described this period as “frightening” but ultimately “worth it” for the impact it had on the LGBTQ+ community.
Laura Dern Age
As of today, February 13, 2026, Laura Dern is 59 years old. She celebrated her 59th birthday just a few days ago on February 10, 2026.
Laura Dern Instagram
On Instagram (@lauradern), Laura is known for her “cool aunt” energy. She shares a mix of vintage film photography, environmental advocacy posts, and behind-the-scenes moments with her “sister-friends” like Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman.
Conclusion
Laura Dern has spent 2026 proving that her best years are still ahead of her. Whether she’s curating film lists for Criterion or starring in the year’s biggest dramas, she remains the beating heart of modern cinema.
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