Elizabeth Berkley has portrayed some of the most memorable characters in film and television history, but her journey hasn’t always kept her in the spotlight. Industry pressures and intense scrutiny have meant that Berkley has had to fight for her place in the pop culture landscape—much like the characters she’s brought to life.
Reflecting on her iconic role as Jessie Spano in “Saved by the Bell,” Berkley told Vogue World, “She was fearless, and I think in our culture, many young women are taught to apologize for speaking up and using their voices.
My mother and the women who were around me growing up were forces; they instilled that confidence in me, so I was always proud to have played a character like Jessie.”
Then came Nomi Malone. Starring as the lead in Paul Verhoeven’s controversial film “Showgirls” had a significant impact on Berkley’s career and personal life. She had to transform herself in the face of intense backlash.
Speaking to a live audience in 2024, she shared that the journey was ultimately rewarding. “Just like Nomi, she won ‘her’ in the end… As did I, walking through this path from my dream coming true, the criticism and ridicule and humiliation, to finding out what I’m made of.”
This is a look at the astonishing evolution of Elizabeth Berkley, from child star to Hollywood icon and beyond.
#1 Elizabeth Berkley entered the world of show business at a young age.
Jere and Fred Berkley. Raised in a Jewish family with her older brother Jason, she developed an early passion for the arts. By age 5, Berkley was already immersed in dance, including ballet, and performed in “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker.”
She later combined her dancing with acting, performing in local theater productions like “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Eleemosynary.”
At 13, Berkley won a modeling contest with Elite Model Management, leading to television ads and print modeling gigs.
This exposure helped her land small roles in 1986 episodes of “Gimme a Break!” and “Silver Spoons,” and a supporting role in the 1988 TV film “Frog.”
Recognizing her potential, her family moved to Los Angeles to support her burgeoning career.
#2 She got her big break by starring in “Saved by the Bell.”
Elizabeth Berkley’s first big break came with her starring role as Jessie Spano in “Saved by the Bell,” which began airing in 1989. The show featured six close-knit teenagers navigating high school, putting Berkley on the map.
Berkley left the series early in 1992, opting out of 11 additional episodes ordered before the graduation finale. While some argue that this decision may have impacted her career, Berkley was eager for more complex roles.
“‘Saved by the Bell’ was a beautiful first rite of passage for me,” she told People in 2020.
“But as an artist, I was excited to dive a little deeper and explore.” Her next major film role would change the course of her acting career for good.
#3 Her first major film role was a complete disaster
Berkley’s first major film role was in “Showgirls” (1995), a film that promised to be her breakthrough but ended up being a complete disaster. The film, directed by Paul Verhoeven, was critically panned and bombed at the box office, subjecting Berkley to intense ridicule and backlash.
Despite the film’s failure, Berkley’s performance gained a cult following over time. However, the initial reception was so harsh that it overshadowed her previous successes and made it difficult for her to secure roles in Hollywood. The experience forced Berkley to reassess her career and personal resilience, ultimately shaping her into a stronger and more determined actor.
#4 Berkley endured severe bullying in Hollywood after the release of “Showgirls.”
The backlash from “Showgirls” left Elizabeth Berkley feeling isolated. “It was disappointing and cruel,” she told People in 2020.
“I was bullied and didn’t understand why I was being blamed.” With her agent dropping her and little support from the industry, Berkley felt like a pariah.
Determined to move on, she took roles in films like “The First Wives Club” (1996) and “Curse of the Jade Scorpion” (2001). Reflecting on the experience, Berkley said, “Showgirls” taught me a lot and made me stronger.”
#5 She went back to her theatrical roots
Elizabeth Berkley returned to theater in the late ’90s and made her Broadway debut in 2004. Her 1999 role in “Lenny” with Eddie Izzard earned her some praise, though Izzard’s performance was criticized.
In “Sly Fox,” Berkley’s Broadway debut, her portrayal of Mrs. Truckle received mixed reviews. Critics noted she struggled to fully capture the comedic potential of the role, with some feeling she missed key opportunities in the script.
#6 She tied the knot with Greg Lauren
Elizabeth Berkley married Greg Lauren in 2003, becoming part of the Lauren fashion dynasty through her husband, Ralph Lauren’s nephew.
They met in 2000 at a dance class and tied the knot in Cabo San Lucas, with Berkley wearing a custom Ralph Lauren gown.
The couple, who resides in Los Angeles, enjoys sushi and meditation on date nights. Greg humorously noted that his connection to Berkley often sparks jealousy, joking:
I got Jessie, sorry Slater!” Berkley, in turn, describes Greg as her real-life Disney prince, likening him to Prince Eric from “The Little Mermaid.
#7 Berkley released a self-help book
Elizabeth Berkley ventured into writing with her 2011 self-help book, Ask Elizabeth: Real Answers to Everything You Secretly Wanted to Ask About Love, Friends, Your Body … and Life in General. Unlike many celebrity books, it was a hit.
Inspired by the advice-seeking fans she encountered after Saved by the Bell went global, Berkley created the book from her “Ask Elizabeth” workshops.
The book aimed to fill a gap in support for teenage girls and received positive reviews for its relatable, diary-style approach.
“I wanted it to feel like I wrote a book and passed it across the country, with girls adding their own pieces,” Berkley said.
#8 She welcomed her first child with Lauren
In 2011, Elizabeth Berkley released her self-help book, Ask Elizabeth: Real Answers to Everything You Secretly Wanted to Ask About Love, Friends, Your Body … and Life in General.
Inspired by the advice-seeking fans she met after Saved by the Bell became a global hit, Berkley created the book from her “Ask Elizabeth” workshops. The book, praised for its diary-style approach, successfully filled a gap in support for teenage girls.
#9 Berkley joined her former cast mates for a SBTB reboot
In 2020, Elizabeth Berkley delighted fans by returning to Bayside High for the reboot of Saved by the Bell.
Nearly thirty years after the original series, the Peacock revival featured Berkley reprising her role as Jessie Spano, now a guidance counselor, alongside original cast members Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Tiffani Thiessen, and Lark Voorhies.
The show, which blends new high schoolers with the grown-up original cast, served as a nostalgic bridge between generations. Berkley, who also worked as a producer on the reboot, expressed gratitude for the timing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She cherished the experience even more by bringing her son to the set, where he had a chance to see her work firsthand.
#10 The LGBTQ community came to love her role in Showgirls
While Showgirls was initially panned by critics, it has since earned a reputation as a “camp classic,” a term used to describe something so exaggerated or out-of-date that it becomes entertaining.
Over the years, the film has garnered a dedicated following, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, who relate to the struggles of lead character Nomi Malone and have even incorporated elements of the film into drag performances.
In March 2024, Elizabeth Berkley attended a sold-out screening of the film at the Academy Museum’s David Geffen Theater in Los Angeles. Reflecting on the film’s journey, Berkley noted, “We really pushed the boundaries at that time that now have been embraced — not misunderstood but truly embraced.”
She expressed deep gratitude for the film’s newfound appreciation and the support from its LGBTQ+ fans, becoming emotional as she thanked them for standing by her work.
