Lake Bell, born Lake Siegel Bellis, is known for taking on bold and unconventional roles in both film and television. From her standout performance as Tipper in What Happens in Vegas to the deadpan Dr. Cat in Children’s Hospital, she has a unique ability to bring humor and emotion to her characters.
What sets Bell apart is that she doesn’t wait around for the right roles — she creates them. Her fascination with voices led her to write, direct, and star in In a World…, an indie film that won awards and showcased her as the sharp, witty Carol.
Bell has also made waves as a style icon, appearing in fashion magazines and landing on lists like Maxim’s Hot 100 and Femme Fatales’ Sexiest Women. But behind the glitz, she’s overcome her fair share of challenges, proving her resilience both on and off-screen.
#1. She lit up the screen in What Happens In Vegas
Like many actors, Lake Bell knew from a young age that she wanted to be in the entertainment world. In an interview on The Daily Beast’s “The Last Laugh” podcast, she shared that she created her own talk show as a kindergartener, performing for her family.
Her passion for acting was clear early on, and with her mother’s encouragement, she went on to study drama at Rose Bruford College in London.
In a 2014 interview with HitFix, Bell described her time at the college as one of the more unusual experiences she’s had. The school, located in Sidcup — which she jokingly called “the armpit of London” — came with some challenges.
She lived above a fish and chips shop, where the constant smell of fried food and the fear of fires kept her on edge.
During her time at the school, Bell trained in dance and stage combat, even becoming certified in the latter. This training paid off in her film What Happens in Vegas, where her character ends up in a physical fight with Rob Corddry’s character.
As for her theater work, she performed in notable productions like The Seagull, Six Degrees of Separation, and The Children’s Hour, as noted by Filmbug.
#2. Lake Bell and Rob Corddry started a real-deal friendship
They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but for Lake Bell, her role in What Happens in Vegas left a lasting mark. Playing Tipper, the fiercely loyal and fiery best friend to Cameron Diaz’s character, Bell caught the audience’s attention. From her opening scene, where she gets into a brawl with Rob Corddry, to her final moment of punching Jason Sudeikis’ character for hurting her friend, Bell’s edgy character became a fan favorite.
The role wasn’t just fun—it was a blast. Bell shared with the Los Angeles Times, “We had so many scenes where we’d just mess with each other relentlessly. It’s so much fun to hate someone.” Bell also formed lasting friendships with her co-stars, staying close with Diaz and Corddry, as she revealed to Entertainment Weekly in 2019.
But perhaps the biggest takeaway for Bell was that this role helped her break free from the more serious parts she had played on TV. She told The Daily Beast, “It was a big movie for me, and it was like, ‘Hey, this is a comedy person!’”
#3. She started editing for The Hollywood Reporter
Rob Corddry clearly got over the beating Lake Bell gave him in What Happens in Vegas, as the two became close friends—not just in Hollywood, but in real life.
Beyond their friendship, Corddry also saw Bell’s talent as a comedic actor, which is why he asked her to join the cast of Children’s Hospital, the satirical medical show he co-created that became a cult favorite.
In a 2012 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Corddry praised Bell, saying, “Lake’s episode was just one of the most satisfying for every reason, and so that’s our first episode.”
Their bond went beyond work, too. When Bell married tattoo artist Scott Campbell in 2013, Corddry not only attended but officiated the ceremony.
Bell later shared on The Late Late Show with James Corden that she and her husband admired Corddry and his wife, which is why they chose him to facilitate their union. Corddry also revealed that his on-screen kiss with Bell in Children’s Hospital was his very first on-camera smooch!
#4. She started editing for The Hollywood Reporter
Lake Bell may not have followed her father’s path in owning racetracks, but she has a deep appreciation for a stylish ride. In 2011, The Hollywood Reporter brought her on as an automotive contributing editor for their “Test Drive” column.
Bell had the chance to test drive luxury cars like the Maserati GranTurismo, Porsche Panamera 4S, 911s, Jaguar’s XKR Coupe, and the Range Rover Evoque. Of the GranTurismo, she wrote, “The body and guts of this car exude opulence,” focusing more on how driving the car made her feel than just the technical specs.
For Bell, speed isn’t the main attraction when it comes to cars. Instead, her love of driving stems from other aspects like handling and the overall experience. She once told Men’s Journal, “I love city driving — I call it Tetris–weaving — and the more active dance of driving.”
By 2014, while Bell wasn’t test driving as much, cars still came up in interviews. In Sharp Magazine, she expressed her interest in trying electric vehicles, saying, “I’m still waiting for the Tesla … I like the new electric BMW,” showing her appreciation for the forward-thinking concept of electric cars.
#5. She made her mark in the voice work world
As Lake Bell’s on-screen acting career flourished, her passion for voice acting quickly followed. In a 2022 statement to Variety, Bell expressed her lifelong fascination with voice, saying, “Without hyperbole, the subject of voice has been a lifelong passion, inspiring my work and life from every angle.”
In November 2022, she released an audiobook titled Inside Voice: My Obsession With How We Sound, which explores everything from the meaning of voice to various dialects.
Bell began her voice acting journey in 2010, voicing Patrol Witch in Shrek Forever After, followed by roles in video games, shorts, and popular shows like BoJack Horseman and Harley Quinn.
Her most notable voice-related work is In a World…, a live-action film she wrote, directed, and starred in, about a voice coach trying to break into the film voiceover industry.
Discussing the challenges of wearing multiple hats on set, Bell told Flicks and The City, “As long as you know that it’s difficult as you’re going into it and you prepare accordingly… you’re set to maybe have a good time doing it.”
The 2013 film premiered at Sundance and won the prestigious Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award.
#6. In 2013, she married Scott Campbell
In 2010, when Lake Bell appeared in the pilot of How to Make It in America, a dramedy about 20-somethings in New York, she had no idea she’d meet her future husband, Scott Campbell, a real-life tattoo artist who guest-starred in Season 2.
By March 2012, the couple was engaged, and a year later, they tied the knot at the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans, with friends and family, including celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Eva Longoria, and Rob Corddry, who officiated. Their dogs, Texas and Margaret, also joined the ceremony. (via People)
By 2017, the couple had two children and Bell sported two new tattoos by her husband. Speaking to Larry King, she gushed, “He’s the most gentlemanly man I’ve ever met.”
Unfortunately, the pair divorced in October 2020. Bell announced their split on Instagram, saying, “With respect and thoughtful guidance, we will continue to be parental comrades in arms and best friends for all of our days.”
#7. Lake Bell posed topless on magazine covers
When the world fell in love with Lake Bell and her distinct characters, fans wanted more of her.
However, in 2013, some got more than expected when Bell posed nude for New York magazine, covered only by fake tattoos designed by her husband, Scott Campbell, just before the release of In a World….
A year later, she had a similar shoot for Esquire, appearing on the cover wearing only black pantyhose.
Despite criticism from some, Bell remains confident in her choices. Speaking on Off Camera with Sam Jones, she said, “I want to express myself in that way… it feels sexy. It feels beautiful.”
While there has been some social media backlash, Bell feels the support from her fans far outweighs the negativity.
#8. She became a Tribeca Film Festival juror
For more than two decades, the Tribeca Film Festival has been a hub for creative filmmakers to showcase their work, with the festival jury playing a key role in selecting winners.
In 2014, Lake Bell joined fellow jurors Whoopi Goldberg and Toni Collette to judge hundreds of entries. Tribeca Film recognized Bell as a “triple threat” after the success of In a World…, which performed well at Sundance and earned her several awards, including Breakthrough Performance Behind the Camera.
Bell shared her excitement with Mandatory about the honor, saying, “It’s a lot of work and I take it really seriously.”
Adding to the excitement, Bell revealed her baby bump at the Vanity Fair party during the festival, as reported by E! News. That same year, Bell had two films released: the animated Mr. Peabody & Sherman and Disney’s Million Dollar Arm, starring Jon Hamm.
#9. Lake Bell posed topless on magazine covers
After Lake Bell married Scott Campbell in 2013, they quickly began building their family, welcoming their first child, a daughter named Nova, in 2014 via home birth. Just a month before, Bell shared her excitement on Instagram, posting, “Everything is ready to go! Sterile, chillaxing, serene… Hope baby comes early!” Four months later, Bell was already back in the public eye, attending a pre-Oscar party.
On Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Bell recalled feeling “very empowered” by her first home birth, despite the scary moment when Nova was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck, a situation the midwife swiftly handled.
In 2017, her son Ozzy was born, also with the cord around his neck, but resuscitation didn’t work, leading to a tense moment when paramedics rushed him to the hospital. Thankfully, her husband sent Bell a video of Ozzy breathing at the hospital, defying initial concerns from doctors that he might not walk or talk.
In 2020, Bell opened up on Instagram about another family challenge, revealing that her daughter Nova has epilepsy. She wrote, “It’s the beginning of a long journey, and I want/need to remember that I am not alone… If you are dealing with a loved one with epilepsy, I get it… You are not alone.”
#10. Lake Bell co-created a sitcom
You never know where a school drop-off line encounter might lead, and for Lake Bell, meeting Dax Shepard there turned into something special.
The two ended up starring together in the sitcom Bless This Mess. Even more pivotal for Bell was reconnecting with New Girl creator Elizabeth Meriwether, as they co-created and wrote Bless This Mess, which premiered in 2019.
In 2017, Deadline reported that Fox had made a production commitment to the show, making it one of the few comedy pilots that year. The sitcom, which followed a New York couple moving to a Nebraska farm, quickly became a hit.
The Los Angeles Times compared it to Green Acres and Schitt’s Creek, acknowledging its charm, even if it might not have lasting rewatchability.
Despite the show’s popularity and Bell’s strong performance alongside Shepard, Bless This Mess was canceled after two seasons, ending a promising run.
#11. Whispers of a romance with Chris Rock
It’s tough to keep a low profile in your love life when you’re a celebrity—especially after a public divorce. After Lake Bell announced her split from Scott Campbell in 2020, she was briefly linked to actor/musician Nick Thune, according to The Daily Mail. However, the real buzz began when she was spotted with comedy legend Chris Rock.
It started in June 2022 when TMZ reported they were seen together at a St. Louis Cardinals game. The following month, they were photographed out and about in Los Angeles, with a source telling People, “They are getting to know each other and seem to have fun.”
Shortly after, People had another update, with a source noting, “They share a giant sense of humor and a way of looking at life with sarcasm and outrage, which gives them lots to laugh about.”
The pair even took a summer trip to Croatia together, and while Rock doesn’t appear on Bell’s Instagram, paparazzi photos of the couple smiling and holding hands suggest this romance is blossoming.
