Meet Jaki Lauper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaki Lauper.

Hi Jaki, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Thank you for having me! Growing up, I always wanted to be an actress and would perform for my mom and siblings at home and act in school plays. I started my professional acting career in my late teens, back in the days of afterschool specials with an appearance in the ABC Afterschool Special Just Tipsy, Honey, followed by an episode of the drama Family Medical Center and numerous theatre roles. Since then, I’ve appeared in many indie film projects on both coasts, including several in the horror genre earning the coveted title of ‘Scream Queen’ for blood-curdling on-screen screams.

I gave up professional acting to travel, get into radio and TV hosting, get married, and have three kids. Before making my way back to the west coast, I got my start as a journalist in Connecticut, gaining experience as a host and producer of a local talk show and as a journalist writing for the local paper. In 2019 I realized I missed my acting passion too much and decided now that I was back in my home turf of LA, I was going to seriously pursue acting again – because it’s never too late to follow your dreams 🙂

When I’m not acting or on mom duties (I’m a proud mom of three kids and many fur babies), I still work as a Radio Anchor/Host and Traffic & News Reporter for multiple iHeartRadio stations.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been more of a bumpy road for sure. I was always lucky enough to find agent/manager representation but even in my youth I didn’t get out on a ton of auditions and their was a lot of slow times both in the beginning of my career and now. You also encounter more no’s than yes’s in this biz, and you learn to just do the work in your auditions, have fun, and then let it go! At the same time, when you’re busy – it can be hectic to drop everything for auditions and shoots while juggling a home life/kids etc. but if you’re doing what you love – you make it work! Also another challenge as an actor: you have to be prepared for a lot of your work to end up on the cutting room floor and never see the light of day, but your job is to help move the storyline along and do it to the best of your ability. The rest is out of your hands.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an actress. Currently, I’m recurring as hospital administrator Donna Rosenblatt throughout season two of the celebrated Emmy-nominated Disney+ medical comedy-drama series, DOOGIE KAMEALOHA, M.D., which is streaming now on Disney Plus. Set in Hawaii, DOOGIE KAMEALOHA, M.D. follows the adventures of Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), a 16-year-old mixed-race wunderkind juggling her teenage life with a budding medical career. The series is based on the popular 90’s show Doogie Howser, M.D. and comes from creator Kourtney Kang. This popular young audiences/family show has earned four Children’s and Family Emmy Awards nominations for its first season.

I was thrilled at the opportunity to join the acclaimed show in their 2nd season. This was a dream come true experience. I loved playing Donna – a truly fun character for me, working in beautiful Hawaii with the most amazingly talented, kind, supportive, and creative team, led by the fantastic Kourtney Kang. It was also my first recurring role! I’m blessed to be in four episodes. The show is terrific and season 2 is on fire, so good!!

I’m also appearing opposite Eric Roberts in the sci-fi horror feature Alien Vampire Busters, and just finished a role as an overly cheerful waitress in the comedy short, In Reverse Order, which played at the TLC Chinese Theatre in Hollywood to excellent reviews. Up next I’m portraying a detective in the new dramatic Indy film Fatal Justice.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Please watch “Doogie Kamealoha, MD” streaming now on Disney Plus and catch me in Season 2. If you like the show please do tell friends/family and share this terrific family show as much as possible! Help Doogie get a Season 3 renewal!

Always open to collaboration and work.

You can find me on Twitter and Instagram as well as on IMDB.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://imdb.me/JakiLauper
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/JakiLauper
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakisbuzz
• Twitter: twitter.com/JakisBuzz

Image Credits
Bella Saville Photography Stasi Photography Disney+