Lauren Collins

Lauren Felice Collins (born August 29, 1986) is a Canadian actress, best known for portraying Paige Michalchuk on Degrassi: The Next Generation. She has also had supporting roles in the films Take the Lead (2006) and Charlie Bartlett (2007). In 2013, she appeared in multiple episodes of the sketch comedy Kroll Show, as well as a recurring guest role in the fourth season of the FX series The Strain (2017).

Lauren Collins
Collins in 2010
Born
Lauren Felice Collins

(1986-08-29) August 29, 1986 (age 37)
OccupationActress
Years active1998–present
Spouse
(m. 2018)
Children2

Early life

Collins was born in Thornhill, Ontario, the daughter of Sari (née Bresver) and Stan Collins.[1][2] Her father was born in London, England.[3] Collins was raised Jewish.[4] She has one brother, and her first cousin once-removed is Spencer Rice, one of the stars of Kenny vs Spenny. She is a graduate of Thornlea Secondary School.[5]

Career

Collins first began acting in 1998, with roles in various television series including Once a Thief, Noddy and I Was a Sixth Grade Alien. From 2000 to 2001, she had a recurring role on In a Heartbeat before landing the role of Paige Michalchuk on Degrassi: The Next Generation in 2001. She would stay on Degrassi until her departure in 2008.[6]

She also portrayed Derek's ex-girlfriend Kendra on Life with Derek. She has also appeared in numerous theatrical productions, playing the title roles in Alice in Wonderland and the production of Annie, and starring in the made-for-television film Virtual Mom.

In 2006, Collins made her feature film debut in Take the Lead, appearing alongside Antonio Banderas.[7] The following year she appeared in Charlie Bartlett (starring Anton Yelchin and Robert Downey Jr.).[8] In 2008, she co-starred in the direct-to-DVD feature Picture This, opposite Ashley Tisdale and fellow Degrassi alumnus Shenae Grimes.[9] After YouTube celebrity Shane Dawson expressed his interest in watching the Degrassi series, Collins starred in a parody video released March 6, 2010.[10] She once again worked with Disney Channel and Tisdale on the 2011 High School Musical spin-off feature, Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure, playing the role of Tiffani.[11]

From 2013 to 2014, Collins hosted MTV's 1 Girl 5 Gays replacing Aliya Jasmine Sovani, who had been hosting the show for 4 seasons.[12]

In 2014, she co-wrote and starred in the short film Zero Recognition, directed by Ben Lewis, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.[13] Between 2013 and 2014, Collins appeared in four episodes of the sketch comedy series Kroll Show.[14]

Collins reunited with her former Degrassi co-stars, in 2018, for Drake's "I'm Upset" music video.[15]

In 2023, she was cast as a lead, alongside Megan Follows, in a six-part short-form comedy, My Dead Mom.[16]

Personal life

Collins and actor Jonathan Malen married in October 2018.[17] Collins revealed on Instagram that she gave birth to a boy named Charlie Sebastian Malen on March 6, 2020. Their second son, Leo Wilder Malen, was born April 27, 2023.[18]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998Valentine's DayYoung AlmaAlso known as: Protector
2006Take the LeadCaitlin
2007Charlie BartlettKelly
2008Picture ThisAlexa
2011Servitude Krissy
2014Zero Recognition[13]DemiShort film
Writer
2015Farhope TowerJudy
2016Sadie's Last Days on EarthWriter
2017Apart from EverythingProducer
Lolz-itaShort film
Producer
2018NKPC: New Kid Placement Committee LillyShort film
The Christmas ChroniclesWoman at Another Table
Nose to Tail Beth
2019Run This TownSammi
2020Serious LeesCaitShort film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998Real Kids, Real AdventuresMeggieSeason 1, episode 6: "Earthquake: The Hayes Stuppy Story"
Blood on Her HandsRuby CollinsTelevision film
Once a ThiefCleo at 13Episode 20: "Politics of Love"
Tempting FateRubyTelevision film
Happy Christmas, Miss KingLibby HubbleTelevision film
1998–1999NoddyRox3 episodes
1999Rocky MarcianoMary AnneTelevision film
I Was a Sixth Grade AlienLindy May21 episodes
Restless SpiritsRhondaTelevision film
2000Virtual MomLucy FosterTelevision film
Deliberate IntentErin SmollaTelevision film
BabyPortia PinterTelevision film
2000–2001In a HeartbeatBrooke Lanier18 episodes
2001What Girls LearnSusieTelevision film
2001–2008Degrassi: The Next GenerationPaige Michalchuk143 episodes
2003Blue MurderShannon BradySeason 3, episode 12: "Necklace"
Mutant XMegan MorrisonSeason 2, episode 19: "One Step Closer"
Bury the LeadSara ChaseSeason 1, episode 12: "The RASH Troops of Error"
2004Renegadepress.comAmandaSeason 1, episode 4: "Skin Deep"
2005Totally Spies!Terra / GazellaVoice; 2 episodes
Radio Free RoscoeBlaire2 episodes
2005-2011Degrassi: MinisPaige Michalchuk18 episodes
2006Booky Makes Her MarkAda-MayTelevision film
Angela's EyesHeather KeeneEpisode: "Political Eyes"
2006–2009Life with DerekKendra10 episodes
2007GrossologyNaomiVoice; 2 episodes
2007–2009The Best YearsAlicia O'Sullivan8 episodes
2009Degrassi Goes HollywoodPaige MichalchukTelevision film
Willa's Wild LifeSaraVoice
Episode 1: "Happy Willa's Dad's Day / Willa's Wild Pony Tale"
2009-2011Being EricaYoung Barbera Strange3 episodes
2011She's the MayorTV ReceptionistEpisode 4: "Proclamation"
Sharpay's Fabulous AdventureTiffaniDisney Channel Original Movie
2013Long Story, ShortLucy8 episodes
Murdoch Mysteries: Nightmare on Queen StreetRebeccaMiniseries
2013–20141 Girl 5 GaysHerself / Host27 episodes
Kroll ShowCollette / Mary Belle Edwards4 episodes
2016SlasherEMTSeason 1: "The Executioner," episode 7: "In the Pride of His Face"
Degrassi: Next ClassPaige MichalchuckSeason 2, episode 5: "#ThrowBackThursday"
2017ConvictionLucy BatesEpisode 10: "Not Okay"
The StrainSophie4 episodes
2018Killer HighCarrieTelevision film
The Rick Mercer ReportDaughter1 episode
2018-2019ImpulseMeghan Lingerman4 episodes
2019The Hot ZoneRebecca2 episodes
2021Sex/Life Mrs. Brenda2 episode
What We Do in the ShadowsMegSeason 3, episode 2: "The Cloak of Duplication"
Hudson & RexOlive ChambersSeason 4, episode 4: "Leader of the Pack"
Canadian ReflectionsCaitTV series short
Episode: "Serious Lees"
2023Pretty Hard CasesYolanda Pesci2 episodes
TBASlipRose

Music videos

YearTitleDirectorArtist
2018I'm UpsetKarena EvansDrake

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryTitle of workResult
2002Young Artist AwardBest Ensemble in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama)Degrassi: The Next Generation
(Shared with cast)
Won
2003Young Artist AwardBest Ensemble in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama)Degrassi: The Next Generation
(Shared with cast)
Nominated
2004Gemini AwardBest Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or SeriesRenegadepress.com
(For episode "Skin Deep")
Nominated
2006Young Artist AwardBest Ensemble in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama)Degrassi: The Next Generation
(Shared with cast)
Nominated
2008Gemini AwardBest Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or SeriesDegrassi: The Next Generation
(For episode "Talking in Your Sleep")
Nominated

References

External links