Abby
Lisa Edelstein stars as Abby McCarthy in Bravo’s first original scripted series, “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce.” She has penned two episodes of the series, including episode #303, “Rule #187: You Are What You Eat, So… Chow Down” and episode #203, “Rule #8: Timing Is Everything,” the latter which she wrote with creator and executive producer Marti Noxon. Edelstein made her directorial debut for episode #504 “Rule #63: It’s A Marathon, Not a Sprint.” She can be seen next opposite Alan Arkin and Michael Douglas in Netflix’s “The Kominsky Method.”
Edelstein is most recognized for her role as Dr. Lisa Cuddy on the hit medical drama “House,” where she garnered a People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Actress. After a seven-season run, she has since transitioned into memorable arcs on “The Good Wife,” “House of Lies,” and “Castle,” as well as guest starred on “Elementary” and “Scandal.”
No stranger to fearless roles, Edelstein has portrayed Rob Lowe’s call-girl girlfriend on “The West Wing,” the transsexual boyfriend of James Le Gros on “Ally McBeal,” David Conrad’s lesbian sister on “Relativity,” and an Orthodox Jew losing custody of her child on “Family Law.” Â
Additional television credits include her series regular role on “Leap of Faith” and guest turns on “Seinfeld,” “The Practice,” “Without A Trace,” “Frasier,” “Felicity,” and “ER” to name a few. She got her start in television as Lisa E on MTV’s “Awake on the Wild Side.” Edelstein also works extensively in the realm of voiceover; most recently on “The Legend of Korra,” as well as voicing the character of Mercy Graves on the animated “Superman” and “Justice League” series, and memorable guest spots on “American Dad” and “King of the Hill.”
In feature films, Edelstein is probably best known as Ben Stiller’s aerobics-obsessed date in “Keeping the Faith.” Additional credits include “What Women Want,” “Daddy Day Care” and “As Good As It Gets” and “Joshy,” which debuted at Sundance in 2017. She’ll next appear in the indie features “Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets” with Brian Cox and Jason Isaacs, and “Phoenix, Oregon” in which she stars opposite James LeGros who she coincidentally directed in the “Unzipping” short which she also starred in, wrote, and produced.
She is also developing a one-hour pilot with Universal Cable Productions (UCP) and Phoenix Pictures, based on the book “Confessions of a Sociopath” by M.E. Thomas. Edelstein, who is set to star, is writing the script with Carol Barbee (“UnReal” and “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce”).Â
After honing her craft at the prestigious NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Edelstein performed in numerous off- and off-off-Broadway productions, including the AIDS-related musical, “Positive Me” which she authored, composed and performed. In fact, Common Ground recently bestowed her with an honor on behalf of her efforts to further awareness.
Edelstein resides in Los Angeles in a century old home with her husband, artist Robert Russell, two step-sons, and several rescue dogs. She volunteers her time with a variety of charitable organizations including Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, The Anti-Defamation League, Planned Parenthood and The Center for Reproductive Rights.
