---
name: "Lake Bell"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/lake-bell"
fi1m_id: "lake-bell"
imdb_id: "nm1128572"
tmdb_id: 25703
wikidata_id: "Q241686"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "24 March 1979"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-13T04:18:52.917310+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Lake Bell

## Identity

Lake Bell

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lake-bell
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** lake-bell
- **IMDb ID:** nm1128572
- **TMDB ID:** 25703
- **Wikidata ID:** Q241686
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Bell, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q241686, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1128572/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/25703

Actor. Born 24 March 1979 in New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 24 March 1979, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 2004–present
- **Frequently works with:** [Brian Lynch](https://film.one/person/brian-lynch.md), [Chris Meledandri](https://film.one/person/chris-meledandri.md), [Chris Renaud](https://film.one/person/chris-renaud.md), [Eric Stonestreet](https://film.one/person/eric-stonestreet.md), [Janet Healy](https://film.one/person/janet-healy.md), [Jenny Slate](https://film.one/person/jenny-slate.md), [Kevin Hart](https://film.one/person/kevin-hart.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 70 (2), 2010s 72 (4), 2020s 73 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 68 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Adventure 4, Animation 3, Action 2, Drama 2, Family 2
- **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,655m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Bell, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q241686, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1128572/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/25703

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*The Chair Company*](https://film.one/tv/the-chair-company.md) (80)
- **Disney+:** [*New Girl*](https://film.one/tv/new-girl.md) (80)
- **Hulu:** [*It's Complicated*](https://film.one/film/its-complicated.md) (63)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Secret Life of Pets 2*](https://film.one/film/the-secret-life-of-pets-2.md) (62)
- **Peacock:** [*Shrek Forever After*](https://film.one/film/shrek-forever-after.md) (60)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Lake Bell

> Lake Bell gives comic supporting characters a life beyond the leading man’s trouble. We value her timing and her attention to voice, though the conventional best-friend parts have not always given her enough to do.

Lake Bell gives us someone else to watch while Tim Robinson’s Ron dominates *The Chair Company* (2025). As Barb Trosper, she keeps the supporting cast from feeling like people lined up to be overwhelmed by him. We were relieved to have her there: Ron’s discomfort can become exhausting, and Barb gives us someone else worth attending to. She is doing a supporting actor’s job properly, in a comedy that could easily forget it needs anyone beyond its lead.

The early work did not always offer that opportunity. *Boston Legal* (2004–2006), in which she played Sally Heep, established her on television, while films such as *What Happens in Vegas* (2008) put her in more conventional comic supporting parts. Those roles are a limited guide to what interests her as a performer. The more revealing turn is *In a World...* (2013), her feature writing-and-directing debut, in which she also plays Carol Solomon.

That film’s subject, voice-over work, makes sense for an actor with a sustained interest in voice and dialect. Bell’s comic timing and physical comedy are strengths; we would pay as much attention to what she does with her voice. Her animation work includes Chloe in *The Secret Life of Pets* (2016). Co-creating and starring in *Bless This Mess* (2019–2020) gave her another opportunity to help shape the comedy she performed.

In *The Chair Company*, the writing team, including Robinson and Zach Kanin, supplies dialogue precise enough to make the awkward encounters more than a succession of complaints. Bell helps those exchanges work by giving us an interest in someone beyond Ron. Some scenes still prolong the embarrassment beyond the joke, and her presence cannot solve that problem. It is a reservation about a programme we recommend, rather than about her place in it. For Bell choosing the words as well as saying them, try *In a World...*.

## Biography

Lake Bell is an American actress, director and screenwriter. Born in New York City on 24 March 1979, she trained at Rose Bruford College in London after attending Skidmore College.

She is known for television roles in *Boston Legal* (2004–2006), *Surface* (2005–2006), *How to Make It in America* (2010–2011), *Children's Hospital* (2008–2016) and *Bless This Mess* (2019–2020), which she co-created. Film credits include *What Happens in Vegas* (2008), *It's Complicated* (2009), *No Strings Attached* (2011), *No Escape* (2015) and voice work in *The Secret Life of Pets* (2016) and *Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse* (2018). She made her feature directorial debut with *In a World...* (2013), which she also wrote and starred in.

Bell has directed episodes of *Pam & Tommy* (2022) and appeared as Barb Trosper in the series *The Chair Company* (2025).

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, deadline.com.*

## On Fi1m (8)

- *The Chair Company* (2025), Fi1m 80, as Barb Trosper — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-chair-company.md)
- *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever* (2022), Fi1m 66, as Dr. Graham — [page](https://film.one/film/black-panther-wakanda-forever.md)
- *The Secret Life of Pets 2* (2019), Fi1m 62, as Chloe (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-secret-life-of-pets-2.md)
- *Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse* (2018), Fi1m 87, as Vanessa Fisk (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-into-the-spider-verse.md)
- *New Girl* (2011), Fi1m 80, as Amanda — [page](https://film.one/tv/new-girl.md)
- *Shrek Forever After* (2010), Fi1m 60, as Patrol Witch / Wagon Witch #2 (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/shrek-forever-after.md)
- *It's Complicated* (2009), Fi1m 63, as Agness Adler — [page](https://film.one/film/its-complicated.md)
- *Boston Legal* (2004), Fi1m 76, as Sally Heep — [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)

## Complete filmography (60)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Chair Company* (2025), series, as Barb Trosper — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-chair-company.md)
- *Under the Lights* (2025), Actor
- *Kite Man: Hell Yeah!* (2024), series, as Poison Ivy / The Cheetah (voice)
- *Mother, Couch* (2024), as Anne
- *X-Men '97* (2024), series, as Black Widow (voice)
- *The Conspiracy* (2022), Actor
- *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever* (2022), as Dr. Graham — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/black-panther-wakanda-forever.md)
- *Summering* (2022), as Laura
- *Pam & Tommy* (2022), series, Director
- *Cryptozoo* (2021), as Lauren Grey (voice)
- *What If...?* (2021), series, as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow (voice), Natasha Romanoff (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/what-if.md)
- *Medical Police* (2020), series, as Cat Black
- *Harley Quinn* (2019), series, as Poison Ivy (voice)
- *The Secret Life of Pets 2* (2019), as Chloe (voice) — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/the-secret-life-of-pets-2.md)
- *Bless This Mess* (2019), series, as Rio Levine-Young · Director, Creator
- *Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse* (2018), as Vanessa Fisk (voice) — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-into-the-spider-verse.md)
- *Home Again* (2017), as Zoey Bell
- *I Do... Until I Don't* (2017), as Alice Brewing · Producer, Director, Screenplay
- *Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later* (2017), series, as Donna
- *Shot Caller* (2017), as Kate Harlon
- *The Secret Life of Pets* (2016), as Chloe (voice)
- *No Escape* (2015), as Annie Dwyer
- *Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp* (2015), series, as Donna Berman
- *Man Up* (2015), as Nancy Patterson
- *BoJack Horseman* (2014), series, as Katrina Peanutbutter (voice), Katrina Peanutbutter / Cargo Ship Captain / Chloe (voice) — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/bojack-horseman.md)
- *Million Dollar Arm* (2014), as Brenda
- *Mr. Peabody & Sherman* (2014), as Mona Lisa (voice)
- *In a World...* (2013), as Carol Solomon · Writer, Producer, Director
- *¡El Tonto!* (2012), Director, Writer
- *TRON: Uprising* (2012), series, as Lux
- *Black Rock* (2012), as Lou
- *New Girl* (2011), series, as Amanda — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/new-girl.md)
- *A Good Old Fashioned Orgy* (2011), as Alison Lobel
- *Nick Kroll: Thank You Very Cool* (2011), as Gun Girl
- *No Strings Attached* (2011), as Lucy
- *Little Murder* (2011), as Corey Little
- *Home for Actresses* (2011), as Lake
- *Worst Enemy* (2010), Director, Writer
- *Shrek Forever After* (2010), as Patrol Witch / Wagon Witch #2 (voice) — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/shrek-forever-after.md)
- *Burning Palms* (2010), as Maryjane
- *How to Make It in America* (2010), series, as Rachel Chapman
- *It's Complicated* (2009), as Agness Adler — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/its-complicated.md)
- *The League* (2009), series, as Brooke
- *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Cat Black · Director
- *Prop 8: The Musical* (2008), as Scary Catholic School Girls From Hell
- *Pride and Glory* (2008), as Megan Egan
- *What Happens in Vegas* (2008), as Tipper
- *Over Her Dead Body* (2008), as Ashley
- *Under Still Waters* (2008), as Charlie
- *Phineas and Ferb* (2007), series, as Katherine Marshall (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/phineas-and-ferb.md)
- *Rampage: The Hillside Strangler Murders* (2006), as Jillian
- *Surface* (2005), series, as Laura Daughtery
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Sally Heep — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *Slammed* (2004), as Gina Micelli
- *I Love Your Work* (2003), as Felicia
- *Miss Match* (2003), series, as Victoria Carlson
- *War Stories* (2003), as Nora Stone
- *Speakeasy* (2002), as Sara Marnikov
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Sally Heep
- *ER* (1994), series, as Jody Holmes — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)

## Gallery

- ![Lake Bell in June 2009.](https://film.one/media/person/26872/gallery-e2deb04bde4b.jpg) Lake Bell in June 2009. — Porter Hovey at http://www.porterhovey.com/, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/LakeBellJun09.jpg/1280px-LakeBellJun09.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Lake Bell at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/26872/gallery-00e66bbad12a.jpg) Lake Bell at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Lake_Bell_%285976950343%29.jpg/1280px-Lake_Bell_%285976950343%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Lake Bell at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/26872/gallery-e77b66b5873f.jpg) Lake Bell at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Lake_Bell_%285977514746%29.jpg/1280px-Lake_Bell_%285977514746%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Lake Bell](https://film.one/media/person/26872/gallery-0a34494bb8a6.jpg) Lake Bell — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Lake_Bell_2011_Shankbone.JPG/1280px-Lake_Bell_2011_Shankbone.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Lake Bell](https://film.one/media/person/26872/gallery-5ce3d6cbfac2.jpg) Lake Bell — Image via TMDB
- ![Lake Bell](https://film.one/media/person/26872/gallery-d2c2902b0484.jpg) Lake Bell — Image via TMDB
- ![Lake Bell](https://film.one/media/person/26872/gallery-212463b201ed.jpg) Lake Bell — Image via TMDB
- ![Lake Bell at the MFF promoting "In A World.." (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/26872/gallery-0be55f62b9ca.jpg) Lake Bell at the MFF promoting "In A World.." (2013) — Montclair Film Festival, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Lake_Bell_MFF_2013.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Lake Bell](https://film.one/media/person/26872/gallery-dafaa7fe17ac.jpg) Lake Bell — Image via TMDB
- ![Lake Bell](https://film.one/media/person/26872/gallery-946a8bd54008.jpg) Lake Bell — Image via TMDB
- ![Lake Bell](https://film.one/media/person/26872/gallery-23bbe705d46c.jpg) Lake Bell — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/lake-bell