Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Actress Lauren Sweetser Is Helping To Shake Up The Entertainment Industry

…This is kind of a corny one, but I mean it in the most genuine way: truly just be yourself. There were so many times when I was starting out that I’d see a role and I’d really try to fit into that mold because I wanted the job. I wanted to work. But a lot of those roles just weren’t going to be a fit — or maybe I was the fit, but if I was busy trying to be something else instead of just being myself, I might have missed out….

I had the pleasure of talking with Lauren Sweetser. Lauren is an actress and producer whose career has been defined by her commitment to authentic storytelling and a passion for the performing arts. Sweetser gained recognition for her role as Gail in Winter’s Bone (2010), a critically acclaimed film that won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and earned four Academy Award nominations. Her performance in the film marked a pivotal moment in her career, setting the stage for her work in television and independent cinema. Sweetser is currently back at Sundance with her latest film, Sunfish (& Other Stories from Green Lake) in which she plays Jen, a single mother to a thirteen year old daughter. She was born and raised on Green Lake, but was kicked out of the house at seventeen after she started showing. She is now recently married and prepared to put herself first for once in her life.

Raised in a family with deep roots in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Sweetser developed an early love for the arts, initially pursuing dance as her primary creative outlet. However, her path shifted unexpectedly when she auditioned for a play at the urging of a friend. That experience ignited a passion for acting, and she soon began to explore the craft in earnest. Sweetser attended high school in Fayetteville before enrolling at Missouri State University, where she joined the theater program. During her college years, she began to study film and television acting outside of her formal curriculum, an endeavor that led to her successful audition for Winter’s Bone.

Following her breakout role, Sweetser moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time, a decision that opened doors to an array of opportunities in television and film. Her television credits include appearances in NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, True Detective, and Chicago Med, showcasing her versatility as an actress across a range of genres. She also appeared in For All Mankind, where her portrayal of Jewel revealed both her nuanced approach to character development and her ability to navigate complex roles.

In addition to her on-screen performances, Sweetser has ventured into producing, a passion she discovered while collaborating on the 2018 period thriller The Riot Act. Partnering with director Devon Parks, she took on a dual role as both producer and lead actress in the film, which was shot in Arkansas. The experience proved transformative, deepening her understanding of the filmmaking process and sparking a long-term interest in creating stories from behind the camera.

Throughout her career, Sweetser has embraced roles that reflect her dedication to meaningful and character-driven narratives. From her turn as Isabel Hoyt in True Detective to her portrayal of Colleen Nick in the documentary series Still Missing Morgan, Sweetser has demonstrated an ability to inhabit roles with depth and authenticity. Her ongoing projects include a comedy series inspired by Southern culture and a feature film exploring the harrowing experiences of unwed mothers during The Baby Scoop Era in post–World War II America.

Now based once again in Fayetteville, Sweetser continues to balance her roles as an actress, producer, and new mother. Her return to Arkansas has brought her full circle, providing her with a sense of connection to her roots while fostering a deeper commitment to the region’s artistic community. She is actively involved in projects that highlight Arkansas’s rich history and culture, further solidifying her role as both a creative force and an advocate for her home state.

Looking to the future, Sweetser is focused on expanding her producing portfolio and exploring stories that resonate on a personal and societal level. With a career spanning over two decades, she remains committed to creating work that challenges perceptions and celebrates the complexities of human experience.

Yitzi: Lauren, it’s a delight and an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share with us a story of your childhood and how you grew up?

Lauren: So nice to be here. Thank you for having me. I’m fifth generation from Fayetteville, Arkansas, which is where I recently moved back to. My roots run really deep here. I grew up as an artist — mainly a dancer. I danced my whole life and really thought that would be the path I’d follow.

Then one day, a friend randomly asked me to audition for a play with her. We were riding home together from school, and she needed to do it before we left. I thought, “Well, I’m here, so I might as well.” I ended up getting a part, and I just fell in love with the process — building a character, breaking down a play, and really learning how to embody a role.

I’d always loved movies as a kid, but growing up in Arkansas, you don’t think, “I’m going to be an actor.” That just wasn’t something people around here did. But I’d saved all my movie tickets and memorabilia since I was a kid, and going to the movies was a huge escape for me. So after doing that play, I thought, “Wait a second — I can marry all of these interests.” I could combine dancing, acting, and even my love of music. I play the guitar and do a little singing and songwriting just for fun. I’ve always been an artist at heart.

I went to high school here in Fayetteville, and then I went to college a couple of hours away in Missouri, at Missouri State University. I was in the theater program — eventually. Funny story: I actually didn’t get accepted into the theater program at first. There was some political scandal behind the scenes that had nothing to do with me, but I kept the rejection letter. I told myself, “One day…” Anyway, I got into the program the following year.

While I was at college, I took a film and television acting class outside of the university called the Creative Actors Studio. That’s where I ended up auditioning for Winter’s Bone, which really set me on the path to what I’m doing now. I remember reading the script and absolutely loving it. I thought it was great, but I was also so young and inexperienced that I had no idea what would come of it. I just knew I was getting my SAG card, and that felt like the biggest deal ever. From there, everything took off.

After graduating, I pretty much threw my cap in the air, got in the car, and headed straight to Los Angeles. I’d actually spent my summers during college in LA, taking internships, working as a PA on a really bad reality show, and even working for an agent. I was just trying to learn the ropes and figure out what moving to LA would really mean. I thought I wanted to move there, but I didn’t entirely know how to navigate it.

After graduating and with Winter’s Bone under my belt, I was able to really pursue acting. I lived in LA for 13 years. I got married in 2023, had a baby in 2024, and now I’m back here in Fayetteville. That’s where I’m at now.

Wow, that was a really long origin story, but there it is!

Yitzi: You probably have some amazing experiences and stories from working on different sets and projects. Can you share one or two stories that stand out in your mind from your professional life?

Lauren: The first one that comes to mind is from when I had a role on season three of True Detective. I was cast out of Los Angeles, but they ended up shooting the season here in Fayetteville, Arkansas. That was such a strange experience — being cast out of LA, not as local talent, and then flying into Fayetteville. I got a hotel, a rental car, all of that, and I just kept thinking, “This is so weird.” It was the first time I’d flown into my hometown and gotten a rental car and a hotel. I still saw my family of course, but it was nice to have my own private space to focus on my work.

Then I’d get to set, and people would ask, “How do you like Fayetteville, Arkansas?” And I’d say, “I like it! It’s great.” They’d ask if I’d had a chance to go out and do anything, and I’d tell them, “I have.” It always led to conversations about how I’m actually from here, which was funny to explain.

But what really made it special was when we wrapped the show. We had a wrap party at the Walton Arts Center. I grew up dancing there and had so many dance recitals in that space, so it was a full-circle moment for me. It felt like everything had aligned, like I was in the right place at the right time, on the right path. That was a really special experience.

Another cool experience I want to share is about the first movie I ever produced. My producing partner for that project is also from Arkansas. He had cast me in a short film while I was in LA. The short film, which he was shooting in Arkansas, was called Step Into: Miss Laura’s. It was about a brothel — actually, the building is still there and has been turned into a historical museum and we got to film the whole thing there.

We worked on that project together, and afterward, he told me, “Hey, I’ve got this feature I’ve written. I’m going to direct it, and I’d love for you to star in it. Read it and let me know what you think.” So, I read it, and I thought it was awesome. I asked him, “Do you need help making this? What do you need help with?” I’d always wanted to produce, but I didn’t quite know how I would fit in or how to get started.

He said he did need help, and, long story short, we partnered up. We shot the film in 2018, I believe, here in Arkansas. It’s a turn-of-the-century period piece thriller. Looking back, I was probably insane to take on my first feature film as a turn-of-the-century period piece, but we did it! It’s a gorgeous film called The Riot Act. Devon Parks was my partner on that project — he also directed and wrote it.

It’s something I’m really proud of. Of all the things I’ve done, I’d say that was maybe my proudest moment because we truly made that film happen. It was also my first time producing, and I discovered my second love — producing. It was so fun to not only star in the film but also build a team and learn how to actually make a movie.

Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you first started acting and the lesson you learned from it?

Lauren: The first thing that comes to mind is right after Winter’s Bone happened. I moved to Los Angeles permanently, and the very first audition I went to, I booked. I think the humor in that was how I thought, “I’ve got this made. This is easy! I don’t know what everyone’s been talking about — this isn’t hard at all.”

The first movie I ever did did really well, and I booked my first TV gig on my very first try, too. But I had to learn a tough lesson: it doesn’t always work like that. Success isn’t always going to come so easily or so quickly. You have to develop resilience because there are going to be a lot of nos, and there are times when you’ll feel like quitting.

I’ve learned to think of my career as a lifelong journey. You don’t need to put a timeline on it, like, “By this age, I’m going to achieve this,” or, “By that age, I’ll have accomplished that.” Everyone’s path is different, and that’s especially true in the entertainment industry.

So I’d say the biggest lessons for me at that time were to be grateful when you book a job, don’t expect for that to happen all the time and to understand that comparison is the thief of joy. You can’t compare your path to anyone else’s because it’s not going to look the same. Once I realized that, it became easier to focus on my own journey.

Yitzi: None of us achieve success without some help along the way. We love hearing stories about someone who’s a little further ahead opening a door or creating an opportunity that changes someone’s career trajectory. Do you have a story like that, where someone opened a door for you? And do you do that for others — create opportunities for them?

Lauren: That’s a good question. I don’t know if there’s one specific person who comes to mind, but I’d say it’s more about the idea that the harder you work, the luckier you get. It’s also about who you surround yourself with. Especially when I was in LA, I learned pretty quickly to surround myself with good people. You know that saying, “Look at your friends, and you’ll see your future”? That really resonated with me.

I believe if you put out goodness, you’ll receive it in return. The more I focus on that, the more I find it to be true. And along the way, there have been people who were newer than I was, and I’ve tried to help them however I could. I don’t have one big, dramatic story about someone changing my career, but I will say that having the right people around you is so important. This industry is hard, and there’s so much rejection. You need friends who will be your cheerleaders no matter what. I was lucky to find a great group of people who supported me then and still do now.

Yitzi: That’s beautiful. Please share with us some exciting projects you’re working on now. What are you working on, and what do you hope to be working on in the near future?

Lauren: I’m really excited about the film I have at Sundance this year called Sunfish (And Other Stories on Green Lake). It’s a beautiful debut feature film by writer, director and producer Sierra Falconer. Viewers will be blown away by this film and even more so once they learn that this was her UCLA graduate thesis film. It’s a touching and heartfelt anthology film with an incredibly talented cast and I’m excited for the world to see it.

I’m working on a comedy right now that I’m really excited about. It’s based in the South and revolves around crazy families and funny, outrageous stories — really highlighting southern culture. A friend and I are writing it together, and between the two of us, we have some pretty wild, hilarious family stories. So we thought, “Why don’t we take a stab at writing this?” It’s been a lot of fun to develop.

I also have another project that I’ve been working on, off and on, for almost 15 years now. It’s about The Baby Scoop Era when unwed pregnant women were unjustly coerced into giving up their children for adoption. Many of these women had their children taken from them through the adoption system, and it’s a heartbreaking story that’s not talked about enough. We originally started this project as a documentary, but it got paused during COVID. Now we’ve shifted it into a feature film, and it’s still in development. It’s a project I’m really passionate about and excited to continue working on.

Something I’d love to do in the near future is play a badass female in a Western role. I grew up riding horses, shooting firearms and I have a lot of stunt and fight training under my belt so I would love to do that sometime.

Yitzi: Amazing. You mentioned Winter’s Bone, which is a critically acclaimed film. From an insider’s perspective, what do you think made that film so beloved?

Lauren: I think it was just real. There were so many elements of it that weren’t set design; they were authentic. We were shooting in real people’s homes, and the kids in the movie weren’t actors — they were just real kids who lived in the town. Deborah Granik, the director, does so much research and completely immerses herself in the subject matter of her films. She goes through everything with a fine-tooth comb and really captures the culture of the story she’s telling.

She’s also an actor’s director, and the way she works with actors is just incredible. I think that combination of authenticity and her attention to detail made the film resonate so deeply with people. It was raw, real, and different, and that’s why it stood out.

Yitzi: You’ve had roles in NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles, both very iconic and beloved franchises. Do you have any interesting stories or anecdotes from being part of those productions?

Lauren: I do- at the time that I booked NCIS: Los Angeles I was working as a bartender at a country club in Santa Monica where Chris O’donnell and his family were members. They were all always very kind. His wife had a tequila drink she’d created that she and her friends always wanted to have. With so many different staff at any given time and many members wanting it but not knowing what was in it, it got confusing-so I named it The O’donnell and taught everyone how to make it. So I’m on set with Chris and LL Cool J during a break in between takes and I look to Chris and say “you don’t recognize me do you?” And he sort of looks worried and says “Oh gosh no i don’t, should I?” I said “Yes, i’m your bartender at the Club! I coined the term for your wife’s drink, The O’donnell.” We had a good laugh about that and had a great experience filming.

And then there was Mark Harmon. He was amazing as well — so accessible, kind, and just generous with his time. I have nothing but great things to say about that franchise and the people I worked with on those sets. It was such a positive experience.

Yitzi: Amazing. You’re in one of my favorite series of all time, For All Mankind. Could you compare and contrast your personal character, Lauren, with the character of Jewel that you play in the series? How are you similar, and how are you different?

Lauren: Jewel has great style and I like to think that I do too. But I’m not the type to go to a bar, pick somebody up, and then jump in the sack with them. So, we’re definitely different there! But she had a vulnerability to her that I think I have as well. I don’t always show it — it takes me a little more time to let that side of me come through. I thought it was interesting how she was able to show a bit of that, even in the small scenes she had.

Yitzi: Let’s move on to our signature question. You’ve had a lot of success now. Looking back to when you first started, can you share five things that you know now that you wish somebody had told you back then?

Lauren: Oh man, this is kind of a corny one, but I mean it in the most genuine way: truly just be yourself. There were so many times when I was starting out that I’d see a role and I’d really try to fit into that mold because I wanted the job. I wanted to work. But a lot of those roles just weren’t going to be a fit — or maybe I was the fit, but if I was busy trying to be something else instead of just being myself, I might have missed out. So that would be number one.

Two: I’d say take care of your body — work out, eat well, but also rest. The rest part, I wasn’t so good at.

Three: Say no. I did not say no a lot. I found myself really spread thin because I was trying to do so much. I’d say I’m a recovering people pleaser. I was always saying yes and doing things more for other people than for myself.

Four: Be careful who you’re vulnerable with and how much you share. Don’t overshare with certain people because not everybody has your best interests at heart. Some people might be out for something else.

And number five? Get more dogs.

Yitzi: Beautiful. So you mentioned taking care of yourself. Can you share with our readers some of the self-care routines that you do to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?

Lauren: I got into Pilates last year, and I really love it. For my body and mind, I try to eat as healthy as I can. I also like to meditate and write, which helps keep my mind at ease. That’s something I have to work on practicing more consistently, even if it’s only five minutes a day. Everyone has five minutes they can commit to themselves. And rest — getting rest is so important, and asking for help when you need it is, too. Like yesterday, my mom took my seven-month-old for the afternoon so I could catch up on some much needed rest. Asking for help is hard for me sometimes, but it’s always a good thing to do.

Yitzi: Beautiful, amazing. Okay, this is our aspirational question. Because of the platform you’ve built and the great work you do, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?

Lauren: Oh man, that’s a tough one. This is very general, but I’d say giving and putting out goodness, whatever that means to you. Whether that’s tipping well when you go out, complimenting someone, or helping someone in need. Just be kind. What you put out is what you receive and I wish more people understood that.

Yitzi: This is what we call our matchmaker question. Sometimes we’re very blessed that prominent leaders in entertainment and business read this column. Is there a person in the world or the U.S. with whom you’d like to have a power lunch, grab a coffee, or collaborate? We could tag them on social media — maybe we could help connect you.

Lauren: Really? Anthony Hopkins is definitely my number one. He’s just — stage, screen, everything. He’s got the most incredible résumé. Ever since I saw the movie Meet Joe Black — I cry just thinking about that movie — he’s so precious. He reminds me of my dad in that film, and I think that’s why I like him so much in it. But also, his Instagram — he’s just so much himself, and I love that. He’s an incredible artist and seems like an incredible human. I’ve never met him or been in his orbit, but I would love, love, love to work with him more than anybody, ever.

Yitzi: Great answer. So, how can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they watch your current movies and TV shows, or your future projects? And how can they support you in any way?

Lauren: The best way to support and follow me is through my instagram, @howsweetseritis. That’s the main social media platform I use. You can watch The Riot Act on Amazon Prime Video and Applet TV+. And any of my shows should be on the streaming platform for the network they’re on.

Yitzi: Well, it’s been so nice to meet you, Lauren. We wish you continued success and blessings, and I hope we can do this again next year.

Lauren: Yes, absolutely. Thank you so much.