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Lara Flynn Boyle

Lara Flynn Boyle

Actor, also producer · Born March 24, 1970 (56) · Davenport, Iowa, USA

Lara Flynn Boyle (born March 24, 1970) is an American actress and producer. She is best known for her role as Donna Hayward in the ABC cult television series Twin Peaks (1990–1991). After portraying Stacy in Penelope Spheeris's comedy Wayne's World (1992), Boyle had a lead role in John Dahl's critically acclaimed neo-noir film Red Rock West (1993), followed by roles in Threesome (1994), Cafe Society (1995), and Happiness (1998). From 1997 to 2003, Boyle portrayed Assistant District Attorney Helen Gamble in the ABC television series The Practice for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Description above from the Wikipedia article Lara Flynn Boyle, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 24, 1970 (56)
From
Davenport, Iowa, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
42 on Motif · 57 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 65 days to Oct 28

What are Lara Flynn Boyle's films like?

Across their 37 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy16 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 12th percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
29%
Morality
26%
Self
15%
Society
12%
Survival
10%
Power
8%
Ideas
1%
Family bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception8 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 35 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 17 · Serious 8 · Dark 10

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 17 · Stylized 12 · Heightened 6

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 11 · Charged 16 · Intense 8

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 11 · Shifting 17 · Whiplash 7

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 14 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 13

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 21 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 19 · Engaged 16 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 18 · Affecting 10 · Heavy 7

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 25 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 6

Roles they play

20 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 5 of 20 analyzed roles.

Shadow
5 of 20
Shapeshifter
4 of 20
Trickster
4 of 20
Ally
3 of 20
Threshold guardian
2 of 20
Hero
1 of 20
Herald
1 of 20
Show the 20 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
20
Absurd
16
Melancholic
9
Warm
10
Dread
7
Other
28

How their films linger

Fun15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet18
  • Ambiguous11

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Lara Flynn Boyle's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 21 of their 42 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Lara Flynn Boyle's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

57 credits, 42 with a Motif page; 16 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Mother Couch(2023)

    as Linda

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Death in Texas(2020)

    as Grace

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Lucky Dog(2015)

    as Ms. Donley

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Hansel & Gretel Get Baked(2013)

    Producer · as Agnes/The Witch

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Cougar Hunting(2011)

    as Kathy

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Saturday Night Live in the 2000s: Time and Again(2010)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Life Is Hot in Cracktown(2009)

    as Betty McBain

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Baby on Board(2009)

    as Mary Radcliffe

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • A West Texas Children's Story(2007)

    Co-Producer · as Ben's Mother

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Shades of Black: The Conrad Black Story (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    as Barbara Amiel

  • The House Next Door(2006)

    as Col Kennedy

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Land of the Blind(2006)

    as La Première Dame

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Las Vegas(2003)

    Show 9 episodes · as Monica Mancuso

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • Men in Black II(2002)

    as Serleena

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Speaking of Sex(2001)

    as Dr. Emily Paige

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Chain of Fools(2000)

    as Karen

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Susan's Plan(1998)

    as Betty Johnson

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Happiness(1998)

    as Helen Jordan

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Since You've Been Gone(1998)

    as Grace Williams

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Afterglow(1997)

    as Marianne Byron

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Helen Gamble (uncredited) · as Tally Cupp (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Cafe Society (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    as Pat Ward

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 132 episodes · as Helen Gamble

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Farmer & Chase (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    as Hillary

  • Red Meat (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    as Ruth

  • The Big Squeeze(1996)

    as Tanya Mulhill

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • E! True Hollywood Story (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Jacob(1994)

    as Rahel

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Road to Wellville(1994)

    as Ida Muntz

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Baby's Day Out(1994)

    as Laraine

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Past Tense (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    as Tory Bass / Sabrina James

  • Threesome(1994)

    as Alex

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Red Rock West(1993)

    as Suzanne Brown

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Temp(1993)

    as Kris Bolin

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Equinox(1992)

    as Beverly Franks

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Where the Day Takes You(1992)

    as Heather

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Wayne's World(1992)

    as Stacy

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Eye of the Storm (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as Sandra Gladstone

  • Mobsters(1991)

    as Mara Motes

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Dark Backward(1991)

    as Rosarita

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Hidden Room (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Nicole

  • The Rookie(1990)

    as Sarah

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Dawn Talley

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • May Wine (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    as Cammie

  • Twin Peaks(1990)

    Show 30 episodes · as Donna Hayward

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Twin Peaks (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Donna Hayward

  • The Preppie Murder(1989)

    as Jennifer Levin

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Dead Poets Society(1989)

    as Ginny Danburry

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • How I Got Into College(1989)

    as Jessica Kailo

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Terror on Highway 91(1989)

    as Laura Taggart

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Live with Kelly and Mark(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all shows

  • Poltergeist III(1988)

    as Donna Gardner

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Sable (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 7 episodes · as Melanie Waterston

  • Dead Serious (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    as Host

  • Amerika (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 7 episodes · as Jacqueline 'Jessie' Bradford

  • Jack and Mike (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 17 episodes · as Leslie

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 56 titles from 1986 to 2024; peak year 1993.

Biggest box office

Men in Black II (2002)

$445M worldwide

Highest rated

Twin Peaks (1990)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

The Practice (1997)

Film career

19862024

Peak 1993 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 11 Motif titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting56 of 56: 55 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score40thProducing1 of 56: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s11 · acting1990s30 · acting2000s10 · 10 acting · 1 crew2010s3 · acting2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 10% of 29 roles
88939803

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Lara Flynn Boyle's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 39th percentile, the median of all 36; across their 35 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 39th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 35

Approval · how many liked their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 35

Reach · how many have seen their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 35

Midcredits score across 42 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th16
  • Below 25th11

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 42 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

Lucky Dog (2015)

82nd percentile spread · 48% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Midcredits 99th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 32 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 40. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Lara Flynn Boyle's work okay for kids?

Across up to 16 Motif titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore9 titles14–75 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity16 titles19–72 · median 42 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity10 titles30–84 · median 51 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles20–60 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles9–85 · median 52 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Lara Flynn Boyle work with?

People who share at least 2 of Lara Flynn Boyle's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Matthew Modine shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Editors

Producers