Trivia

Was in a relationship with Peter Krause, her co-star on Parenthood (2010) from 2010-2021.

She cannot leave home without a book to read in case things get boring.

Lauren's father, Larry, is the President of the National Confectioners Association and was a founder of The Harkin Engel Protocol, an industry-wide agreement to ensure that cocoa is farmed responsibly, without the worst forms of child labor and forced adult labor. His groundbreaking work has spawned other efforts. Her mother, Donna, left her family when Lauren was five to pursue a singing career. She ended up in the fashion industry.

She loves horses and horseback riding. She wanted to be a jockey, but she was too tall.

Former roommates with actress Connie Britton.

Received her Master of Fine Arts in Acting Performance from Southern Methodist University.

Received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Barnard College in New York City.

Attended and graduated from Langley High School in McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia (1984).

She and Gilmore Girls (2000) co-star Scott Patterson both made appearances on the sitcom Seinfeld (1989) as a prospective girlfriend for Jerry and boyfriend for Elaine, respectively (but not on the same episode).

Her father has Irish ancestry and her mother has English and Scottish ancestry. She has a half-sister, Maggie, and a half-brother, Chris. Her first paying job was in high school, in a video about Planned Parenthood.

On The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (1999), when they were discussing the quotes then on her page on IMDb, she said that she preferred "Belly buttons are cool.". (February 1, 2003)

She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6284 Hollywood, California on October 3, 2025. Amy Sherman-Palladino (creator of Gilmore Girls (2000)) was a guest speaker at the ceremony. Her Walk of Fame star is located in front of the W Hollywood Hotel.

Before Gilmore Girls (2000), she and once guest star Scott Cohen both appeared on a three-part episode of Law & Order (1990) (though never appearing in the same scene).

She began her own production company, Good Game Productions (2003).

She has a dog named Hanna.