Lauren Ridloff

Lauren Ridloff was born on 6th April 1978 in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents belong to a different ethnicities; her father is Mexican while her mother is African-American. As she was the only deaf member in the family, they helped her in learning the sign language from an early age.

Lauren went to a mainstream school where everybody could hear, which made it extremely difficult for her to adjust. She would listen to an interpreter in class who translated everything the teacher said. Lauren used to believe ‘deaf people didn’t become adults’ as she had never witnessed an elderly deaf person in her life.

Lauren Ridloff is a former teacher who is best known for her portrayal of Connie in 'The Walking Dead.'

Lauren Ridloff is a former teacher who is best known as ‘Connie’ in ‘The Walking Dead.’
Source: MCU Fandom

After her schooling in Washington, DC, she attended California State University, where she graduated in English and creative writing. Lauren later moved to New York and began teaching Kindergarten students. She did so for a few years until destiny had other plans for her.

Lauren Ridloff is Marvel’s first deaf superhero

The Walking Dead Connie Actress Lauren Ridloff will play the role of Makkari in Marvel's 'The Eternals.'

Lauren Ridloff will play the role of ‘Makkari’ in Marvel’s ‘The Eternals.’
Source: Phone Technology Reviews

During the San Diego comic con in 2019, Marvel Studios made some exciting revelations in regards to their upcoming comic movie known as The Eternals. Led by Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, and Richard Madden (Game of Thrones / Bodyguard), the majority of the overall cast in the film are pretty new into the industry.

One of the biggest surprises was the inclusion of the 2018’s Tony Award nominee (for her marvelous performance as Sarah Norman in the Broadway play Children of a Lesser God), Lauren Ridloff, who became the first deaf superhero in the history of Marvel Cinematic Universe. It came as a pleasant surprise to many the fact that Marvel was representing the deaf community in their splendid movies.

Watch: Lauren Ridloff Brings Authentic Deaf Representation To The Big Screen

The actress plays one of the members of the immortal title species named Makkari. Starring alongside her is the fellow Broadway star Tyree Henry (Phastos). Likewise, Kumail Nanjiani plays Kingo, Lia McHugh portrays Sprite, Gemma Chan as Sersi, and Don Lee depicts Gilgamesh.

Lauren Ridloff is married to her husband, Douglas Ridloff

Back in the early 2000s, Lauren Ridloff was named Miss Deaf America 2000-2002 as Lauren Teruel. Following the event, the actress moved to New York and somewhere down the line met Douglas Ridloff, who is a deaf artist as well. The couple took their relationship forward and ended up getting married. The duo shares two children.

Lauren Ridloff shares two kids with her husband Douglas Ridloff.

Lauren Ridloff shares two kids with Douglas Ridloff.
Source: Getty Images

Back in 2018, The New York Times interviewed the rising actress where she revealed, ‘my life has changed in every way.’ Moreover, she talked about her husband, who oversees ASL poetry where body language, movement, and rhythm are used to create a pictorial equivalent to oral poetry. As a matter of fact, one of the couple’s neighbors even learned sign language just to interact with them.

Meanwhile, talking about his lack of fondness for theatres, Douglas said – “I’m not crazy about Broadway shows in general. I’m more of a movie guy.”

Lauren Ridloff plays the role of ‘Connie’ in ‘The Walking Dead’

Lauren Ridloff as Connie in 'The Walking Dead'.

Lauren Ridloff as Connie in ‘The Walking Dead.’
Source: Fan Fest

Lauren Ridloff stars as Connie in the AMC post-apocalyptic horror series The Walking Dead. The deaf girl is a member of Magna’s group and the sister of Kelly (Angel Theory).

Ridloff was introduced in the fifth episode of season 9 titled What Comes After. She was joined by Ryan Hurst, playing the role of Beta and Nadia Hilker, who was cast as Magna.

Watch: Connie and Kelly Scene ft. Daryl – The Walking Dead 10×1

The seasoned survivor, Connie, is extremely intelligent and independent despite her disability and uses her other heightened senses to her advantage. Pre-apocalypse, she used to be a journalist who exposed corruption and put several politicians in prison.

The actress has so far featured in 16 episodes in the series.

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