Serious Bio

Just past being a toddler Lisa was forced to learn classic comedy routines, develop funny walks, and create a minimum of a half-dozen signature silly voices. Later in life, for a homework assignment, she wrote a paper about understanding the essential relationship between the Setup and the Payoff (punchline) when telling a joke. Oddly, that was for her Physical Education class. Once, in the sixth grade, Lisa was suspended for three days because she was ratted on for discussing basic marketing strategies and lighting up a cigar during lunch.

At age 20, Lisa ran away from comedy, as well as Los Angeles. She ended up in Hielbronn, Germany, performing musicals for the German State Theater, dancing her way up and down the Danube River. It was a supremely happy time for her. SIGH! But all the greasepaint, bright lights, and curtain calls still didn’t satisfy her. Eventually Lisa landed back in Hollywood.

Still reluctant to exploit her God-given natural skills in advertising, Lisa became a stand-up comedian and a paid regular at The Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip. She quickly parlayed that notoriety to become First Runner-up in the KFI-AM “Yappy Daze” Comedy Contest, winning a lifetime supply of fat-free wieners and other luncheon meats. That company has since gone out of business.

Next, Lisa made the leap into television and film. She guest-starred in sitcoms and was a featured lead in many TV commercials. In 2009, she wrote and starred in several award-winning indie films with the likes of Adam McKay and Shira Piven.

While she is leaving her own unique and indelible mark on Hollywood, Lisa has also been writing, producing, and voicing award-winning radio spots and podcasts. Along the way, she has gotten to work alongside her greatest teacher and mentor, her father, Dick Orkin.