Elizabeth Anne “Lizzy” Caplan, June 30, 1982 (age 43 years), in Los Angeles, California, United States. Lizzy Caplan is an American actress known for Masters of Sex, Mean Girls, and Cloverfield.
She grew up in a Reform Jewish household and celebrated her Bat Mitzvah. She also attended Jewish summer camps. These experiences helped her stay connected to her cultural roots.
Lizzy Caplan’s father, Harvey Caplan, is a senior partner at a law firm, and her mother, Barbara Caplan, is an interior designer. They supported her artistic interests from an early age. During her teenage years, Lizzy struggled with anorexia, an eating disorder, which she has successfully overcome with time and support.
Lizzy Caplan attended Alexander Hamilton High School, where she first focused on music and played the piano. Later, she discovered her passion for drama and began acting in school plays, which sparked her journey into acting.
Siblings
Lizzy is the youngest of three children. She has an older brother, Benjamin “Ben” Caplan, and an older sister, Julie Caplan. Her mother died of cancer when she was 13 years old. Her uncle was publicist Howard Bragman.
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Despite her public profile, information about her siblings remains limited, as both Benjamin and Julie maintain private lives away from the spotlight.
Career
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Caplan’s onscreen debut was in the TV movie From Where I Sit (2000), followed by guest roles in Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000), Smallville, and The Pitts.
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She gained widespread recognition as Janis Ian in Mean Girls (2004), a role that immediately elevated her profile.
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Caplan continued building her filmography with roles in Cloverfield (2008), Hot Tub Time Machine (2010), 127 Hours (2010), and Now You See Me 2 (2016).
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She starred in the acclaimed cult series Party Down (2009–10), earning recognition in the comedy genre.
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From 2013 to 2016, Caplan portrayed human sexuality pioneer Virginia Johnson on Masters of Sex, earning multiple award nominations, including an Emmy and Critics’ Choice nod.
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Her key TV roles include Castle Rock (Annie Wilkes), Fleishman Is in Trouble (2022), and Fatal Attraction (2023), showcasing her as psychologically complex characters.
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In Zero Day (Netflix, 2025), Caplan stars as Alexandra Mullen, a complex U.S. congresswoman facing a major cyberattack with her father, former President George Mullen.
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Caplan has spoken about her struggles after Mean Girls, facing a year of few roles while avoiding typecasting. She later embraced complex characters that suited her skills.
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Accolades
Lizzy Caplan earned a 2014 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress for her role as Virginia E. Johnson in Masters of Sex. She also received Satellite and Critics’ Choice Award nominations for the same role.
Her performance in Cloverfield earned her a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 2007. This recognized her memorable role in the popular monster horror film.
In 2010, Caplan earned a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice Movie Actress: Comedy for Hot Tub Time Machine. Later, in 2016, she received another Teen Choice nomination for Choice Summer Movie Star: Female for her role in Now You See Me 2.
Caplan’s portrayal of Libby Epstein in Fleishman Is in Trouble earned her another Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress. Additionally, Variety named her one of their “10 Actors to Watch” in 2006, marking her rising prominence in the industry. Moreover, these achievements highlight her growing influence and recognition as a talented actress.