Laura Dern has been delivering phenomenal performances that have left audiences spellbound since the mid-1980s. Like a hat trick that astonished spectators, the actress kicked off her magical journey with some acclaimed hits—Mask, Smooth Talk, and David Lync’s Blue Velvet. The latter not only set the stage but also turned it into a stepping stone for a career steeped in praise.
Born to esteemed actors Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern, one might say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, yet it was her pure determination and fearlessness in stepping out of her comfort zone that truly shaped her journey.
Dern, now 57, added a feather to her cap by sharing a pivotal moment in her life on the podcast Where Everybody Knows Your Name. She fondly remembered the crossroads she faced at the age of 17, torn between prestigious UCLA and the daring leap to star in Blue Velvet.
Laura Dern: The UCLA Dropout Who Became a Hollywood Icon Thanks to Blue Velvet
From a young age, it was clear that acting was in Laura Dern’s blood. With parents like Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern, success seemed almost inevitable. But her journey to superstardom was not without its obstacles; it was her drive and determination that truly set her apart. When the opportunity arose to star in David Lynch’s twisted thriller Blue Velvet, the Jurassic Park actress knew she had to seize it—even if it meant sacrificing her college education.
Dern revealed the following in a recent Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast interview:
I was 17, so excited to get into UCLA. I was there for two days, and I had auditioned and got offered the role in Blue Velvet.
Despite her initial excitement, Dern faced resistance from the university when she requested a leave of absence. The actress, who was studying psychology and minoring in journalism at Los Angeles University, stated that she did not give up immediately.
Although she recalled telling them, “I will come back and, you know, double-up classes”, their answer remained “no”.
Determined to pursue her passion for acting, she stood her ground and ended up deciding to leave college behind. She made her case before the head of the film department.
I said, ‘I have this opportunity and he said, ‘Well, I’ll look at the script if you want to give me the script, but, you know, you’re not going to get a leave of absence. It’s not going to happen.’
The backlash from UCLA was swift and harsh. Dern was told that she would no longer be “welcome” at the university if she chose to pursue the film. But she refused to let fear or doubt hold her back. “Having read this script, that you would give up your college education for this is insane”, she recalled being told. It was a pivotal moment in her career, one that would shape her future in ways she never could have imagined.
Laura Dern’s Last Laugh as Blue Velvet Came to Achieve Cult Status
Blue Velvet catapulted Laura Dern to new heights of fame and glory, no doubt. The film, which follows a college student who uncovers dark secrets in his suburban town, received critical praise and earned director David Lynch an Oscar nomination for Best Director.
Naturally, it was an extremely “shocking script”, Dern said, before pointing out how ironic the whole thing is, considering UCLA’s current film program. The actress claimed that the neo-noir mystery thriller, which also stars Isabella Rossellini and Kyle MacLachlan, is now part of the school’s core curriculum. To quote Dern:
I will just end by saying after my two days, today, if you want to get a masters in film at that school, when you write a thesis there are three movies you are required to study. And you know what one of them is.
Blue Velvet received mixed reviews at first but went on to become a cult classic, and it currently holds a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Also, as the saying goes, “fortune favors the bold”, and in Laura Dern’s case, that boldness has led to a career filled with success, acclaim, and unforgettable performances.
Blue Velvet is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
