Entertainment • Actress

Ariana Richards

Ariana Richards is an American actress and painter best known for playing Lex Murphy in the 1993 film *Jurassic Park*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ariana Richards is an American actress and painter best known for playing Lex Murphy in the 1993 film *Jurassic Park*. She began acting as a child, won several Young Artist Awards, and later focused primarily on painting. She was born in Healdsburg, California, in 1979.

Early life

Ariana Clarice Richards was born on September 11, 1979, in Healdsburg, California, in the United States. Publicly available biographical sources identify her as American and note that she has a sister, Bethany Richards.

Acting career

Richards began acting as a child and appeared in television projects and films in the late 1980s and 1990s. Her most prominent role was Lex Murphy in *Jurassic Park* (1993), which brought her broad recognition.

Art career

Later sources describe Richards as focusing primarily on painting rather than acting. IMDb and other listings identify her as a professional artist, and some biographies note that she returned to screen work only briefly after her earlier retirement from acting.

Recognition and legacy

Richards received several Young Artist Awards for her performances as a child actor. She remains closely associated with *Jurassic Park* in entertainment reference sources and fan databases.

Key facts

Ariana Richards is best known for her role as Lex Murphy in *Jurassic Park*.
She began her screen career as a child and appeared in film and television during the late 1980s and 1990s.
Sources describe her as both an actress and a painter, with painting becoming her primary focus later in life.
She won multiple Young Artist Awards for her early acting work.
Her credited screen work includes roles in *Prancer*, *Tremors*, and *The Lost World: Jurassic Park*.

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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Richards mainly through the global popularity of *Jurassic Park*, which was widely distributed and remains a major reference point in popular cinema in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ariana Richards?

She is an American actress and painter best known for playing Lex Murphy in *Jurassic Park*.

What is Ariana Richards' full name?

Her full name is Ariana Clarice Richards.

When and where was Ariana Richards born?

She was born on September 11, 1979, in Healdsburg, California, United States.

What is Ariana Richards known for?

She is best known for her role as Lex Murphy in *Jurassic Park* and for her later focus on painting.

Did Ariana Richards win any awards?

Sources state that she won several Young Artist Awards for her work as a child actress.

Is Ariana Richards still acting?

Her activity is listed as 1987–2001 and 2013–present, but later sources indicate that painting has been her primary focus.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariana_Richards
Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, occupations, years active, and best-known role as Lex Murphy.
IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000611/
Supports: Occupation, birth details, sister, and description as actress, artist, and producer.
Turner Classic Movies — https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/161166%7C0/Ariana-Richards
Supports: Early acting career and identification of notable roles including *Jurassic Park*, *Prancer*, and *Tremors*.
TMDb — https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4788-ariana-richards?language=en-US
Supports: Birth details, identity as an award-winning painter and actress, and focus on art career.
TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/ariana-richards/bio/3030432030/
Supports: Birth name, birthplace, and profession as actress.
Infoplease — https://www.infoplease.com/biographies/art-entertainment/ariana-richards
Supports: Career overview including early TV work and film roles in *Jurassic Park* and *The Lost World: Jurassic Park*.