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Entertainment • Actress

Lizzy Caplan

Lizzy Caplan is an American actress known for roles in film and television, including Janis Ian in Mean Girls and Virginia Johnson in Masters of Sex.

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

Lizzy Caplan is an American actress known for roles in film and television, including Janis Ian in Mean Girls and Virginia Johnson in Masters of Sex. Born Elizabeth Anne Caplan in Los Angeles in 1982, she began acting in 1999 and later gained wider recognition through comedy, horror, and dramatic projects.

Early life

Lizzy Caplan was born Elizabeth Anne Caplan in Los Angeles, California, in 1982. Publicly available biographical sources describe her as an American actress who began pursuing acting at a young age.

Career

Caplan first appeared on screen in Freaks and Geeks in 1999. She later became widely known for Mean Girls and went on to work in both film and television, including Masters of Sex. Her film credits include Cloverfield, Hot Tub Time Machine, 127 Hours, Bachelorette, The Interview, Allied, and Cobweb. She also appeared in television series The Class, True Blood, Party Down, and Castle Rock.

Notable roles

Her best-known roles include Janis Ian in Mean Girls and Virginia Johnson in Masters of Sex. She is also associated with projects such as Cloverfield, Party Down, and Castle Rock.

Personal life

Sources state that Caplan married actor and producer Tom Riley in 2017. Some biographical sources also note that she has one child.

Key facts

  • Began acting career in 1999 with a role in Freaks and Geeks.
  • Film breakthrough with Mean Girls (2004) as Janis Ian.
  • Starred as Virginia Johnson in Masters of Sex (2013–2016).
  • Notable film credits include Cloverfield, Hot Tub Time Machine, and 127 Hours.
  • Also appeared in TV series True Blood, Party Down, and Castle Rock.
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Canadian context

Caplan is a well-known American film and television performer whose work has been widely distributed and watched in Canada, including major studio films and premium-cable television series.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Lizzy Caplan?
Lizzy Caplan is an American actress known for film and television roles such as Mean Girls and Masters of Sex.
What is Lizzy Caplan's birth name?
Her birth name is Elizabeth Anne Caplan.
When was Lizzy Caplan born?
She was born on June 30, 1982.
What is Lizzy Caplan best known for?
She is best known for playing Janis Ian in Mean Girls and Virginia Johnson in Masters of Sex.
When did Lizzy Caplan start acting?
She began acting in 1999, with an early role in Freaks and Geeks.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizzy_Caplan
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, years active, early career, and major film and television roles.
  2. Television Academyhttps://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/lizzy-caplan
    Supports: Birthplace, first on-screen role, and career summary including Masters of Sex.
  3. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm0135221/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, marriage to Tom Riley, and basic biography details.
  4. TV Guidehttps://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/lizzy-caplan/bio/3030057070/
    Supports: Birth name, birthplace, profession, and selected biographical notes.