Lauren Ridloff

Actress & Former Teacher

B.A., English - Creative Writing (2001)

Ridloff portrays Makkari, Marvel’s first-ever Deaf superhero—opposite Angelina Jolie, Kumail Nanjani, and Selma Hayek—in Eternals.
Ridloff received a 2020 BAFTA Breakthrough award, which recognizes the most promising stars of film, games, and television.
As an American Sign Language tutor in 2016 for the revival of the classic Broadway play "Children of a Lesser God", it became clear to the director and producers she was the perfect choice for the lead. She received rave reviews and a Tony nomination for her performances.
Ridloff’s first onscreen role was in Todd Haynes’ Wonderstruck, playing a hearing woman in a silent film. She went on to become a series regular on the hugely popular AMC series "The Walking Dead."
Before beginning her acting career in 2017, Ridloff was a kindergarten teacher in Brooklyn, New York for ten years and was selected as Miss Deaf America in 2000.

Notable CSU Alumni in entertainment & media