# Laura Bell Bundy
**Laura Bell Bundy** (full name Laura Ashley Bell Bundy) is an American actress and country singer, born in 1981 in [Lexington, Kentucky](https://www.edgepedia.org/lexington-kentucky), who originated the roles of [Elle Woods](https://www.edgepedia.org/elle-woods) in Broadway's *Legally Blonde: The Musical* and Amber Von Tussle in *Hairspray*, and later built a Nashville recording career.[1](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/laura-bell-bundy-99960) • [2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/laura-bell-bundy-mn0001232396) She has worked across Broadway, television, film, and music since childhood, and in recent years has added directing, producing, and women's-rights activism to her work.[3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1981, Lexington, Kentucky, as Laura Ashley Bell Bundy[1](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/laura-bell-bundy-99960) |
| Stage debut | Age 9, in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall[3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio) |
| Signature role | Elle Woods, original star of *Legally Blonde* on Broadway (2007); Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical[1](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/laura-bell-bundy-99960) |
| Other originating roles | Tina Denmark in *Ruthless!* (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations); Amber Von Tussle in *Hairspray*[1](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/laura-bell-bundy-99960) |
| Country albums | *Longing for a Place Already Gone* (2007); *Achin' and Shakin'* (2010), which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and No. 28 on the Billboard 200; *Another Piece of Me* (Big Machine, 2015)[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/laura-bell-bundy-mn0001232396) • [4](https://www.kentucky.com/news/know-your-kentucky/article304213886.html) |
| Television | Marah Lewis on *Guiding Light* (1998–2001); recurring roles on *How I Met Your Mother*, *Hart of Dixie*, *Anger Management*, *Perfect Harmony*, and others[5](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/laura-bell-bundy) • [3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio) |
| Family | Married Thom Hinkle on June 3, 2017; one son, Huck, born 2019[6](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/31932/laura-bell-bundy) • [4](https://www.kentucky.com/news/know-your-kentucky/article304213886.html) |
## Early life and stage beginnings
Bundy grew up in Kentucky and entered performing as a young child. According to her own account, she won a pageant at age 5, appeared on the [Phil Donahue](https://www.edgepedia.org/phil-donahue) show in an episode about children's pageants, and was signed by the Ford Modeling Agency to a five-year contract that same day; her mother took her to her first Broadway show, *Starlight Express*, that night.[3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio) She became a "Summer Kid," traveling to New York each summer to model and act while training in singing and dance.[3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio)
At age 9 she made her stage debut in the Christmas Spectacular at [Radio City Music Hall](https://www.edgepedia.org/radio-city-music-hall).[3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio) As a child performer she appeared in the Broadway revival of *The Sound of Music* (1993–1995), playing Louisa von Trapp and understudying Brigitta.[1](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/laura-bell-bundy-99960) Her first lead role came [Off-Broadway](https://www.edgepedia.org/off-broadway) as Tina Denmark in *Ruthless!*, which brought Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations.[1](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/laura-bell-bundy-99960) She also began working in film as a child, with credits including *The Adventures of Huck Finn* (1993), *Life with Mikey* (1993), and *Jumanji* (1995), in which she played young Sarah Whittle.[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/laura-bell-bundy-mn0001232396) • [5](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/laura-bell-bundy)
## Broadway career
**Hairspray and Legally Blonde.** Bundy made her adult Broadway debut originating the role of Amber Von Tussle, the villainous daughter, in *Hairspray*, playing the part from July 2002 to July 2003.[1](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/laura-bell-bundy-99960) • [7](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/music/article/mamma-im-a-big-girl-now-show-houston-broadway-21239601.php) In 2007 she originated Elle Woods in the Broadway musical adaptation of *Legally Blonde*, playing the role from the April 2007 opening through July 2008 and earning Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle nominations.[1](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/laura-bell-bundy-99960) • [8](https://www.mastersofbroadway.com/Artists/laura/bell-bundy) She returned briefly to the role in June 2009.[1](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/laura-bell-bundy-99960) Earlier in *Wicked*'s Broadway run she had served as standby to [Kristin Chenoweth](https://www.edgepedia.org/kristin-chenoweth) as Glinda, and she later performed the role herself.[9](https://www.broadwayworld.com/boston/article/Interview-Laura-Bell-Bundy-Brings-SONGS-STORIES-to-Marilyn-Rodman-Performing-Arts-Center-20) • [3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio)
**Return to Broadway.** After roughly fifteen years away from Broadway, Bundy returned in 2023 in *The Cottage*, a comedy by Sandy Rustin directed by [Jason Alexander](https://www.edgepedia.org/jason-alexander), playing Sylvia at the Hayes Theater through October 29, 2023.[10](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/interviews/laura-bell-bundy-returns-to-broadway-after-15-years-in-the-cottage) • [1](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/laura-bell-bundy-99960) In 2025 she starred as Romy White in the Off-Broadway premiere of *Romy & Michele: The Musical* at Stage 42, beginning performances October 14, 2025, opposite Kara Lindsay as Michele Weinberger.[11](https://playbill.com/article/laura-bell-bundy-and-kara-lindsay-will-be-romy-michele-off-broadway) She has also toured in *Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now!*, a concert reunion with her original *Hairspray* castmates [Kerry Butler](https://www.edgepedia.org/kerry-butler) and [Marissa Jaret Winokur](https://www.edgepedia.org/marissa-jaret-winokur).[7](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/music/article/mamma-im-a-big-girl-now-show-houston-broadway-21239601.php)
## Country music
Bundy released her debut album, *Longing for a Place Already Gone*, in 2007, and after signing with Mercury Records Nashville released *Achin' and Shakin'* in 2010.[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/laura-bell-bundy-mn0001232396) The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and No. 28 on the Billboard 200, and her single "Giddy On Up" received a CMT Breakout Video nomination.[4](https://www.kentucky.com/news/know-your-kentucky/article304213886.html) • [3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio) She wrote hundreds of songs as an EMI/Sony songwriter, and her music has appeared in video games including *Just Dance 3*, *Just Dance Now*, and *Guitar Hero*.[3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio) Her Big Machine album *Another Piece of Me* was released in 2015, with all four of its music videos written, directed, and produced by Bundy.[3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio) She has toured in concert worldwide since 2010 and has toured with [Rascal Flatts](https://www.edgepedia.org/rascal-flatts), Blake Shelton, Dwight Yoakam, and [Miranda Lambert](https://www.edgepedia.org/miranda-lambert), among others.[3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio) • [12](https://www.stopbreastcancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-Gala-Program-and-Donors.pdf) Her later album *Women of Tomorrow*, co-written and co-produced with Shea Carter and Jeremy Adelman, addresses issues women face today and has been streamed more than 1 million times.[13](https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/laura-bell-bundy)
## Television, film, and producing
Bundy played Marah Lewis on the soap opera *Guiding Light* from 1998 to 2001, and her later television credits include recurring or guest roles on *How I Met Your Mother* (as Becky), *How I Met Your Father*, *Hart of Dixie*, *Anger Management*, *Perfect Harmony*, *American Gods*, *Good Behavior*, *Call Me Kat*, and *The Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder*, among more than 100 episodes of television overall.[5](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/laura-bell-bundy) • [3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio) In 2025 she was cast in a recurring role in *Not Suitable for Work*, a Hulu comedy created by [Mindy Kaling](https://www.edgepedia.org/mindy-kaling), playing the mother of series lead [Ella Hunt](https://www.edgepedia.org/ella-hunt); the series premiered on June 2, 2026.[14](https://playbill.com/article/a-cross-medium-legally-blonde-reunion-laura-bell-bundy-victor-garber-will-star-in-hulu-series-not-suitable-for-work) • [15](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0120410/news/)
Through her production company LBBTV she created the sketch comedy web series *Cooter County* and *Skits-O-Frenic*, and she has directed more than 30 sketches and music videos.[3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio) As a writer and composer she developed *Mashville* for Netflix and *Girl Time*, a women's history sketch comedy show, for Freeform.[3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio)
## Activism and personal life
Bundy directs part of her career toward women's rights. She created *Double Standards*, a sold-out 2018 concert at The Town Hall for the advancement of women featuring [Sara Bareilles](https://www.edgepedia.org/sara-bareilles) and [Rosie O'Donnell](https://www.edgepedia.org/rosie-odonnell), which became a charitable organization promoting the equal treatment, health, and empowerment of women.[3](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio) She launched the *Women of Tomorrow* podcast in 2020 and is a National Women's History Museum ambassador and founder of the Womxn Of Tomorrow Foundation.[4](https://www.kentucky.com/news/know-your-kentucky/article304213886.html) • [13](https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/laura-bell-bundy)
She married Thom Hinkle, a television and film producer, on June 3, 2017, and their son Huck was born in 2019.[6](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/31932/laura-bell-bundy) • [4](https://www.kentucky.com/news/know-your-kentucky/article304213886.html) Since 2021 the family has lived on a farm in New Jersey, where Bundy raises sheep and goats and has pursued farming alongside her performing career.[10](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/interviews/laura-bell-bundy-returns-to-broadway-after-15-years-in-the-cottage)
## References
1. [Laura Bell Bundy – Broadway Cast & Staff, IBDB](https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/laura-bell-bundy-99960)
2. [Laura Bell Bundy – Biography, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/laura-bell-bundy-mn0001232396)
3. [Bio – Laura Bell Bundy, official website](https://www.laurabellbundy.com/bio)
4. [From Lexington to Hollywood, Broadway & the Grand Old Opry, Lexington Herald Leader](https://www.kentucky.com/news/know-your-kentucky/article304213886.html)
5. [Laura Bell Bundy On Stage, New York Theatre Guide](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/laura-bell-bundy)
6. [Laura Bell Bundy, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/31932/laura-bell-bundy)
7. ['Hairspray' stars bring Broadway nostalgia to Houston audiences, Houston Chronicle](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/music/article/mamma-im-a-big-girl-now-show-houston-broadway-21239601.php)
8. [Laura Bell Bundy, Masters of Broadway](https://www.mastersofbroadway.com/Artists/laura/bell-bundy)
9. [Interview: Laura Bell Bundy Brings SONGS & STORIES to Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center, BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/boston/article/Interview-Laura-Bell-Bundy-Brings-SONGS-STORIES-to-Marilyn-Rodman-Performing-Arts-Center-20)
10. [Laura Bell Bundy returns to Broadway after 15 years in 'The Cottage', New York Theatre Guide](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/interviews/laura-bell-bundy-returns-to-broadway-after-15-years-in-the-cottage)
11. [Laura Bell Bundy and Kara Lindsay Will Be Romy & Michele Off-Broadway, Playbill](https://playbill.com/article/laura-bell-bundy-and-kara-lindsay-will-be-romy-michele-off-broadway)
12. [Laura Bell Bundy, 2025 Gala Program, National Breast Cancer Coalition](https://www.stopbreastcancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-Gala-Program-and-Donors.pdf)
13. [NWHM Ambassador: Laura Bell Bundy, National Women's History Museum](https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/laura-bell-bundy)
14. [A Cross-Medium Legally Blonde Reunion? Laura Bell Bundy, Victor Garber Will Star in Hulu Series Not Suitable for Work, Playbill](https://playbill.com/article/a-cross-medium-legally-blonde-reunion-laura-bell-bundy-victor-garber-will-star-in-hulu-series-not-suitable-for-work)
15. [Laura Bell Bundy - News, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0120410/news/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 2000s onward › Surnames Bu to Ce*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license