Lara Flynn Boyle (born March 24, 1970) is an American film and television actress best known for her performances as Laura Palmer's best friend Donna Hayward in Twin Peaks and Assistant District Attorney Helen Gamble in The Practice. She has had a number of movie roles from the late 80's through the present but has found the most recognition through her roles in television series.

Biography

Early life

Boyle was born in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Sally Boyle, a clerical worker, assistant, and manager.Lara Flynn Boyle Biography (1970-) Although she is of mostly Roman Catholic Irish descent, Boyle also has an Italian-American great-grandfather.Lara Flynn Boyle Online | TWOH Interview - Page 3 of 6 She is named after a character in Boris Pasternak's novel Dr. Zhivago.Jamie Diamond. "Tough Cookie, Snug Retreat: At Home with Lara Flynn Boyle", The New York Times, 27 July 2002, page F6 She was raised in Chicago, Illinois and Wisconsin. Boyle studied at and graduated from The Chicago Academy for the Arts.