Lisa Edelstein was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She began her professional acting career while studying theater at N.Y.U.

Lisa enjoys writing, composing music and painting. Lisa authored, composed and performed the musical, "Positive Me," at Ellen Stuart's La Mama in Manhattan, one of the earliest AIDS-related theater productions.

Lisa has had many guest appearances. Among the more memorable are her portrayal of a transsexual on "Ally McBeal" in 1997, a sex-obsessed artist on "Frasier" in 1993, and a high-priced call girl on "The West Wing" in 1999.

Lisa is a vegan and will not eat meat or wear animal products. She donates time to the animal sanctuary Best Friends, and has been known to practice Ashtanga yoga.