Laura Cayouette

Laura Cayouette is an American actress, writer, producer, and director with a career spanning more than two decades and over 60 film and television appearances. Before entering the entertainment industry, Cayouette worked as a nightclub DJ, model, English professor, dress shop manager, and ticket taker at Universal City Walk Hollywood. She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, later continuing her training at the Beverly Hills Playhouse and with Ivana Chubbuck in Los Angeles. Cayouette holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a master’s degree in creative writing and English literature from the University of South Alabama. She was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni Award recipient at the University of South Alabama, with her name added to the university’s clock tower.

Cayouette is best known for her role as Lara Lee Candie-Fitzwilly in Quentin Tarantino’s "Django Unchained." Her acting debut was in "The Evening Star." She has collaborated with Tarantino on four projects, including "Kill Bill, Vol. 2," "Daltry Calhoun," and "Hell Ride." Her film credits include "Now You See Me," "Kill Bill," and "Enemy of the State." On television, she has appeared in "True Detective," "Friends," and held a recurring role on "Queen Sugar."

As a director, Cayouette led Joanna Cassidy and Danica McKellar in the short film "Intermission" and directed Richard Dreyfuss and Mircea Monroe in "Lone Star Trixie." Her work also includes roles in "The Dirty South" and "Bone Face." Cayouette was the first person to wear a Project Runway dress to the Oscars, accompanied by designer Austin Scarlett.

Cayouette is the author of seven books, including "Know Small Parts: An Actor’s Guide to Turning Minutes into Moments and Moments into a Career," which features a foreword by Richard Dreyfuss. She also wrote the coming-of-age novel "Lemonade Farm" and the Charlotte Reade Mysteries series, set in New Orleans and highlighting cultural events such as Jazz Fest, Southern Decadence, and Mardi Gras Indians’ Super Sunday. "Know Small Parts" has been adopted as a textbook for an acting class at the University of New Orleans.

Cayouette has taught acting and directing at various universities, including designing a graduate-level course for directors on collaborating with actors. She has guest taught or spoken at institutions such as the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York Film Academy, L.A. Film School, and Brian Timoney Actors’ Studio in London. Her advocacy includes addressing social issues and industry power dynamics, notably through discussions on the #MeToo movement. Cayouette’s work in film, television, literature, and education reflects her broad expertise in the entertainment industry and her commitment to advancing the craft of acting and storytelling.