Written by: Oliver Wren

Taylor Schilling: The Face of Orange is the New Black

Taylor Schilling is an American actress known for her portrayal of Piper Chapman in the Netflix original comedy-drama series Orange is the New Black (2013-2019), earning her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and two Golden Globe Award nominations.

Career Highlights

Schilling made her film debut in the 2007 drama Dark Matter, followed by a starring role as Nurse Veronica Flanagan Callahan in the short-lived NBC medical drama Mercy (2009-2010). Her notable film appearances include Atlas Shrugged Part I (2011), the romantic drama The Lucky One (2012), the comedy Take Me (2017), and the science-fiction thriller The Titan (2018).

Early Life and Education

Schilling was born on July 27, 1984, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Patricia (née Miller), an MIT administrator, and Robert J. Schilling, a former prosecutor. She grew up in West Roxbury and Wayland, dividing her time between her divorced parents. A fan of the NBC medical drama ER, she began acting at a young age and became active in her middle school's theater program, appearing in their production of Fiddler on the Roof.

After graduating from Wayland High School in 2002, Schilling attended Fordham University's campus at Lincoln Center, where she continued to take part in stage productions while earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2006. She entered the graduate acting program at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts but left after her second year. During this time, she supported herself by working as a nanny for a Manhattan-based family.

Awards and Nominations

• Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (2014)
• Two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy and Best Actress – Television Series Drama (2014)
• Emerson College Playwrights Festival Outstanding Performance Award

Influence on Modern Society

Schilling's portrayal of Piper Chapman in Orange is the New Black helped bring attention to issues related to mass incarceration, women's rights, and the LGBTQ+ community. The show's success can be attributed, in part, to Schilling's nuanced performance, which humanized the complexities of her character's experiences.

Personal Milestones and Key Life Events

Schilling has kept her personal life private, but in 2019, she revealed that she had been in a romantic relationship with visual artist Emily Ritz for several years. The couple has been vocal about their support for LGBTQ+ rights and has used their platform to raise awareness about social justice issues.

Philosophical Contributions and Beliefs

Schilling has spoken out about the importance of empathy and compassion in her acting work, emphasizing the need to understand and respect the experiences of others. Her portrayal of complex, three-dimensional characters has contributed to a greater understanding of the human condition and has inspired audiences to engage in meaningful conversations about social justice.