Elizabeth Berkley, 53, made a very rare public appearance with her 13-year-old son, Sky Cole Lauren, in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The actress, best known for her role as Jessie Spano on the hit 1990s sitcom Saved by the Bell, was spotted walking through the parking lot of the Erewhon organic grocery store with her only child.
Mother-Son Outing
Sky, whose father is Greg Lauren of the Ralph Lauren fashion empire, wore a Ralph Lauren T-shirt, likely a family freebie. Both mother and son were dressed in black and wore sneakers as they strolled side by side after buying groceries. Berkley looked like a proud mom during the outing.
Career Highlights and Challenges
Berkley first captured hearts as the smart and outspoken Jessie Spano on Saved by the Bell, a role she later reprised and executive produced for the Peacock reboot. She proved her range with a daring turn in the cult classic Showgirls (1995), playing a Las Vegas stripper alongside Gina Gershon. Although the film was widely panned at the time, it has since become a cult favorite.
Reflecting on the backlash, Berkley told People two years ago: 'Of course it was disappointing that it didn't do well, but there was so much cruelty around it. I was bullied. And I didn't understand why I was being blamed. The job as an actor is to fulfill the vision of the director. And I did everything I was supposed to do.' She noted that 'no one associated with the film spoke up on my behalf to protect me. I was left out in the cold and I was a pariah in the industry I had worked so hard for.'
In a later interview, she revealed that after taking the daring part, she was 'locked out' of auditions and struggled to find work for years, a painful reminder of how brutal Hollywood can be. 'I wasn't looking for shock value,' she said. 'That wasn't my intention.'
Resilience and Advocacy
Beyond Showgirls, Berkley bounced back with a string of acclaimed roles in films such as The First Wives Club (1996) and Any Given Sunday (1999). She also proved her resilience on television with guest spots on NYPD Blue, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The L Word, and later reality competition Dancing With the Stars.
Off-screen, Berkley has channeled her voice into advocacy and mentorship. Her advice platform Ask Elizabeth evolved into a book and lecture series devoted to building confidence in teen girls, a mission she calls deeply personal and meaningful. 'My mission is to give girls the tools to be able to blossom into their best selves,' she has said.
Personal Life
Berkley married Greg Lauren in November 2003 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, after dating for three years. She wore a custom-made gown designed by Greg's uncle, Ralph Lauren. The couple has one son, Sky Cole Lauren, born in 2011.
