If you watched the recent Netflix series Russian Doll, you know that actress Natasha Lyonne has had more than a few close-calls in her life. The 46-year-old was arrested for a DUI, then had to deal with drug addiction, and in 2012 she had major heart surgery that could have killed her if left untreated.
She’s been able to bounce back from these challenges and is now on the verge of a big career comeback. She’s currently working on a number of films, including the Kristen Wiig comedy Girl Most Likely and has guest spots on shows like Weeds and Law & Order: SVU.
Natasha Lyonne is a natural performer who has a strong voice and an ability to emote. Her talent is what allowed her to land the role of Nicky Nichols on Orange Is The New Black, and she also directs.

However, it was not always so smooth sailing for the star of American Pie and her acting career took a major hit after she struggled with drug abuse. Her drugs caused her to develop a number of medical issues, including hepatitis C, a heart infection and a collapsed lung.
Her drug use was especially damaging to her health because she often abused heroin, which is a highly addictive substance that is linked to severe health complications. In 2005, Lyonne had to undergo a major hospital stay after she was admitted to Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan under a false name because of the serious health problems she was facing.
During the hospital stay, she was treated for endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart valves. The infection was causing damage to her heart and could have killed her if it were not treated.
Now that she’s on the road to recovery, she wants to keep a measure of sanity and engage in life as much as possible. This is probably the first time she’s been able to face life head-on with full participation, and she hopes to learn from this experience.
It’s a lesson that isn’t easy to learn, but it is one that will help her in the long run. It’s also a lesson that she hopes to share with other women who are struggling with addiction or other life-threatening conditions.

In addition to her acting skills, Lyonne is also a talented writer and director, with her work being featured in various films and television shows. Her innate talent and her willingness to share her story are both important elements that will help people cope with their own challenges.
She’s been through a lot, but it’s clear that she has many more chapters in her book to write. She’s determined to live her best life and be a strong and independent woman.
As she reflects on her life, Lyonne has realized that she has survived dying more times than she can count. She is learning to take the lessons from her past and use them to build a stronger foundation for herself, her family and her future.