Natasha Lyonne has had a career as a professional actress since the late 1980s, starting as a child in TV shows such as Pee-wee’s Playhouse and later appearing in various films as a teenager and young adult, including Everyone Says I Love You, Slums of Beverly Hills, and the American Pie series. Throughout her career, she has portrayed several lesbian and bisexual characters, sparking curiosity about her own sexual orientation. However, we can clarify that Natasha Lyonne is not gay. Let’s explore her romantic life.
Natasha Lyonne has portrayed an array of gay characters throughout her career, including her role as the tough and sarcastic inmate Nicky Nichols in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Other notable gay characters in her repertoire include Megan in the 1999 cult film But I’m a Cheerleader and Jeanne in the 2000 TV movie If These Walls Could Talk 2. However, despite her portrayal of multiple gay roles on screen, Lyonne has clarified that she is not gay in her personal life, although she has acknowledged having engaged in experimentation.
Recommended
“Let me clarify, when I say I’m not gay, it doesn’t mean I haven’t explored relationships with women,” she explained during a 2016 interview with the New York Times. “Certainly, I have. I’m not naive.”
The star of Russian Doll further expressed, “I never wish to imply that I’m trying to claim an experience that’s not mine. However, it appears that a substantial part of the female experience revolves around men. When I portray a lesbian character, it means she’s on her own unique journey. I have an appreciation for men, and I’m open to exploring various relationships. But I don’t want my entire life, especially my creative journey, to perpetually revolve around merely being ‘the girl.’ It’s something I’d rather not have.”
Natasha Lyonne’s Dating History
Edward Furlong
Natasha Lyonne had a relationship with Edward Furlong, known for his role in Terminator 2, during the late 1990s. They met while working on the 1999 film Detroit Rock City. She openly expressed her strong feelings for him during the movie’s production, and they were a couple for a considerable period, as she revealed in a 2014 interview for Vanity Fair, which was conducted by her close friend, Chloë Sevigny.
Regrettably, both actors became entangled in substance abuse issues, leading to their separation in 2001. Presently, Natasha Lyonne has maintained her sobriety for over ten years.
Adam Goldberg
Natasha Lyonne was in a relationship with Adam Goldberg, known for his role in Saving Private Ryan, during the early 2000s. While some sources suggest their relationship lasted for three years, from 2001 to 2004, Lyonne mentioned in an interview with HuffPost that they dated for approximately two years. The exact reason for their separation remains undisclosed. However, during a 2015 joint interview with Lyonne for HuffPost, actress Judy Greer mentioned that Goldberg was profoundly affected by the breakup, referring to a movie they worked on together in 2003.
Fred Armisen
The initial connection between Natasha Lyonne and comedian Fred Armisen surfaced in 2014 when Armisen posted a photo of Lyonne on his Instagram with the caption, “The beautiful and brilliant Natasha Lyonne.” Subsequently, they were frequently seen together at various prominent events, including the Emmy Awards, which made it evident that they were in a relationship.
As reported in a Glamour cover story from 2019, Fred Armisen and Natasha Lyonne were introduced to each other by actress and Saturday Night Live alum Maya Rudolph. They maintained their relationship for several years, and it was extensively covered in the media. Although they never officially confirmed it, there is speculation that the couple may have separated during the pandemic. There have been no public appearances together since the 2020 Golden Globe Awards, and in 2021, The Daily Mail published images of Lyonne holding hands with a different individual, not Armisen, at an event.
ncG1vNJzZmiZppq7trHGoWWcp51kv6bCyJ6urGeelsGiv8eaZKWxn6O7pnnSnq%2BumZyewbp7