<Tr> <Th> Notable work </Th> <Td> "Big Boo" in Orange Is the New Black </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Website </Th> <Td> www.leadelaria.com </Td> </Tr> <P> Lea DeLaria (born May 23, 1958) is an American comedian, actress, and jazz musician . DeLaria is credited with being the first openly gay comic to appear on a late - night talk show with her 1993 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show . She is best known for her portrayal of inmate Carrie "Big Boo" Black on Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black . </P> <P> DeLaria was born in Belleville, Illinois, the daughter of Jerry Jean (née Cox), a homemaker, and Robert George DeLaria, a jazz pianist and social worker . Her paternal grandparents were Italian . She attended kindergarten through eighth grade at St. Mary's Elementary School in Belleville, and has referenced her Catholic upbringing in her performances . </P>

Actress that plays boo on orange is the new black