scorecardHere's what the stars of 'Orange is the New Black' were doing before they were cast on the show
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Here's what the stars of 'Orange is the New Black' were doing before they were cast on the show

Taylor Schilling plays Piper Chapman, the first inmate we ever met at Litchfield.

Here's what the stars of 'Orange is the New Black' were doing before they were cast on the show

Schilling's most notable role before the show was as Christine Mendez in 2012's Best Picture winner "Argo."

Schilling

Laverne Cox plays Sophia Burset in a highly praised performance.

Laverne Cox plays Sophia Burset in a highly praised performance.

In Sophia's flashbacks that show her life before she transitioned, she is play by Cox's real life twin brother M Lamar.

Like many stars before her, Cox once appeared in an episode of "Law & Order."

Like many stars before her, Cox once appeared in an episode of "Law & Order."

Nick Sandow plays Joe Caputo, the perpetually bitter yet caring warden.

Nick Sandow plays Joe Caputo, the perpetually bitter yet caring warden.

Sandow starred as gangster Waxey Gordon in a few episodes of HBO's "Boardwalk Empire."

Sandow starred as gangster Waxey Gordon in a few episodes of HBO

Constance Shulman plays Yoga Jones. Her zen demeanor hides a dark past.

Constance Shulman plays Yoga Jones. Her zen demeanor hides a dark past.

You might not know her face, but you definitely know her voice. She played Patti Mayonnaise on "Doug."

You might not know her face, but you definitely know her voice. She played Patti Mayonnaise on "Doug."

Natasha Lyonne plays the troubled Nicky Nichols, who struggles to stay on the straight and narrow after years of drug addiction.

Natasha Lyonne plays the troubled Nicky Nichols, who struggles to stay on the straight and narrow after years of drug addiction.

Lyonne has been acting since age seven. She starred in "American Pie" and "Everyone Says I Love You." Her first big role was in "Slums of Beverly Hills."

Lyonne has been acting since age seven. She starred in "American Pie" and "Everyone Says I Love You." Her first big role was in "Slums of Beverly Hills."

The character of Nicky is borrows heavily from Lyonne's real life. She was arrested several times and suffered from alcohol and drug addiction, leading to open heart surgery. Lyonne is now sober.

Adrienne C. Moore gives one of the show's funniest performances as Cindy.

Adrienne C. Moore gives one of the show

Moore honed her comedy chops during two very brief appearances on "30 Rock."

Moore honed her comedy chops during two very brief appearances on "30 Rock."

Yael Stone plays Lorna Morello, whose optimism is sometimes frightening.

Yael Stone plays Lorna Morello, whose optimism is sometimes frightening.

Stone, originally from Sydney, starred in several Australian movies and TV shows, like the 1999 comedy "Me Myself I" when she was 14.

Stone, originally from Sydney, starred in several Australian movies and TV shows, like the 1999 comedy "Me Myself I" when she was 14.

Taryn Manning plays Pennsatucky. She started off as an antagonist in season one, but her character has since evolved.

Taryn Manning plays Pennsatucky. She started off as an antagonist in season one, but her character has since evolved.

Manning played Janeane in Eminem's explosive big screen debut "8 Mile."

Manning played Janeane in Eminem

The multi-talented Manning is also a prolific musician.

Lori Petty plays the highly paranoid Lolly Whitehill.

Lori Petty plays the highly paranoid Lolly Whitehill.

You might not have recognized her, but Petty was on the team in the 1993 classic "A League of Their Own."

You might not have recognized her, but Petty was on the team in the 1993 classic "A League of Their Own."

Laura Prepon plays Piper's on-again, off-again girlfriend Alex Vause.

Laura Prepon plays Piper

Most people still know her best as Donna from "That 70s Show."

Most people still know her best as Donna from "That 70s Show."

Uzo Aduba gives a revelatory performance as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren.

Uzo Aduba gives a revelatory performance as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren.

"Orange is the New Black" is Aduba's first major role. Prior to this, she had a small part as a nurse in an episode of "Blue Bloods" in 2012.

"Orange is the New Black" is Aduba

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