Lark Voorhies Ethnicity, Race & Heritage: Full Background Explained

Quick answer: Lark Voorhies is African American — she was born to Black American parents and is of African American heritage on both sides of her family. She is best known for playing Lisa Turtle on the beloved sitcom Saved by the Bell (1989–1993), making her one of the most recognizable Black actresses of the early 1990s.

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Is Lark Voorhies Mixed Race? Is She Biracial?

No — Lark Voorhies is not mixed race and is not biracial. Both of her parents are Black Americans of African American heritage. She is a Black American actress whose striking appearance and lighter complexion have occasionally prompted curiosity about her background, but she is fully African American.

Lark Voorhies grew up in Pasadena, California, after her family moved from Nashville, Tennessee. She began acting in commercials at a young age before landing her breakthrough role as the fashion-obsessed Lisa Turtle on Saved by the Bell.

So to answer the most-searched questions directly: Lark Voorhies's race is Black/African American. Her background is African American on both sides. She is not biracial or mixed race — she is a Black American actress who became a cultural icon for a generation of 1990s television viewers.

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What Is Lark Voorhies's Ethnicity?

Lark Voorhies's ethnicity is African American. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 25, 1974, and raised in Pasadena, California, Lark grew up in the Sun Belt's Black American community before breaking into Hollywood as a teenager.

Her breakthrough came when she was cast as Lisa Turtle on Saved by the Bell — a role that made her a household name. Lisa Turtle was a wealthy, fashion-conscious, funny character, and Voorhies brought warmth and charisma to a role that gave Black viewers meaningful representation in a mainstream Saturday morning sitcom.

Beyond Saved by the Bell, Lark has appeared in numerous film and television projects, including The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In recent years, she briefly reprised her role as Lisa Turtle in the 2020 Saved by the Bell reboot on Peacock.

Lark Voorhies has also spoken publicly about her mental health challenges, including a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, demonstrating courage and vulnerability in discussing mental health in the African American community.

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Father's Side: African American Heritage

Wayne Voorhies, Lark's father, is a Black American. He raised Lark alongside her mother Tricia in the Nashville and later Pasadena, California, communities. Specific genealogical details about the Voorhies paternal line have not been widely documented in public sources, but Lark's family is rooted in African American communities of the American South and West Coast.

The Voorhies surname, while of Dutch origin (meaning "from the Hies"), was commonly adopted by Black Americans in the post-slavery era, as formerly enslaved people often took on the surnames of their enslavers or chose surnames from various European traditions.

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Mother's Side: African American Heritage

Tricia, Lark's mother, is a Black American woman who was actively involved in supporting Lark's early entertainment career. After the family relocated from Nashville to Pasadena, California, Tricia supported Lark's path into acting and has remained a significant presence in her life.

Lark's mother has been a visible advocate for her daughter, including speaking to media about Lark's health challenges and defending her daughter against public mischaracterizations. Tricia's maternal dedication has been a constant thread in Lark's personal narrative.

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Grandparents: A Complete Picture

Paternal Grandfather (Voorhies): Of African American descent. Specific genealogical details not publicly documented.

Paternal Grandmother (Voorhies): Of African American descent. Specific details not publicly documented.

Maternal Grandfather: Of African American descent. Not publicly documented.

Maternal Grandmother: Of African American descent. Not publicly documented.

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Nationality vs. Ethnicity

Lark Voorhies is American by nationality — born in Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in Pasadena, California. She is part of the tradition of Black American performers who found success in the Los Angeles entertainment industry.

Her career has spanned multiple decades, and her role as Lisa Turtle on Saved by the Bell remains her most enduring contribution to American popular culture. The show ran from 1989 to 1993 and introduced her to millions of viewers across the United States and internationally.

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Marriages & Personal Life

Lark Voorhies has been married three times:

Andy Prince (married 1996, divorced 1997) — a brief first marriage that ended after about a year.

Miguel Coleman (married 2010, divorced 2011) — her second marriage, which also ended within a year.

Jimmy Green (married November 2014) — Lark married music producer Jimmy Green in a ceremony in Las Vegas. Details of the current status of this marriage have not been widely reported in recent years.

Lark has no publicly known children.

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Lark Voorhies in Her Own Words

Lark Voorhies has spoken candidly about her experiences, her mental health, and her career in various interviews, including her notable appearance on The Dr. Oz Show:

"I have a fantastic life. I love my husband, I love my family. We have created this beautiful world together. I'm alive. I'm here." — Lark Voorhies, Dr. Oz Show interview

She has also spoken about her diagnosis and what it means to live publicly as a Black woman dealing with mental health challenges:

"I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I wasn't initially accepting of it." — Lark Voorhies, various interviews

▶ Watch on YouTube →

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Is Lark Voorhies Alive?

Yes, Lark Voorhies is alive. Born on March 25, 1974, she is currently 52 years old (as of 2026). She remains active in the entertainment industry and continues to be celebrated for her iconic role as Lisa Turtle on Saved by the Bell. She briefly returned to the role in the 2020 Peacock reboot of Saved by the Bell and has continued to make public appearances and give interviews.

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Visual Family Tree

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Sources

Genealogy & Ethnicity Research

• Wikipedia: Lark Voorhies — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lark_Voorhies
• EthniCelebs.com: Lark Voorhies — https://ethnicelebs.com/lark-voorhies

Biography & Career

• IMDB: Lark Voorhies — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005537/
• The Famous People: Lark Voorhies Biography — https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/lark