Lauren Hutton, born Mary Laurence Hutton on November 17, 1943, in Charleston, South Carolina, is an American model and actress whose career has spanned more than five decades and helped redefine standards of beauty in the fashion industry. Raised in the southern United States, Hutton relocated to New York City in her early adulthood to pursue a modeling career. Her path was not immediately smooth, as she was initially dismissed by agents because of a distinctive gap between her front teeth. That very feature would later become her trademark and a symbol of her unconventional appeal.
Hutton's persistence paid off when she signed a modeling contract with Revlon in 1973, which at the time was the biggest contract in the history of the modeling industry. The deal made her a household name and cemented her status as a trailblazer who proved that beauty did not have to conform to a single mold. She went on to grace the cover of Vogue a record number of times and became one of the most recognizable faces of her era.
While building her modeling career, Hutton also pursued acting. She made her film debut in the sports drama Paper Lion in 1968, opposite Alan Alda. She went on to play central roles in The Gambler in 1974 alongside James Caan, and in American Gigolo in 1980 with Richard Gere. Her television work included appearances on the network series Paper Dolls, Falcon Crest, Central Park West, and Nip/Tuck, demonstrating her versatility across genres and formats.
Hutton has continued to model well into her seventies, appearing in numerous advertising campaigns for brands such as H&M, Lord and Taylor, and Alexander Wang. She performed on the runway for Tom Ford's spring 2012 collection and walked for Bottega Veneta at the 2016 New York Fashion Week, proving that her influence in fashion remains enduring. Her career is marked by a rare longevity and a willingness to challenge industry norms, making her an enduring figure in both fashion and entertainment.