The Bayside High To Harvard Shift: Unpacking Lark Voorhies' Cult Classic Role In How High

For fans of '90s sitcoms and early 2000s stoner comedies, the appearance of Lark Voorhies in the 2001 film How High remains a fascinating career pivot. As of December 2025, Voorhies, forever known globally as the fashionable Lisa Turtle from *Saved by the Bell*, continues to draw curiosity for her role as Lauren, a stark departure from her squeaky-clean Bayside High persona. This article dives deep into her character's significance in the cult classic, her complete biography, and the latest updates on her life and career, showcasing her versatile, albeit often overlooked, acting trajectory.

The query "Lark Voorhies How High" speaks to a moment in cinematic history when the actress consciously shed her teen idol image to take on a more mature, yet still comedic, role alongside hip-hop legends Method Man and Redman. Her performance is a key piece of the movie's satirical take on the elite university setting, proving that her star power extended well beyond the halls of Bayside.

Lark Voorhies: Full Biography and Career Milestones

Lark Voorhies, born Lark Holloway, is an American actress, singer, and model whose career has spanned several decades, moving from a child star to an enduring pop culture icon. Her life and professional journey have been marked by significant highs, including her breakthrough role, and a recent return to the spotlight.

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• Full Name: Lark Holloway
• Date of Birth: March 25, 1974
• Place of Birth: Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
• Breakthrough Role: Lisa Turtle on *Good Morning, Miss Bliss* (1987–1989), which evolved into *Saved by the Bell* (1989–1993).
• Notable TV Appearances: *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air*, *Family Matters*, *Days of Our Lives* (where she played Wendy Reardon), and *In the House*.
• Film Roles: *How High* (2001), *The Last Place on Earth* (2002), *Robot Chicken* (voice role).
• Recent Work: Reprised her role as Lisa Turtle in the Peacock revival of *Saved by the Bell* (2020), which was a highly anticipated return for fans.
• Personal Life: Voorhies has been open in recent years about her struggles with mental health, specifically a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which she discussed in a 2020 interview on *The Dr. Oz Show*. She has maintained a relatively private life outside of her acting commitments.

Unpacking the Role of Lauren in the 2001 Stoner Comedy

For many viewers, seeing Lark Voorhies in the 2001 stoner comedy *How High* was a delightful surprise. The film, which stars Method Man as Silas P. Silas and Redman as Jamal King—two stoners who get into Harvard through supernatural means—is a sharp, often absurdist satire of the American education system and the clash of cultures.

Voorhies plays the character Lauren, a preppy, upper-class student at the prestigious university. Lauren is introduced as the girlfriend of Bart (played by Chris Elwood), the arrogant and entitled captain of the rowing team. Her character serves a crucial function in the film’s narrative, acting as a foil to the new, chaotic energy brought by Silas and Jamal, while also being the object of Silas's affection, creating a minor romantic subplot.

Lauren is initially portrayed as a classic 'good girl'—a well-dressed, seemingly uptight student who is part of the established, privileged social hierarchy at Harvard. This portrayal directly contrasts with the vibrant, street-smart energy of Silas and Jamal, making the interaction between Silas and Lauren a source of comedy and mild tension. The chemistry between the two actors, though brief, highlighted the cultural divide the film sought to explore.

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The Iconic "Liberty Bong Scene" and Character Significance

The most memorable moment for Voorhies' character, Lauren, is undoubtedly the now-iconic "Liberty Bong Scene." In this sequence, Silas is attempting to pass a history exam by communicating with the ghost of Benjamin Franklin, whose ashes were inadvertently used to fertilize the special strain of cannabis that gave Silas and Jamal their intellectual edge.

Lauren's involvement is pivotal. She is the one who ultimately reveals the truth about a seemingly innocuous historical artifact—a glass bong disguised as a replica of the Liberty Bell—that is essential to the plot. This unexpected revelation from the seemingly straight-laced Lauren not only pushes the plot forward but also provides a hilarious payoff to the film’s central premise.

Her role, though supporting, is a key entity in the film's success. It allowed Voorhies to showcase her ability to play a character far removed from the high school drama of Bayside. The shift from the fashionable, gossipy Lisa Turtle to the preppy, slightly naive Lauren demonstrated her range and willingness to embrace different genres, especially the burgeoning stoner comedy genre of the early 2000s. The film, directed by Jesse Dylan, also featured other notable actors like Obba Babatundé (Dean Carl Cain) and Mike Epps (Baby Powder), further cementing its cult status.

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Lark Voorhies: Career Trajectory and Recent Comeback

Following her time on *Saved by the Bell* and her appearance in *How High*, Voorhies continued to work in television and film, though she stepped away from the intense spotlight of her previous fame. Her career is a testament to the challenges and transitions faced by child stars in Hollywood.

Post-Bayside Projects and Television Work

After the original *Saved by the Bell* run ended, Voorhies reprised the role of Lisa Turtle in the spin-off *Saved by the Bell: The College Years* and the made-for-TV movie *Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas*. She also had a recurring role on the soap opera *Days of Our Lives* as Wendy Reardon, a significant dramatic shift. This work demonstrated her desire to move beyond the teen sitcom format and explore more complex characters.

However, as the 2000s progressed, her public appearances became less frequent. Rumors and speculation about her personal life and health began to circulate, which she later addressed publicly. Her candid discussion about her mental health struggles in 2020 was a powerful moment, offering clarity to fans and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness in the entertainment industry.

The Highly Anticipated *Saved by the Bell* Revival

The most significant recent update in Lark Voorhies' career is her return to the role that made her famous. In 2020, she appeared as Lisa Turtle in the Peacock streaming service's revival of *Saved by the Bell*. Her character, now a successful fashion designer, was seamlessly integrated into the new Bayside High universe.

Her appearance was celebrated by fans and critics alike, who appreciated the opportunity to see the original *Saved by the Bell* alum back on screen. This comeback not only provided a nostalgic moment but also offered a hopeful update on her well-being, confirming her status as an enduring figure in pop culture. The revival, which also featured other original cast members like Elizabeth Berkley (Jessie Spano) and Mario Lopez (A.C. Slater), proved that the legacy of Bayside High, and Lisa Turtle's fashion-forward legacy, remains strong.