Michelle Hurst

Michelle Hurst (born June 1, 1953) is an American actress known for her work in theater, television, and film. She began her career in theater and later transitioned to appearing in television and film in the 1990s. Hurst gained recognition for her multiple roles in various Law & Order television shows. She has co-starred in films such as Airheads, Smoke, Stepmom, and Sherrybaby. In 2013, she starred as Miss Claudette Pelage in the first season of the Netflix comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black, for which she received a Satellite Award for Best Cast - Television Series. Hurst left the show after a single season due to a serious car accident in which she was injured and placed in a coma for 16 days.