Ricki Lake on "King of the Hill", and starred in the television movie "Baby Cakes". She had a cameo appearance in the 2007 remake of the original cult-classic "Hairspray" as a William Morris talent agent, and teamed up with star Nikki Blonsky (who played Tracy Turnblad in the 2007 movie musical remake) and Marissa Jaret Winokur (who played Tracy Turnblad in the Broadway musical based on the original 1988 film) to record "Mama I'm a Big Girl Now" for the soundtrack. The song is played during the film's end credits. She later reunited with original "Hairspray" co-star Deborah Harry for the film
Ricki and the Flash New York. TriStar Pictures financed, and released the film on August 7, 2015. The film received mixed reviews from critics who praised the performances of the cast but criticised its screenplay, tone and execution and grossed $41.3 million at the box office against its $30 million budget. Ricki chased her dreams of becoming a famous rock star by abandoning her family. She gets a chance to put things right when her ex-husband Pete asks her to visit Indianapolis and help their estranged daughter Julie through a difficult time. Ricki has a rock band that plays a regular gig at a