Season 2 of Euphoria allowed background characters to share some of the spotlight. One of those characters was Lexi Howard, played by 24-year-old actor Maude Apatow. Lexi's role in season 1 was primarily reserved for living in the shadow of her big sister, Cassie, and being the distant best friend of Zendaya's Rue Bennett.
Lexi's transformation began in the first episode of season 2, where she was shown standing up to her sister and bonding with fan-favorite Fezco. As time went on, it became clear that Maude was a breakout star, proven by her performance as Lexi as she geared up to put on a school play that would expose the lives of all of her family and friends. If Maude's face looked familiar to fans, it may be because she's been in the business a lot longer than viewers may have realized.
She's Been Acting Since She Was 7-Years-Old
Maude has been acting since she was a child, with her earliest roles dating back to 2005 when she would have been just seven years old. Fans may recognize her from Judd Apatow's 2007 film, Knocked Up, in which she played Sadie, the daughter of Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann's characters.
Born and raised in L.A., Maude was exposed to Hollywood at a young age, but her beginner roles were all minor parts in movies written by her father. It wasn't until her late teens and early 20s that Maude began to branch out and make a name for herself.
She Loves Reality Television
Maude is a self-proclaimed fan-girl and super fan of reality television. During an appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers in 2022, Maude explained that when it comes to direct messaging contestants on her favorite shows she has no shame.
She went on to describe the plot of 90-Day Fiance to Seth, and how she regularly contacts the stars on Instagram to ask them if they're doing okay following the events that unfold on her television screen.
She Has A Younger Sister, Iris
In her earliest role as Sadie in Knocked Up, Maude played the older sister to Charlotte, who was played by her real-life sister, Iris Apatow.
Maude and Iris are nearly five years apart, with Maude being born in December 1997 and Iris's birthday being in October 2002. The pair appear to be extremely close, supporting one another on social media and being spotted out in public together. Iris is also an actor and is best friends with superstar Olivia Rodrigo.
She Played Pete Davidson's Sister In A Movie
In 2020, Maude starred alongside comedian Pete Davidson in a movie written and directed by her father called, The King Of Staten Island. While Pete portrayed a fictionalized version of himself, Maude played his little sister, Claire, who was based on Pete's real-life sister, Casey.
Maude's connection to Pete Davidson is similar to her co-star's Sydney Sweeney, who appeared in Big Time Adolescence with Pete.
She Briefly Attended Northwestern University
Maude revealed in her interview with Seth Meyers that she and Seth actually attended the same college, both studying at Northwestern University. While Seth completed his degree and graduated, Maude left during her sophomore year so that she could play Lexi Howard on Euphoria.
While at Northwestern, Maude majored in theatre and was the subject of a rumor that she took baths in the infamous bathtub in her dorm's bathroom. Maude cleared the air on Seth's show, maintaining and laughing about how she would never do such a thing.
She Once Interviewed One Direction
Due to being in the spotlight at such a young age, a lot of Maude's embarrassing but wholesome childhood moments have been brought to light during her press for Euphoria. One of the funniest clips to exist of Maude was shown to viewers of The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon earlier this year.
As a super-fan of the band One Direction, Maude got the opportunity of a lifetime to interview the boys for Teen Vogue back in 2012. Additionally, footage of Maude reacting to see the band in concert was resurrected for her Tonight Show interview, showing an extremely elated Maude freaking out while her younger sister tells her to calm down.
She Writes, Directs, And Acts
Similar to her character Lexi Howard, Maude has a passion for writing and directing as well as acting. In 2017 she wrote and directed a short film called, Don't Mind Alice, about a young woman believing she is responsible for her boss's death.
Maude's acting credentials have increased over the last few years as well, with her getting recurring roles in shows like Girls and Hollywood and appearing in movies such as The House Of Tomorrow and Assassination Nation. Though her biggest role by far has been playing the incredibly likable Lexi on Euphoria.
She's Close With Her On-Screen Sister, Sydney Sweeney
Despite their tumultuous relationship on Euphoria, Sydney Sweeney and Maude Apatow are very close friends in real life. Their characters clashed numerous times in season 2, with their big fight coming to a head in the finale as Sydney's Cassie confronted Lexi in the middle of her play.
Sydney and Maude have had matching Halloween costumes for several years and post lots of pictures together on social media. The pair love to explore new places with one another and complement each other in their Instagram comments. Maude and Sydney both frequently post behind-the-scenes pictures as well, sharing a love of capturing BTS moments on film.
She Was A Theater Kid In High School
Maude revealed during her Seth Meyers interview that she believes Lexi's manic theater persona storyline in season 2 was heavily inspired by the fact that she herself was a huge theater kid during her high school years.
Maude described herself as having a huge passion for the theater and being a bit bossy during her high school production of Cabaret, even demanding that her co-star slap her for real during a scene. Maude's dedication to her craft was intimidating to her fellow classmates, but allowed her to show how serious she was about acting.
She's The Daughter Of Judd Apatow And Leslie Mann
If the last name Apatow sounds familiar, it's because Judd Apatow is one of the biggest comedy directors and writers in Hollywood. He and his wife, actor Leslie Mann, have two daughters together, one of them being Euphoria's Maude Apatow.
Because of her parents' success in the entertainment business, Maude had a front-row seat to how movies got made and how to act. She has starred in several of her father's projects and has even played the daughter of her mother's characters in three separate films.