Lili Taylor

Widely recognized for her work in film, television, and theater, Lili Taylor is an acclaimed actor known for bringing depth, intellectual curiosity, and grounded authenticity to her roles. Today, she has cultivated an equally compelling voice as a speaker, writer, and observer of the natural world.

During a break from acting, Taylor turned to nature in search of quiet—and instead discovered the vibrant, symphonic world of birdwatching. What began as a personal retreat quickly became a lasting practice. With binoculars in hand, she now seeks out the extraordinary within the everyday, finding meaning in moments often overlooked.

Her book, Turning to Birds: The Power and Beauty of Noticing, offers an intimate reflection on this journey. Blending memoir and nature writing, she highlights how mindfulness, stillness, and attention can open us to a richer experience of the world around us. With warmth and humility, she reveals how the simple act of noticing can deepen our sense of presence, patience, and connection. Turning to Birds was named a “Best Book of the Year” by New Yorker and Library Journal. 

As a motivational speaker and storyteller, Taylor speaks with the same reflective curiosity and joy that define her work as an actress. Her talks weave together themes of creativity, well-being, and the power of observation in an increasingly distracted world. Drawing from both her career and her birding experiences, she offers a perspective that resonates across disciplines, from the arts to wellness to environmental awareness. In doing so, she creates space for audiences to reconsider how they engage with their own lives—encouraging a deeper awareness of both ourselves and the world around us.

Taylor first rose to prominence in the 1988 film Mystic Pizza, and has since built a celebrated career in film, with credits including I Shot Andy Warhol, Short Cuts, Dogfight, Say Anything, Public Enemies, and The Conjuring. Her television work includes Six Feet Under and Subway Stories, and she has appeared on Broadway in productions such as The Three Sisters. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.

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