Lauren was born Greg Lauren Dana Smith in New York City, New York, the nephew of renowned fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Lauren graduated with a B.A. in Art History at Princeton University in 1991. On November 1, 2003, he wed Showgirls star Elizabeth Berkley in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in a traditional Jewish ceremony.
Lauren portrayed Brett Nelson on The Young and the Restless and has appeared in such films as Friends & Family, The Wedding Planner, and Boogie Nights. A successful painter, Lauren's nudes command up to $15,000 and have been bought by such celebs as Renée Zellweger, Demi Moore, Ben Stiller, and Cuba Gooding Jr..
He has been cover artist for the DC Comics Vertigo title, Hellblazer issues 215-218 were solicited, but the latter has since been replaced by the publishers.