AYA * Born in Texas, as Mary Elizabeth
Spacek, Sissy became a nickname given by her brothers, Sissy Spacek initially
aspired to be a singer, she moved to New York City, but after taking acting lessons,
modeling and being an extra in films; Sissy swiftly switched her career move to acting.
This was the beginning of her journey to become a widely praised and striking actress.*
AYA With the help of her actor cousin,
Rip Torn, Sissy got her foot in the door by taking acting lessons at the Actors Studio.
She consequently had her film debut in Prime Cut in 1972. TV roles followed.
But it was her film career that truly took off. Only a year later in 73, the 23 year old Spacek
landed her breakthrough role in a Terrence Malick film called Badlands; opposite Martin Sheen.
There she met her soon to be husband Zack Fisk; a production designer. They would work together
on more movies. AYA
A few years later she appeared in her most famous role. To this day we associate
her with this film. Carrie. It was the first film adaptation of Steven Kings book of the same name.
Sissy Spacek did whatever it took to secure this role. She was actually 26 when the film came out,
a whole 10 years older than the character she played. But very convincingly. Brian de Palma,
the director had no choice but to cast Spacek because of her dedication to the character.
This film is a cult classic worth watching. Spacek was unforgettable. Therefore she was nominated for
best actress Oscar in 1977. AYA
The consecutive years consisted of establishing Spacek as a high value star. She
appeared in Welcome To LA 3 Women and Heart Beat. AYA
Spacek had a chance to showcase her versatility in Coal Miners Daughter in 1980.
It was a bio pic about the life of country singer Loretta Lynn. Loretta Lynn picked
Spacek out of a stack of other actresses to play her on screen. This film was universally
successful. Spacek was the center of attention. * Her ability to sing the songs herself, rather
than lip sync, emulate Lynn’s specific accent and transform from a teenager
to a middle aged woman in the span of the film was most advantageous to Spacek’s success.
Ultimately this role won Sissy, her one and only Best Actress Oscar in 1981. Proving, that playing
a real life person never comes easy, but if done right, it certainly will bring lots of attention
and rewards. She even got nominated for a Grammy.* AYA
There is just something about actresses like Sissy Spacek,
Shelly Duvall, Audrey Hepburn and even Mia Farrow that is intrinsic to their personas,
and therefore their characters in film, it is that ambivalence of whether they are a woman or child.
They possess a youthful gamine energy that makes them one of a kinds regardless of how old they
are. They can play teenagers when their in their mid 30s and old women when they're in their 20s.
Thats something that is rare. 2.
AYA Sissy, now in her early 30’s
starred in more highly successful films in the 80s like in Missing,
The River, Night Mother (opposite Anne Bancroft) and Crimes Of The Heart (opposite Diane Keaton
and Jessica Lange.) AYA
She took a few years off from acting to spend time with family
and returned to the big screen in 1990 in the movie The Long Walk Home opposite Whoopi Goldberg.
Since then Spacek’s filmography was ever-growing. It is filled with successes like JFK, Affliction,
The Straight Story and In The Bedroom. AYA
Her more fairly recent highlights were in Deadfall, The Old Man and The Gun,
so far her most recent film and The Help. Also an adaptation worth watching.
AYA Since the early 70s Spacek has had
an ongoing TV career. Although it consisted of more TV films and a few series roles, it is clear
just how prominent her film career has been. * She is multitalented and her ability to
transform proves her versatility. Her ability to mix the dark and light of a character is very
appealing. That is why she has won two Golden Globes, An Oscar and even got nominated five
more times on top of that for the Best Actress Oscar. Someone who stays out of the spotlight,
lives on a farm in Virginia with her two daughters and husband. There is a lot about Sissy Spacek
that is very endearing and level headed.* 3.