Jessica Lange is a Hollywood actress, model, producer, photographer, goodwill ambassador and even an aspiring writer. She is the owner of two Oscars and five Golden Globe awards, which not every actor in his career can boast of. All films with Jessica Lange's participation are highly acclaimed by both critics and audiences. Among the actress's calling cards are the films Tootsie, Francis, All That Jazz, Blue Sky, as well as American Horror Story and Feud.
Jessica Lange's early life and education
Jessica Lange was born on April 20, 1949 in Clockett, Minnesota, USA. Her parents were Albert John Lange, a teacher and traveling salesman, and Dorothy Florence, a housewife. Jessica has two older sisters, Anne and Jane, and a younger brother, George.
At an early age, Jessica's life was chaotic. Due to the traveling nature of her father's work, the whole family had to constantly change one city after another, a total of two dozen times. Finally, when the Lang family returned to their native Clockett, Jessica was sent to study at a local school.
In the fall of 1967, Lange entered the University of Minnesota. Jessica paid special attention to classes in the visual arts and wanted to become an artist. But she soon realized that the university environment did not suit her restless nature, and decided to leave the higher institution in the middle of the first year.
Unexpectedly, after watching the classic French film "Children of the Raik" (1945), Jessica became seriously interested in the art of pantomime. Wanting to learn as much as possible about this stage genre, Lang traveled to Paris to get under the guidance of the great teacher Etienne Decroux and master the necessary technique. Jessica spent several years in Paris, and then went to New York for acting classes. Life in a big city turned out to be difficult, not to mention building a career in show business. So Jessica Lange, a blonde with an attractive appearance, went to a modeling agency to cover her acting costs. Lang also worked as a waitress.
Jessica Lange's career and creativity
Jessica Lange was soon approached by a modeling agency for producer Dino De Laurentiis, who was looking for a new face to star in his 1933 remake of King Kong. Released in 1976, the film proved to be commercially successful and grossed over $ 52 million at the box office. For her debut film role, Jessica Lange received public attention and her first Golden Globe award.
The next successful film in the career of the young actress was the crime melodrama The Postman Always Calls Twice in 1981 with Jack Nicholson in the title role.
In 1982, the comedy "Tootsie" with Dustin Hoffman was released on wide screens. Jessica Lange stars as Julie Nichols, a nurse on the hit TV series Southwest Hospital. Jessica receives her first Oscar for her superbly performed supporting role. In addition, the film received several more awards and a dozen nominations. "Tootsie" is included in the 100 funniest American films according to the American Film Institute, where the film took an honorable second place (first - "There are only girls in jazz", 1959).
In 1985, Lang portrayed legendary country singer Patsy Cline in the biopic music film Sweet Dreams. It is noteworthy that the actress performed all the songs herself, and also specially for this role turned from a blonde into a brunette, dyeing her hair.
She played the mentally unstable wife of Major Marshall in the drama Blue Sky (1994). For an emotionally vivid image and high-quality performance, Jessica was awarded the Golden Globe.
Perhaps the only film starring Lang that was coldly received by film critics is the thriller Legacy with Gwyneth Paltrow (1998). For her performance in this motion picture, Jessica was nominated for a Golden Raspberry.
Among the most powerful films with the participation of Jessica Lange of the late 90s - 2000s:
- Historical drama with Anthony Hopkins "Titus - Ruler of Rome" (1999);
- fantasy melodrama "Big Fish" (2003);
- Comedy drama "Broken Flowers" with James Belushi (2005);
- the drama "Sibylla" (2006);
- Comedy drama "Bonneville" with Katie Bates (2007);
- biographical drama "Gray Gardens" with Drew Barrymore (2009);
- the series "American Horror Story" (since 2011);
- a small role in the melodrama "The Oath" (2012);
- biographical series "Feud" (2017).
Jessica Lange bibliography
Jessica is also known in the world of photography. In 2008, she published 50 Photos, publishing her selected black-and-white works for publication. In 2010, Lange presented her second book on photography, In Mexico.
The actress actively participates in international photo exhibitions and exhibits the results of her work in various art galleries along with world professional photographers from North and South America, Europe and Asia.
In 2013, Lange published an illustrated book for children, This is a Story of a Bird. This is a fairy tale that includes elements of an adventure novel and mysticism. The main theme of the book revolves around friendship, love and family.
Jessica Lange Actress Awards
1977 - Golden Globe for his debut in the movie "King Kong".
1983 - Oscar and Golden Globe as Best Supporting Actress in the comedy melodrama Tootsie.
1995 - Oscar and Golden Globe as "Best Lead Actress" in the melodrama "Blue Sky".
1996 - Golden Globes as Best Television Movie Actress for A Streetcar Named Desire.
2012 - Golden Globes as Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series American Horror Story.
In addition, the actress has three Emmy awards and dozens of nominations in different categories.
Jessica Lange's personal life
Jessica Lang was married to photographer Francisco "Paco" Grande in 1970, after which the couple filed for divorce in 1981. From 1976 to 1982, Lang had an affair with the Russian ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. The couple have a child born in 1981. Lange was involved in a relationship with actor and playwright Sam Shepard. The couple have two children. Lange and her husband Sam divorced in 2009.
Lange is a philanthropist and Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
In addition to acting, Jessica Lange has participated in several theatrical productions.
In her spare time, Jessica enjoys gardening.
The actress shows respect for all world religions, but for herself she considers Buddhism the closest.
