Octavia Spencer was primarily a career TV guest star for the first 20 years of her career. There aren’t many dramas or comedies from the late 1990s to early 2000s that don’t have a guest appearance from Spencer. She picked up the odd role in films, but it wasn’t until her Oscar-winning turn in The Help that he exploded into one of the best character actresses in Hollywood. Spencer is almost never the star, but any film is immediately elevated by her presence, versatility, and strength as an actress. Equally comfortable with drama or comedy, Spencer has a deceptive intensity. When she fixes her gaze on the target of her character’s focus, she commands not only their attention, but transfixes the audience as well. With multiple Oscar nominations since breaking out in The Help, Spencer has become one of the most sought after additions to any ensemble cast.
Octavia Spencer’s Best 10
1. Gifted (2017) Roberta Taylor
2. Zootopia (2016) Mrs. Otterman
3. The Help (2011) Minny Jackson
4. Snowpiercer (2013) Tanya
5. Fruitvale Station (2013) Wanda
6. Hidden Figures (2016) Dorothy Vaughan
7. A Time to Kill (1996) Roark’s Nurse
8. The Shape of Water (2017) Zelda Fuller
9. Seven Pounds (2008) Kate
10. The Soloist (2009) Troubled Woman
Honorable Mention: Get on Up (2014) Aunt Honey
Oscars, Golden Globes & Emmys
Oscar Wins (1): The Help (2012)
Oscar Nominations (3): The Help (2012), Hidden Figures (2017), The Shape of Water (2018)
Golden Globe Wins (1): The Help (2012)
Golden Globe Nominations (3): The Help (2012), Hidden Figures (2017), The Shape of Water (2018)
Emmy Wins (0): None
Emmy Nominations (0): None
My Favorite Spencer Scene:
“The Last Time I Visit You” from Fruitvale Station (2014)
Next Film: Spencer’s next project is the drama A Kid Like Jake with Claire Danes and Jim Parsons set for release in May 2018.
I didn’t know she was in zootopia, loved the help.
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She’s done so much and been on so many shows. I had no idea until I put the list together.
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Me either. 🙂
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She can chew scenery with the best of ’em … but with her own brand of je ne sais quoi. 😀
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