Sissy Spacek

Season 8, Episode 803

Original Airdate: March 10, 2002

Sissy Spacek was born in Quitman, Texas on Christmas Day 1949. Her initial career goal was to become a singer. In the late 1960's, Sissy moved to New York and began singing in Grenwich Village coffeehouses under the name “Rainbo”.

After attending the Lee Strasberg Theatrical Institute, she made her film debut in Michael Ritchie's Prime Cut (1972). The following year, she received much attention and critical acclaim for her portrayal of Holly in Terrence Malick's Badlands. The film also starred Martin Sheen and was based on the true story of a young couple who go on a murder spree in the 1950's.

Sissy's true breakout performance came in 1976 when she starred in Brian DePalma's chilling Carrie, based on a novel by Stephen King. The film has become a cult classic favorite and earned Sissy her first Oscar nomination. Other performances in the 1970's included Welcome to LA (1976), 3 Women (1977) and The Seducers (1977).

In 1980, Sissy got the chance to show off her singing ability by portraying legendary Country music star Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner's Daughter (1980). Her performance earned her an Oscar win for Best Actress and has proven to be her most popular role to date. The 1980's brought Sissy 3 more Best Actress Oscar nominations: Missing (1982), The River (1984) and Crimes of the Heart (1984).

In the late 1980's, Sissy decided to slow down her acting pace and focus on raising her family. Roles included The Long Walk Home (1989), JFK (1991), The Grass Harp (1995), Affliction (1998), Blast From the Past (1999) and The Straight Story (1999).

In 2001, Sissy again returned to the spotlight starring in Todd Field's critically acclaimed In the Bedroom as a grieving mother whose son is brutally murdered. Sissy won the Golden Globe for her performance and earned her sixth Oscar nomination.