Piper Laurie was an Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actress known for her work in “Carrie,” “Twin Peaks,” “The Hustler,” and “Children of a Lesser God.”
- Died: October 14, 2023 (Who else died on October 14?)
- Details of death: Died in Los Angeles of old age at the age of 91.
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Piper Laurie’s legacy
Born Rosetta Jacobs in Detroit, Michigan, Laurie signed a contract with Universal Studios in 1949 at just 17, changing her name in the process. Her film debut came in 1950 with “Louisa,” alongside future U.S. President Ronald Reagan (1911–2004). Though she got steady studio work throughout the 1950s, it was low-profile and left her unfulfilled, so Laurie moved to New York to study acting on the stage.
Paul Newman (1925–2008) lured Laurie back to Hollywood with a role in his 1961 film, “The Hustler.” Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination, yet good roles still failed to materialize. She returned to the stage and television in New York and wouldn’t return to Hollywood for 15 years. In 1976, she made her second return to the silver screen, playing the religious fanatic mother in “Carrie.” Laurie once again earned an Oscar nomination – two films in a row, separated by a decade and a half. This time, she stayed in Hollywood and worked steadily well into her 80s.
Laurie’s return to the screen proved successful. In 1986, she earned her third Academy Award nomination, this time for “Children of a Lesser God.” She enjoyed success on the small screen, too. In 1983, she earned Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for her work in the television miniseries “The Thorn Birds.” In 1986, the same year of her third Oscar nomination, she received a Golden Globe nomination and won an Emmy for her work in the made-for-TV film “Promise.” She earned further Emmy nominations for appearances on such shows as “St. Elsewhere,” “Twin Peaks,” and “Frasier,” and won a Golden Globe for “Twin Peaks.”
In 2000, Laurie received the Spirit of Hope Award for her efforts in entertaining American troops during the Korean War. Outside of acting, Laurie was a sculptor who worked primarily with marble and clay.
Notable quote
“I don’t really approach a part with what I want to express, I think my ambition during filming is to respect the material, to fulfill the nature of the character as written.”—from a 2012 interview with PopMatters
Tributes to Piper Laurie
Full obituary: Variety
