Roles We Love: Octavia Spencer

Hollywood Journal

The Hollywood Reporter rounded up some of Octavia Spencer’s most memorable roles.

Transcript

00:00I got some business attention, so y'all just mind your own.

00:03From the part that won her her first Oscar, to a brilliant mathematician, to a crime-solving podcast host,

00:09here's seven roles we love from Octavia Spencer.

00:152011's The Help saw Spencer play Minnie, a maid living and working in Jackson, Mississippi,

00:20during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.

00:22According to The Hollywood Reporter's review, Spencer's character, quote,

00:25provides not only comic relief, but a feistiness that shows that some maids found the gumption

00:30and means to give back at overbearing employers.

00:33She was nominated for and won her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the role.

00:39I'm gonna take care of Ava Lynn.

00:42And she can take care of me.

00:44In 2013's Fruitvale Station, Spencer took on the role of Wanda,

00:48the mother of Michael B. Jordan's character, Oscar Grant.

00:50The movie is based on the true story of how Grant was detained on New Year's Day in 2009

00:54by the Bay Area Rapid Transit Police

00:57and shot in the back and killed at Fruitvale Station.

01:00I love you, Austin.

01:01Hey, you don't love nothing.

01:03I do.

01:04And I'm praying for you.

01:09I'll see you when you get home.

01:112016's Hidden Figures saw the actress once again portray a real person,

01:15mathematician Dorothy Vaughn,

01:17one of three unsung members of the NASA team

01:19that made astronaut John Glenn's 1962 orbit of Earth possible.

01:23Spencer plays the supervisor of the group.

01:26THR's review called her performance, quote,

01:28reliably warm yet steely.

01:30She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for the part.

01:35My application for supervisor, ma'am.

01:37I was just wondering if they're still considering me for that position.

01:40Yes.

01:42Well, the official word is no.

01:43In the 2017 romantic fantasy film The Shape of Water,

01:47Spencer played Zelda,

01:49the friend, co-worker, and interpreter of the main character

01:51who is mute and communicates through sign language.

01:54Spencer once again received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

01:58Just how big a target do they need you, Piggott?

02:03You get enough practice, that's for sure.

02:052019 psychological horror film Ma showed audiences a different side of Spencer.

02:10The actress played a lonely, middle-aged woman

02:12who allows a group of teenagers to party at her house.

02:15You been down there messing with these kids?

02:17No, ma'am.

02:19Well, they've been moved.

02:20In the Apple TV Plus series Truth Be Told that premiered in 2019,

02:29Spencer stars as Poppy Parnell,

02:31a journalist-turned-true-crime podcast host.

02:34Parnell is a jaded veteran reporter who leaves the New York Times

02:37to start a podcast that retells the case that made her career.

02:40According to THR's Season 1 review,

02:42quote,

02:43Spencer nails this commanding role.

02:45Seeking answers is never a straight line.

02:492020's Netflix limited series Self-Made,

02:52inspired by the life of Madam C.J. Walker,

02:54saw Spencer portray Madam C.J. Walker,

02:57a washerwoman who rose from poverty to build a beauty empire

03:00and to become the first female self-made millionaire.

03:03Sisters, let's talk about hair.

03:06They put us down, tell us we're ugly, make us feel ugly.

03:09Wonderful hair leads to wonderful opportunities.

03:13For much more on Octavia Spencer's career, go to THR.com.

03:16This is The Hollywood Reporter News.

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