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Octavia Spencer Biography

Birth Name:
Octavia Lenora Spencer
Birth Place:
Montgomery, Alabama, United States
Profession
Actor

Fast Facts

  • Had aspirations of pursuing a career in film production
  • Big-screen debut was in the 1996 drama A Time to Kill
  • Coauthored children's mystery book The Rock Holler Gang: Jr
  • Detectives in 2002
  • In 2003, made stage debut in the Los Angeles production of The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife
  • Included on Entertainment Weekly's 2009 list of 25 Funniest Actresses in Hollywood
  • Went on a 2009 book tour with the author of The Help and gave voice to the black characters in the tome
  • A few months later, she was cast as Minny Jackson in the film adaptation of the novel

Awards

  • 2020Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie: nominated
  • 2020Independent Spirit Awards-Best Supporting Female: nominated
  • 2018BAFTA Film Awards-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017Critics' Choice Awards-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2017Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2016Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2016Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2016Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2013National Board of Review-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2012Critics' Choice Movie Awards-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2011Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2011Detroit Film Critics Society-Best Supporting Actress: nominated