This remarkable, one-of-a-kind actress has, since the early 1990s, intrigued film and TV audiences with her glowing, yet careworn eccentricity and old world-styled glamour. Very much in demand these days as a character player, Patricia Clarkson nevertheless continues to avoid the temptation of money-making mainstream filming while reaping kudos and acting awards in out-of-the-way projects. The New Orleans born-and-bred performer with the given name of Patricia Davies Clarkson was born on December 29, 1959, the daughter of Arthur ("Buzz") Clarkson, a school administrator, and Jacquelyn (Brechtel) Clarkson, a local city politician and councilwoman. Patricia demonstrated an early interest in acting and managed to appear in a few junior high and high school-level plays while growing up. She took her basic college studies at Louisiana State University, studying speech for two years, before transferring to New York's Fordham University and graduating with honors in theatre arts. Accepted into the prestigious Yale School of Drama graduate program, she earned her Master of Fine Arts after gracing a wide range of productions including "Electra," "Pericles," "Twelfth Night", "The Lower Depths," "The Misanthrope," "Pacific Overtures" and "La Ronde". From there she took on New York City where she attracted strong East Coast notice in 1986 for her portrayal of Corrina in "The House of Blue Leaves" and in such other plays as "Eastern Standard" (1988) and "Wolf-Man" (1989). Known for her organic approach to acting, the flaxen-maned actress decided to try out her trademark whiskey voice in Hollywood at age 28, making her movie debut as Mrs. Eliot Ness in 'Brian De Palma' (qv)'s _The Untouchables (1987)_ (qv) starring 'Kevin Costner' (qv). The following years she gained attention for playing Samantha Walker in _The Dead Pool (1988)_ (qv) where she starred opposite 'Clint Eastwood' (qv)'s popular "Dirty Harry" character. Playing supportive, wifely types at the onset, she became a strong contender for character stardom by the mid-to-late 1990s, not only on stage but in the independent film arena. On stage Patricia received impressive notices for her contributions to the plays "Raised in Captivity," "The Ride Down Mt. Morgan," "Three Days of Rain" and, in particular, "The Maiden's Prayer," which nabbed her both Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award nominations. In 2004, she finally enacted the classic part she seemed born to play, that of Southern belle Blanche DuBois in the Kennedy Center production of "A Streetcar Named Desire". She earned glowing notices. On camera she was offered roles of marked diversity. From the heavier dramatics of a film like _Pharaoh's Army (1995)_ (qv), she could move deftly into light comedy, courtesy of 'Neil Simon (I)' (qv) in the TV-movie _London Suite (1996) (TV)_ (qv). It was, however, her bleak, convulsive portrayal of Greta, a strung-out, heroin-happy German has-been actress, opposite a resurgent 'Ally Sheedy' (qv) in the acclaimed art film _High Art (1998)_ (qv) that truly put Patricia on the indie map. From this she was handed a silver plate's worth of excitingly offbeat roles. In 2003 alone, Patricia received a special acting prize at the Sundance Film Festival for her superb work in three films: as a somber, grieving artist in _The Station Agent (2003)_ (qv), a cold-hearted cancer victim in _Pieces of April (2003)_ (qv) and a jokey, get-with-it mom in _All the Real Girls (2003)_ (qv). She was nominated for a "Supporting Actress" Oscar for the second movie mentioned. On TV Patricia received two Emmys for her recurring guest part as 'Frances Conroy' (qv)'s free-spirited sister in the acclaimed black comedy series _"Six Feet Under" (2001)_ (qv). She also received the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics awards for her supporting work in the gorgeous, 1950s-styled melodrama _Far from Heaven (2002)_ (qv), as a prim and proper Stepford-wife and deceptive friend to 'Julianne Moore' (qv). No matter the size, such as her extended cameos in _The Green Mile (1999)_ (qv), _All the Real Girls (2003)_ (qv), _Miracle (2004)_ (qv) and _Elegy (2008/I)_ (qv), Patricia manages to make the most of whatever screen time she has, often stealing scenes effortlessly. Seen everywhere because of her in-demand status in Hollywood, Patricia recently worked for director/actor 'Woody Allen' (qv). Impressed with her small but excellent contribution in _Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)_ (qv), she was promoted to a lead in his more recent picture _Whatever Works (2009)_ (qv).
|
Patricia Clarkson
- There were some movies I passed on early on, and some movies I didn't get, some big studio films. But now I look back and I realize that I really came later in life to a kind of career. I was somewhat typecast as suburban "mom" type roles early on. But I've always had this deep voice, so I think it was tough sometimes for directors to cast me as the ingénue. Because I'd walk in and look a certain way, then open my mouth and have this...voice! So I think I sort of grew into my voice, my face, my body as I got older.
- I think most people see me as much darker, more serious and possessing a certain gravitas, when I'm really quite insane. I guess I want everyone to see my insanity. I have a far more nutty and unpredictable side.
- I go where I need to go. If I need to look glamorous or spiffy or young, or battling cancer, or a drugged-out and hippie type, it hopefully will be projected in my face. That's the beauty of acting: hopefully it comes through. It's not about hair and makeup, a different color of hair. It's about being malleable. I just always hope it's going to work because you never know.
|
