Three-time Oscar Nominee Piper Laurie Dies at 91
Renowned actress Piper Laurie, a three-time Oscar-nominated talent celebrated for her roles in films like ‘The Hustler' and ‘Carrie,' peacefully passed away at the age of 91 in her Los Angeles residence.
Piper Laurie, a determined and accomplished actor who, at one point, temporarily left her acting career in search of a more fulfilling life, departed early on a Saturday morning in Los Angeles. Her passing was attributed to old age, as conveyed by her manager, Marion Rosenberg, in an email to The Associated Press. Laurie was described as both a superb talent and a wonderful human being.
Piper Laurie first ventured into Hollywood in 1949 under the name Rosetta Jacobs. She quickly secured a contract with Universal International, though she despised her new moniker. She graced the silver screen alongside renowned actors like Ronald Reagan, Rock Hudson, and Tony Curtis, landing starring roles that would help define her career.
Throughout her illustrious career, she earned three Academy Award nominations for her exceptional performances in three distinct films. In 1961, she mesmerized audiences in the poolroom drama ‘The Hustler.' In 1976, she brought Stephen King's horror classic ‘Carrie' to life on the big screen, and in 1986, she captivated viewers with her role in the romantic drama ‘Children of a Lesser God.' Her talent wasn't limited to the movies; she also left a mark on television and the stage, most notably in David Lynch's ‘Twin Peaks' during the 1990s, where she portrayed the enigmatic Catherine Martell.
Piper Laurie's journey in the world of cinema began at the tender age of 17 when she appeared in ‘Louisa,' playing Reagan's daughter. Subsequently, she shared the screen with Francis, the talking mule, in ‘Francis Goes to the Races.' She collaborated with Tony Curtis, with whom she had a romantic involvement, in several films including ‘The Prince Who Was a Thief,' ‘No Room for the Groom,' ‘Son of Ali Baba,' and ‘Johnny Dark.'
Growing disenchanted, she made a bold move in 1955, walking away from her $2,000-a-week contract, vowing not to return unless offered a substantial role. She relocated to New York and found the meaningful roles she sought in theater and live television drama. Her performances in ‘Days of Wine and Roses,' ‘The Deaf Heart,' and ‘The Road That Led After' earned her Emmy nominations and eventually paved the way for her return to film, where she delivered a captivating portrayal as Paul Newman's troubled girlfriend in ‘The Hustler.'
Afterward, Piper Laurie took a prolonged hiatus from acting. She tied the knot with film critic Joseph Morgenstern, became a mother to their daughter, Ann Grace, and settled into a farmhouse in Woodstock, New York. She later revealed that her decision was influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War, which drove her to seek a more meaningful existence.
She reflected on her decision with no regrets, remarking, “My life was full. I always liked using my hands, and I always painted.” In this period, she also gained recognition as a skilled baker, and her recipes even found their way into The New York Times. The only time she returned to the stage during this period was to support Sen. George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign, joining a group of musicians and actors on a tour of college campuses.
Piper Laurie was eventually lured back to the world of acting when director Brian De Palma reached out to her to play the deranged mother of Sissy Spacek in ‘Carrie.' Initially, she dismissed the script as trivial, but later, she considered portraying the role with a comedic twist. It wasn't until De Palma corrected her that she realized the film was meant to be a thriller. ‘Carrie' became a sensation, igniting a trend of films featuring teenagers in peril, and both Spacek and Laurie received Academy Award nominations.
Her passion for acting reignited, and Laurie embarked on a thriving career that spanned decades. On television, she graced series such as ‘Matlock,' ‘Murder, She Wrote,' ‘Frasier,' and even played George Clooney's mother on ‘ER.'
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