The remake of King Kong in 1976 served as the professional film debut for Jessica Lange, earning the newcomer a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year. Since that initial production, her career has spanned over five decades, encompassing diverse work across film, television, and Broadway stages, alongside a dedicated practice as a photographer.
Early Career and Education
Born in 1949 in Cloquet, Minnesota, Lange graduated from Cloquet High School before attending the University of Minnesota on a scholarship to study photography and art. She later moved to Paris to study mime under Étienne Decroux and worked as a dancer at the Opéra-Comique. Upon returning to the United States, she continued her training at HB Studio in New York City.
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Lange achieved the Triple Crown of Acting, having received an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for Blue Sky in 1995 and a Primetime Emmy for her role as Big Edie in the HBO production Grey Gardens in 2009. Her television credits include appearances in American Horror Story, The Politician, and the 2024 film The Great Lillian Hall.
Stage and Humanitarian Work
Lange made her Broadway debut in 1992 in A Streetcar Named Desire. In 2016, she received a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in the revival of Long Day's Journey into Night. Beyond her artistic output, she serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on HIV and AIDS prevention efforts in Russia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Fast facts
- Born: 1949, Cloquet, United States
- Education: Cloquet High School, University of Minnesota, HB Studio
- Film Debut: King Kong (1976)
- Tony Award: Best Actress in a Play (2016)
- Academy Award: Best Actress (1995)
- Emmy Awards: 2009, 2012
- Photography: Published five books
- UNICEF Role: Goodwill Ambassador
Questions readers ask
What is the status of Jessica Lange's professional acting career?
She remains an active performer, with credits appearing in film, television, and Broadway productions into 2024.
Has Jessica Lange received awards for her acting?
Yes, she has earned an Academy Award, a Tony Award, several Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe.
Achievements
- Academy Award for Best Actress — 1995
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress — 1983
- Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress — 1976
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play — 2016
- Worked as film actor, photographer and stage actor
