Octavia Spencer filmography and biography
Date of birth: 25 May 1972, Montgomery, Alabama, USA
Octavia Spencer biography
Spencer is a native of Montgomery, Alabama; which, she claims is the
proverbial buckle of the Bible belt. She's the sixth of seven siblings
and holds a BS in Liberal Arts from Auburn University. A "closet" lover
of acting, this practical Alabamian knew that she'd someday work in the
film industry, but never dreamed it would be in front of the camera. In
1995, acclaimed director Joel Schumacher changed all that by giving her
a small part opposite Sandra Bullock in the hit film A Time to Kill,
and Spencer was on her way. In 1996, she teamed up with Bullock again
in Bullock's directorial debut of Making Sandwiches, a short film that
premiered at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival.
Spencer made her stage debut in Los Angeles and originated the role of
"LaSonia" (pronounced lasagna) in famed writer/director Del Shore's,
The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife, starring
opposite veteran actors Beth Grant, Dale Dickey and David Steen (2003).
The play garnered Spencer and her fellow cast mates critical acclaim
and a bevy of awards. Since then, Spencer has continued to see success
as an actor in both film and television, working alongside Hollywood's
elite. In February 2009, she was lauded by Los Angeles Times
publication: The Envelope, for her brief but memorable performance in
the Will Smith drama Seven Pounds.
Spencer is now known for her comedic timing and was named by
EntertainmentWeekly.com in their esteemed list: 25 Funniest Actresses
in Hollywood (April 2009).