- Piper Laurie, a celebrated actress for roles in Carrie, Children of a Lesser God and The Hustler, passed away at 91.
- Born in 1932, Laurie had a diverse career, appearing in stage performances, television shows, and movies.
- Her role as Margaret White in Carrie earned her critical acclaim and revitalized her Hollywood career.
Piper Laurie, a renowned actress best recognized for her performances in Carrie, Children of a Lesser God, and The Hustler, has died at the age of 91. Actress’ manager, Marion Rosenberg, confirmed the news to Variety and described Laurie as “a beautiful human being and one of the great talents of our time.”
Born in Detroit in 1932, Laurie made her debut in 1950 with the movie Louisa. After appearing in several films, she shifted her focus to stage performances and television work. However, her role in The Hustler, starring opposite Paul Newman, brought her back to the big screen and earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Despite her success with The Hustler, Laurie took a long hiatus from feature films before playing the role of Margaret White in Stephen King’s Carrie. Her co-star Sissy Spacek praised Laurie’s fiery performance, calling her a “remarkable actress.” Laurie’s portrayal earned her a second Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress and led to a resurgence in her Hollywood career.
Over the following four decades, Laurie played diverse roles such as Aunt Em in Disney’s Return to Oz, Emily Boynton in the Hercule Poirot mystery Appointment with Death (1988), and Mrs. Olson in the horror movie The Faculty (1998). She also made guest appearances in popular TV series like Murder, She Wrote, The Twilight Zone, and in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks as Catherine Martell.
Her final screen roles came in 2018, in an episode of MacGyver and the crime movie White Boy Rick.
As an actress, Piper Laurie left an indelible mark on Hollywood with her unique approach to roles that went beyond typical formulas. Many colleagues and fans shared their memories and tributes upon hearing the news of her passing.
Actress Marlee Matlin reminisces about her time working with Piper, “my first onscreen mother,” and adds, “I’ll never forget her kind, sweet spirit and fierce talent.”