The actress Holly Hunter celebrates 67
Her breakthrough came in 1987 with two significant roles: Edwina “Ed” McDunnough in the Coen Brothers’ comedy “Raising Arizona,” and Jane Craig in “Broadcast News,” the latter earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and in 1993 with her portrayal of Ada McGrath, a mute pianist, in Jane Campion’s “The Piano,” her performance garnered widespread acclaim, earning her the Academy Award for Best Actress, as well as BAFTA and Golden Globe awards
The actress Holly Hunter celebrates 67
The acclaimed American actress Holly Hunter, known for her portrayals of intense and often offbeat characters across both comedy and drama genres, was born on March 20, 1958, in Conyers, Georgia. She is the youngest of seven children born to Opal Marguerite, a homemaker, and Charles Edwin Hunter, a farmer and sporting goods company representative. Her passion for acting emerged early, with her first role as Helen Keller in a fifth-grade play. Hunter pursued formal education in drama at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, graduating in 1980. During her time there, she performed in various theater productions, honing her craft.
After college, Hunter moved to New York City, where a chance encounter with playwright Beth Henley in a stalled elevator led to her casting in Henley’s plays, including “Crimes of the Heart.” This collaboration marked the beginning of Hunter’s professional acting career. In 1982, she relocated to Los Angeles to pursue film opportunities. Her breakthrough came in 1987 with two significant roles: Edwina “Ed” McDunnough in the Coen Brothers’ comedy “Raising Arizona,” and Jane Craig in “Broadcast News,” the latter earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Hunter’s career reached a pinnacle in 1993 with her portrayal of Ada McGrath, a mute pianist, in Jane Campion’s “The Piano.” Her performance garnered widespread acclaim, earning her the Academy Award for Best Actress, as well as BAFTA and Golden Globe awards. Demonstrating her versatility, Hunter has taken on diverse roles in films such as “The Firm” (1993), “Copycat” (1995), “Crash” (1996), and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000). She also provided the voice for Elastigirl in the animated features “The Incredibles” (2004) and its sequel “Incredibles 2” (2018).
In addition to her film work, Hunter has made significant contributions to television. She earned Primetime Emmy Awards for her performances in “Roe vs. Wade” (1989) and “The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom” (1993). From 2007 to 2010, she starred as Grace Hanadarko in the TNT drama series “Saving Grace,” receiving critical acclaim and further Emmy nominations.
Watch Holly Hunter winning the Best Actress for “The Piano” at the 1994 Academy Awards
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