Jessica Lange went from a small-town Minnesota girl to a Hollywood icon. She even battled depression but found solace in her children. As she approaches retirement, the actress has received mixed comments about her looks, but that hasn’t affected her career.
Born in 1949 in Cloquet, Minnesota, Jessica Lange’s life was conventional until she got the lead in “King Kong.” Now in her 70s, the actress has dealt with mental health struggles and strange comments from online users about Botox. But that hasn’t stopped her from going forward and living as she wants. Let’s discover more!
Lange’s Rise to Stardom
It’s rare for a new actress to make a splash in the industry so early, but Lange was so good in her first role that she was likened to several Hollywood icons, from Margaux Hemingway to Carole Lombard.
However, the actress was uncomfortable with some of these comparisons, particularly the one to Marilyn Monroe.
She stated, “Dino said I’m going to be the next Marilyn Monroe, and that really upsets me. She was a tragic figure who led a tragic life and who wasn’t taken as the serious artist she was. I don’t want to compete with her memory or with anyone.”
However, this opened many doors in the industry. The actress’s ascent to Hollywood stardom was as dramatic as the characters she would later interpret.
Lange’s early life was characterized by frequent moves due to her father’s work as a traveling salesman. This unsettled childhood perhaps contributed to her later restlessness and desire for adventure.
After studying art briefly at the University of Minnesota, Lange took a bold step by moving to Paris to study drama. Upon returning to the United States, she settled in New York, working as a model to make ends meet.
What made this possible was Lange’s smart decision to avoid repetitive characters. She didn’t want to be typecast, which was the total opposite of what many actors in her generation did.
When talks of a “King Kong” sequel arose years ago, Lange was adamant about not participating. “Artistically,” she declared, “it would be redundant.” This decision clearly paid off.
Becoming a Photographer
The Oscar winner’s artistic talents extend beyond the silver screen. In 2008, she unveiled a new facet of her creativity with the publication of her first collection of black-and-white shots, “50 Photographs.”
This book marked Lange’s official debut as a photographer, and her work quickly gained recognition.
The actress likened the experience to “having a second crop of children,” and how it was an adventure. “We spent a great deal of time together. We traveled together. We had all sorts of adventures together. So I treasured that,” Lange shared.
Interestingly, all her children, Shura, Hannah, and Walker, followed in their mother’s footsteps and pursued careers in the arts.
Lange expressed pride in their choices, saying, “I love the fact that they’ve found their own way, and found their own passion.”
Getting Backlash for Her Aging Looks
Like many actresses in Hollywood, Lange has faced scrutiny and speculation about her appearance over time.
Leave a Reply