Grace Zabriskie
| Grace Zabriskie | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Grace Caplinger[1] May 17, 1941 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1978–present |
Grace Zabriskie (born Grace Caplinger; May 17, 1941) is an American actress. She has appeared in many popular American films, but she is best known for her work in television, including roles in the television series Twin Peaks, Seinfeld and Big Love.
Early life
Zabriskie was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the daughter of Marion Grace (Zabriskie) and Roger Thomas "Tom" Caplinger.[2] Her mother had distant Polish ancestry,[3] and was a relative of James Zabriskie, a 19th-century railroad industrialist and early pioneer of California.[4] Zabriskie has said that her family was visited by Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal and Truman Capote during her childhood.[5]
Career
After making her major film debut in 1979's Norma Rae, Zabriskie went on to appear in dozens of other works, including the 1981 Roger Corman horror film Galaxy of Terror, and the 1981 miniseries adaptation of John Steinbeck's East of Eden. She played the nanny in 1980's The Private Eyes, Debra Winger's mother in An Officer and a Gentleman and Paul Le Mat's mother in 1984's The Burning Bed (starring Farrah Fawcett). She also appeared in 1989's Drugstore Cowboy and as the ill-fated orphanage owner Grace Poole in Child's Play 2. Other movies include the 1991 film adaptation Fried Green Tomatoes and Philip Ridley's 1995 film The Passion of Darkly Noon.
Zabriskie is perhaps most familiar for her television work. After a recurring role on the soap opera Santa Barbara, she played a major role on the David Lynch series Twin Peaks and its spin-off film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me as Sarah Palmer, the eerily psychic mother of the doomed Laura Palmer. Zabriskie also appeared in Lynch's Wild at Heart — notably as the twin sister of a character played by Isabella Rossellini, an actress eleven years her junior. David Lynch later cast her as a sinister Polish neighbour in Inland Empire in 2006.
Zabriskie may best be remembered as Mrs. Ross, a recurring character on the sitcom Seinfeld. She played the mother of another doomed daughter, Susan Ross — George Costanza's fiancée — who died after licking cheap envelope adhesive when mailing out her wedding invitations. Zabriskie's character's husband on the series, who also appeared in a recurring role, was played by her former Twin Peaks co-star, Warren Frost.
She also made a brief but memorable appearance in the episode "S'ain't Valentine's" on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens, as the emotionally disturbed and alcoholic mother of Spence Olchin (played by Patton Oswalt). While the character Veronica Olchin would reappear throughout the series, Zabriskie would not portray her again, having been replaced by Anne Meara. She also stars as Lois Henrickson in Big Love, an HBO drama series that seriously explores the issue of polygamy, and appeared in several episodes of Aaron Spelling's series Charmed as The Crone.
She has worked in radio, collaborating with radio dramatist/monologist Joe Frank several times. In one episode of Frank's show, "Home (Original)", she talks at length about her childhood in New Orleans, with a focus on her father. Zabriskie recently appeared in the American remake of The Grudge, in which she played a senile elderly woman sensitive to the paranormal occurrences in her home.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | They Went That-A-Way & That-A-Way | Lem's Wife | |
| 1979 | Norma Rae | Linette Odum | |
| 1980 | The Private Eyes | Nanny | |
| 1981 | Galaxy of Terror | Captain Trantor | |
| 1982 | An Officer and a Gentleman | Esther Pokrifiki | |
| 1984 | Nickel Mountain | Ellie Wells | |
| 1984 | Body Rock | Chilly's Mother | |
| 1986 | Big Easy, TheThe Big Easy | Mama | |
| 1987 | Rampage | Naomi Reece | |
| 1987 | Leonard Part 6 | Jefferson | |
| 1988 | Boost, TheThe Boost | Sheryl | |
| 1989 | Drugstore Cowboy | Bob's Mother | |
| 1990 | Megaville | Mrs. Jessica Palinov | |
| 1990 | Wild at Heart | Juana Durango | |
| 1990 | Child's Play 2 | Grace Poole | |
| 1991 | Ambition | Mrs. Wendy Merrick | |
| 1991 | Servants of Twilight | Grace Spivey | |
| 1991 | My Own Private Idaho | Alena | |
| 1991 | Fried Green Tomatoes | Eva Bates | |
| 1992 | Waterdance, TheThe Waterdance | Pat | |
| 1992 | FernGully: The Last Rainforest | Magi Lune (voice) | |
| 1992 | Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me | Sarah Palmer | |
| 1992 | Chain of Desire | Linda Bailey | |
| 1993 | Stone Soup | Olympia | |
| 1993 | Even Cowgirls Get the Blues | Mrs. Maria Hankshaw | |
| 1994 | Last Laugh, TheThe Last Laugh | Louise | Short film |
| 1994 | Crew, TheThe Crew | Gloria Pierce | |
| 1994 | Drop Zone | Winona | |
| 1995 | Desert Winds | Jackie's Mother | |
| 1995 | Passion of Darkly Noon, TheThe Passion of Darkly Noon | Roxy | |
| 1996 | Family Thing, AA Family Thing | Ruby | |
| 1996 | Bastard Out of Carolina | Granny | |
| 1997 | Seed | Mother's Voice | Short film |
| 1997 | Psycho Sushi | Great Aunt | |
| 1997 | George B. | The Mother | |
| 1997 | Dead Men Can't Dance | Brig. Gen. Burke | |
| 1997 | Annie's Garden | Mrs. Felicity Barnes | |
| 1997 | Sparkler | Sherri | |
| 1998 | Armageddon | Dottie | |
| 1998 | Dante's View | Geraldine | |
| 1999 | Trash | Mrs. Wendy DeMarie | |
| 1999 | Texas Funeral, AA Texas Funeral | Murtis | |
| 1999 | Me and Will | Edith | |
| 2000 | Home the Horror Story | Grace Parkinson | |
| 2000 | Fate Foretold, AA Fate Foretold | Olga | Short film |
| 2000 | Puppy Love | Jeanette Foley | Short film |
| 2000 | Gone in 60 Seconds | Helen Raines | |
| 2001 | They Crawl | Mrs. Gage | |
| 2002 | R.S.V.P. | Mary Franklin | |
| 2002 | No Good Deed | Mrs. Karen Quarre | |
| 2003 | Wind Effect, TheThe Wind Effect | Allison | Short film |
| 2004 | Last Letter, TheThe Last Letter | Mrs. Stella Allison | |
| 2004 | Chrystal | Gladys | |
| 2004 | Grudge, TheThe Grudge | Emma | |
| 2004 | Sabine and the Two-Headed Baby | Sabine | Short film |
| 2006 | Inland Empire | Visitor #1 | |
| 2007 | Careless | Adrienne | |
| 2007 | License to Wed | Grandma Jones | |
| 2007 | Alternate Endings | Mom | Short film |
| 2008 | Brothel, TheThe Brothel | Madam | |
| 2009 | Bob Funk | Mrs. June Funk | |
| 2009 | My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? | Mrs. Joan McCullum | |
| 2013 | Wrong Cops | Donna | |
| 2013 | Trancers: City of Lost Angels | The Warden | Short film |
| 2014 | Blind Malice | Nanna | |
| 2014 | The Judge | Mrs. Anita Blackwell | |
| 2014 | The Makings of You | Josephine | |
| 2015 | Only Child | Delores | |
| 2015 | Rosemont | Josephine | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Million Dollar Dixie Deliverance, TheThe Million Dollar Dixie Deliverance | Widow Cummins | TV movie |
| 1979 | Concrete Cowboys | Mrs. Kate Barnaby | Episode: "Concrete Cowboys" |
| 1979 | Freedom Road | Ruth Lait | TV movie |
| 1980 | CBS Afternoon Playhouse | Episode: "Lost in Death Valley" | |
| 1980 | Blinded by the Light | TV movie | |
| 1981 | East of Eden | Mrs. Catherine Ames | TV miniseries |
| 1981 | Hart to Hart | Ethyl | Episode: "A Couple of Harts" |
| 1982 | Executioner's Song, TheThe Executioner's Song | Kathryne Baker | TV movie |
| 1983 | Tales of the Gold Monkey | Dr. Clouet | Episode: "Last Chance Louie" |
| 1983 | M.A.D.D.: Mothers Against Drunk Drivers | Silvie Alice Kohler | TV movie |
| 1983 | Cagney & Lacey | Adele | Episode: "Affirmative Action" |
| 1984 | My Mother's Secret Life | Maggie Ryan | TV movie |
| 1984 | Knots Landing | Chambermaid | Episode: "Negotiations" |
| 1984 | Burning Bed, TheThe Burning Bed | Flossie Hughes | TV movie |
| 1984 | Paper Dolls | Cathy | Episode: "1.8" |
| 1985 | ABC Afterschool Special | Mrs. Linton | Episode: "One Too Many" |
| 1985 | Santa Barbara | Theda Bassett | 17 episodes |
| 1985 | North Beach and Rawhide | Hearings Officer | TV movie |
| 1985 | Shadow Chasers | Mary Komatar | Episode: "Shadow Chasers: Part 1" |
| 1986 | Hill Street Blues | Terry Sylvestri | Episode: "Das Blues" Episode: "Scales of Justice" |
| 1986 | Cagney & Lacey | Eva Sikorski | Episode: "Model Citizens" |
| 1987 | Falcon Crest | Mabel Burton | Episode: "When the Bough Breaks" Episode: "The Cradle Will Fall" |
| 1987 | Mistress | Deanie | TV movie |
| 1988 | Bronx Zoo, TheThe Bronx Zoo | Mrs. Barris | Episode: "Ties That Bind" |
| 1988 | My Father, My Son | Mouza | TV movie |
| 1988 | Shooter | Sister Marie | TV movie |
| 1988 | Empty Nest | Eva Barrett | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1989 | The Ryan White Story | Gloria White | TV movie |
| 1989 | Unsub | Alma | Episode: "White Bone Demon" |
| 1989 | Deadly Silence, AA Deadly Silence | Psychologist | TV movie |
| 1989 | Moonlighting | (uncredited) | Episode: "In 'N Outlaws" |
| 1990 | Tales from the Crypt | Mrs. Colbert | Episode: "The Secret" |
| 1990 | Hometown Boy Makes Good | Helen Geary | TV movie |
| 1990–1991 | Twin Peaks | Sarah Palmer | 13 episodes |
| 1991 | Prison Stories: Women on the Inside | Genevieve | TV movie |
| 1991 | Blood Ties | The Woman | TV movie |
| 1991 | Intimate Stranger | Dana P. Ashley | TV movie |
| 1992 | Freshman Dorm | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 1992 | House of Secrets and Lies, AA House of Secrets and Lies | Ruby | TV movie |
| 1992 | Seinfeld | Mrs. Ross | Episode: "The Cheever Letters" |
| 1993 | Bonds of Love | Emma | TV movie |
| 1993 | Miracle Child | Adeleine Newberry | TV movie |
| 1993 | Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story | Ethel | TV movie |
| 1993 | Banner Times | Momma | TV movie |
| 1993 | Double Deception | TV movie | |
| 1993 | Sirens | Female Store Owner | Episode: "Keeping the Peace" |
| 1993 | Angel Falls | Cuema | 1 episode |
| 1994 | Lifestories: Families in Crisis | Sandy Henry | Episode: "A Body to Die For: The Aaron Henry Story" |
| 1995 | Crazy for a Kiss | Pearl Kinross | TV movie |
| 1995 | Children of the Dust | Rose | TV movie |
| 1995 | Under Suspicion | Lily Cassins | Episode: "Hostage Standoff" Episode: "Wrongful Shooting" |
| 1995 | Empty Nest | Scarlett | Episode: "Life Goes On: Part 1" Episode: "Life Goes On: Part 2" |
| 1995 | Fallen Angels | Virna | Episode: "The Black Bargain" |
| 1995 | NYPD Blue | Wanda Padzik | Episode: "The Bookie and the Kooky Cookie" |
| 1996 | Promise to Carolyn, AA Promise to Carolyn | Francie Harper | TV movie |
| 1996 | Second Noah | Mrs. Cheval | Episode: "Stormy Weather" |
| 1996 | Murder at My Door | Grandma | TV movie |
| 1996 | Burning Zone, TheThe Burning Zone | Retired CIA Agent | Episode: "Touch of the Dead" |
| 1996 | Seinfeld | Mrs. Ross | Episode: "The Rye" Episode: "The Foundation" |
| 1997 | NYPD Blue | Millie Banks | Episode: "A Remington Original" |
| 1997 | High Incident | Episode: "Remote Control" | |
| 1997 | Over the Top | Dolly | Episode: "The Southern Story" |
| 1997 | Devil's Child, TheThe Devil's Child | Rose DeMarco | TV movie |
| 1998 | Seinfeld | Mrs. Ross | Episode: "The Wizard" Episode: "The Finale" |
| 1998 | Dharma & Greg | Naomi | Episode: "It Takes a Village" |
| 1998 | Houdini | Mrs. Weiss | TV movie |
| 1998 | Profiler | Mrs. Boudreaux | Episode: "The Sum of Her Parts" |
| 1999 | King of Queens, TheThe King of Queens | Veronica | Episode: "S'ain't Valentine's" |
| 2000 | Jesse | Grandma Rose | Episode: "Jesse Gives Birth" |
| 2000 | West Wing, TheThe West Wing | Isabel | Episode: "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen: Part II" |
| 2002 | Guardian, TheThe Guardian | Judith | Episode: "The Dead" |
| 2002 | Glow, TheThe Glow | Sylvia Goodstein | TV movie |
| 2002–2003 | John Doe | Yellow Teeth | 6 episodes |
| 2003 | Charmed | The Crone | Episode: "Baby's First Demon" Episode: "Sense and Sense Ability" |
| 2005 | Medium | Connie Buckley | Episode: "The Other Side of the Tracks" |
| 2006–2011 | Big Love | Lois Henrickson | 52 episodes |
| 2013 | The Killing | Mama Dips | 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Ray Donovan | Miss Monassian | 6 episodes |
| 2016 | Outcast | Mildred | |
| 2017 | Twin Peaks | Sarah Palmer | |
References
- ↑ https://www.scribd.com/doc/64092457/THE-PRANKSTER-AND-THE-CONSPIRACY-The-Story-of-Kerry-Thornley-and-How-He-Met-Oswald-and-Inspired-the-Counterculture
- ↑ http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2011/03/nola-born_grace_zabriskie_conc.html
- ↑ http://polishamericancenter.org/PANews/April12/page10.pdf
- ↑ Wanda Tomczykowska. The Silent Heroes: Polish Contributions to California. Polish Arts and Culture Foundation, 1994
- ↑ HBO: Big Love - Interviews - Grace Zabriskie