US actress Piper Laurie, renowned for her roles in iconic films such as “The Hustler” and “Carrie,” has passed away at the age of 91, according to her manager Marion Rosenberg. Laurie was a three-time Oscar nominee and died at her Los Angeles home.
Rosenberg praised Laurie as “a superb talent and a wonderful human being,” highlighting the depth of her contributions to the entertainment industry.
Beyond her successful acting career, Laurie took a 15-year hiatus to actively engage in the civil rights movement. Her return to acting resulted in an Oscar nomination for her performance in the film “Carrie.”
Piper Laurie, originally named Rosetta Jacobs, was born in Detroit, Michigan, to parents of Russian and Polish heritage. She was discovered by Universal Studios at the age of 17, earning her a contract and her stage name, Piper Laurie. However, she grew frustrated with being typecast in the industry and left Hollywood to pursue different roles in New York.
During her break from acting, Laurie focused on civil rights activism and protested against the Vietnam War. She also tied the knot with film critic Joe Morgenstern and had a daughter.
Laurie’s career spanned across various mediums, including television, where she appeared in shows like “Matlock,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and portrayed George Clooney’s character’s mother on “ER.”
-BBC-
