BHM Spotlight: Octavia Spencer

Photo: Bestdamncreativewritingblog

February is the special month in which we honor and celebrate African-Americans, past and present, for all their accomplishments in a variety of fields: music, television, film, fashion, business and so much more. Here at Glambergirlblog we want to do things a little bit different. Everyday throughout this month we will spotlight some of the glamberous African-Americans in the entertainment industry.

The 85th Academy Awards is taking place on Sunday, February 24, so in order to prepare, throughout the weekend Black History Month Spotlight, BHM, is going Oscar gold and celebrating some of the past and present Oscar worthy ladies. Octavia Spencer proved she had the acting chops to win the gold!

Studying English and Theater Arts at Auburn University, Octavia was told by her mother to focus on a more practical career than acting so she chose to focus on working behind the scenes by helping casting films. However in 1995 she received her big break in the film “A Time To Kill.” She had a small role but actress Sandra Bullock was impressed so much by her work on the film that she invited her to work on her small film “Making Sandwiches” three years later.

Octavia continued to land small roles in film and television such as: “Bad Santa,” Ugly Betty, “Dinner For Schmucks,” and “Chicken Party.” It wasn’t until 2009 that Octavia began to gain recognition. She was named one of Entertainment Weekly’s 25 Funniest Actresses in Hollywood and by 2011 she was household name for her role as Minny Jackson in best-selling book turned film “The Help.” That award season she swept the Best Supporting Actress categories at the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. Octavia is a prime example that by never giving up you’ll eventually receive the gold.

Fun Fact About Octavia Spencer: Octavia was working as a casting assistant on the film “A Time To Kill” in 1995 when she was asked by the director to audition for a small role; she got it!