Sissy Spacek is perhaps best known for her role as the terrifying telekinetic teen in Carrie (1976), whose crowning moment at prom sees her covered in pig’s blood.
Spacek, then a stunning 27-year-old off screen, was so convincing in her chilling title role that fans say, “she terrifies me to this day.”
Though her image may conjure feelings of fear, fans are recognizing the 74-year-old beauty, praising the star for aging naturally and not looking “abnormal with plastic surgery.”
Keep reading to learn what fans are saying about one of Hollywood’s most decorated actors!
Born Mary Elizabeth, Sissy Spacek grew up in a small Texas town, chasing around her two older brothers, who called her “Sissy.”
Now known across the globe as Sissy, the 74-year-old is likely best remembered for Oscar-nominated role as the title character in Stephen King’s Carrie.
While shooting Carrie, Spacek revealed that she really embraced the role didn’t brush her teeth or brush her hair.
“I wanted to feel really badly about myself,” Spacek explained. “There’s nothing like not washing your teeth or washing your face or brushing your teeth in the morning. I put Vaseline in my hair…That made me feel really bad about myself. And that helps with the character,” she told CBS.
In one of the scariest scenes of all times, Carrie, believed to be dead, has one final appearance at the end when her bloody arm reaches through her grave, gripping the hand of a former classmate.
Speaking with NPR about her career, Spacek – whose cousin is the late Rip Torn – said she enjoyed the fear factor of that scene: “I would go to theaters just for the last five minutes of the film to watch everyone jump out of their chairs.” She continued, “…the film ends–as (director Brian De Palma) said–about eight times. And so, you’re, people are all relaxed. The music is really beautiful and relaxing, and all of a sudden that comes up, and people just go crazy.”
Following several highly acclaimed performances in other films, Spacek, who originally wanted to be a singer, was then cast in her Oscar-winning role as Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter, singing tunes made popular by the country musician. Spacek also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Vocal Performance.
The star of The Help has played everything from a psychokinetic teenager, a killer’s love interest, a homicidal homewrecker, a single mom and about 200 other characters, earning her numerous awards–including three Golden Globes–in her more than 50 years of acting.
And in those 50 years, fans have watched her grow from a disheveled high schooler to a stunning, mature natural beauty.
“At less she doesn’t look like abnormal with plastic surgery. Pretty lady very natural,” while
another fan writes, “Beautiful inside and out brilliant actress!!”
2024 Oscars
Recently, her daughter Schuyler (born 1982) shared a photo of her family at the 2024 Oscars. In the picture, fans can see her mom and sister Madison (born 1988), along with her father Jack Fisk, an art director nominated for his work in Martin Scorsese’s 2023 film Killers of the Flower Moon.
One fan took the opportunity to share their praises to the couple, who celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2024. “Many congratulations to Sissy and Jack on their decades of marital success. If the Academy ever awards a couple on Greatest Achievement in Marriage, they get my vote.”
Spacek and Fisk married in 1974 after meeting on the set of 1973’s Badlands. They raised their two daughters on a farm, away from Hollywood, to “live a regular life with normal people around.”
But Madison, who works in production design like her dad, and Schuyler – an actor – found their way back.
Schuyler, 42, is the star of the 2022 comedy film Sam & Kate, and she’s also appeared in several TV series like Law & Order:SVU and Castle Rock. She also landed a leading role in 2024’s The Chicken Sisters, a family drama that also stars Lea Thompson and Wendie Malick.
In 2022, Schuyler was even asked to reprise her mother’s legendary role in another Carrie remake but declined the offer, saying it “just didn’t feel like the right thing for so many reasons.”
“I feel like Carrie is such an epic film as it is. So, the idea of trying to do anything else to recreate it just didn’t feel necessary,” she said.
‘Beautiful mama Sissy’
On the Instagram post that she shared March 12, 2024, Schuyler writes, “It’s hard to sum up how special this was for me.” She then describes her excitement from “cheering on” her dad and being at the Academy Awards with her mom and sister.
Fans expressed their excitement over seeing the entire family together: “Wow. What a special moment in time. There’s nothing better than celebrating your people!”
A second shares, “How extremely special!! You all look amazing! This is beautiful…all of you. Inside out.” While a third pens, “Absolutely stunning! The all-around best!”
Other fans gushed over Spacek and praised her beauty. “And your beautiful mama Sissy, my favourite actress, iconic and legendary and one of the BEST ever,” writes one, while another adds, “Sissy, you still look Fabulous.”
What are your favorite memories of Sissy Spacek in Carrie? Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story so we can hear what others have to say!
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