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Barbara Hershey Biography

Birth Name:Barbara Lynn Herzstein

Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Won the 2002 CineMerit Award at the Munich Film Festival
  • Won the Los Angeles Critics Award for best supporting actress for her role in "The Portrait of a Lady․"
  • Was such a shy student that many people believed her to be deaf when she was younger
  • Started out acting in the series "Gidget․"
  • Quote: "I am afraid of being lazy and complacent․ I am afraid of taking myself too seriously․"
  • Quote: "One thing that isn't dependent on whether I'm hired or not is my love of acting, and it's been the one thing that's been a golden thread inside me, so that no matter what, I can be disappointed, and I just let myself feel that and go through it․"
  • Once went by the last name "Seagull" in honor of a bird killed during the filming of one of her projects
  • Was offered the lead role in "Fatal Attraction," but turned down the part

Awards

  • 1967Bronze Wrangler-Fictional Television Drama: winner
  • 1970Golden Laurel-Female New Face: nominated
  • 1983Best Actress-: winner
  • 1987BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1987Best Actress-: winner
  • 1987NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1988Best Actress-: winner
  • 1989CFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1989Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1989NSFC Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: winner
  • 1991Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
  • 1994Bronze Wrangler-Television Feature Film: winner
  • 1996LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 1996NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1997Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1997CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1997Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1997NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 1997OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1999Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2001IF Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2006DVDX Award-Best Supporting Actress (in a DVD Premiere Movie): winner
  • 2010SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2011Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2011BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2011COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
  • 2011COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2011Chainsaw Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2011Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2011ICS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2012CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: nominated
  • 2015Golden Reel Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2025Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Film: nominated