Grace Zabriskie
Grace Zabriskie (née Caplinger; born May 17, 1941) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Sarah Palmer in Twin Peaks (1990–1991; 2017) and its film prequel Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992), Lois Henrickson in Big Love, as well as in cult films such as two of David Lynch's films: Juana Durango in Wild at Heart (1990) and Visitor #1 in Inland Empire (2006). Other film roles include Nickel Mountain (1984), Child's Play 2 (1990), and The Grudge (2004). She is also known for her recurring roles in Seinfeld and Charmed.
Grace Zabriskie | |
|---|---|
| Born | Grace Caplinger[1] May 17, 1941[2] New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
Zabriskie was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the daughter of Marion Grace (née Zabriskie), of Wyckoff, New Jersey, and Roger Thomas "Tom" Caplinger.[3] Her mother had distant Polish and Dutch ancestry,[4] and was a relative of James Zabriskie, a 19th-century railroad industrialist and early pioneer of California.[5] Zabriskie has said that her family was visited by Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal and Truman Capote during her childhood.[6] Her father owned the famous French quarter gay bar, Cafe Lafitte in Exile.[1]
In the early 1960s, Zabriskie was among a circle of Kerry Thornley's New Orleans friends. At one point, Thornley began work on a novel about her called Can Grace Come Out and Play?[1] Thornley later claimed to have had an "eight-year-long, off-again-on-again, affair/friendship/rivalry/ego-game/karmic unraveling" with her, though Zabriskie described it as "four and a half minutes in bed" after a discussion on the exclusion of sex from their friendship—shared with Zabriskie's then-husband, Rob—as being "irrational".[7]
Her sister, Lane Caplinger, worked as a typist in New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison's office. Caplinger is reputed to have covertly produced all five copies of the first edition of the Principia Discordia in 1965.[8]
Career
After making her major film debut in 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 The Private Eyes, Debra Winger's mother in An Officer and a Gentleman, Heather Langenkamp's mother in Nickel Mountain, and Paul Le Mat's mother in The Burning Bed (starring Farrah Fawcett). She had a small but crucial part in the fifth season finale of Knots Landing.
She 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 appeared on David Lynch's 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 neighbor 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 starred as Lois Henrickson in Big Love, an HBO drama series that seriously explored the issue of polygamy,[9] and appeared twice in 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 appeared in the 2004 American remake of The Grudge, in which she played a senile elderly woman sensitive to the paranormal occurrences in her home.
In 2020, she starred in the music video for Grouplove's "Youth".[10] directed by Christopher Blauvelt.
Personal life
In her early twenties, Zabriskie and her then-husband, Rob, "had an intense friendship, which graduated, or from another point of view disintegrated into more of a friendship between" Zabriskie and Kerry Thornley; this friendship was "centered around an intense shared love for and fascination with the philosophy of Ayn Rand".[11]
Zabriskie is the mother of two daughters; Helen, who became an actress, and Marion Lane, a painter. In 1993, Helen died of Hodgkin's disease.[12] Marion died in 2019 aged 56 of cancer.[13]
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 Pokrifki | |
| 1984 | Nickel Mountain | Ellie Wells | |
| 1984 | Body Rock | Chilly's Mother | |
| 1986 | The Big Easy | Mama | |
| 1987 | Rampage | Naomi Reece | |
| 1987 | Leonard Part 6 | Jefferson | |
| 1988 | The 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 | The Waterdance | Pat | |
| 1992 | FernGully: The Last Rainforest | Narrator/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 | The Last Laugh | Louise | Short film |
| 1994 | The Crew | Gloria Pierce | |
| 1994 | Drop Zone | Winona | |
| 1995 | Desert Winds | Jackie's Mother | |
| 1995 | The Passion of Darkly Noon | Roxy | |
| 1996 | A 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 | A Texas Funeral | Murtis | |
| 1999 | Me and Will | Edith | |
| 2000 | Home the Horror Story | Grace Parkinson | |
| 2000 | A 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 | The Wind Effect | Allison | Short film |
| 2004 | The Last Letter | Mrs. Stella Allison | |
| 2004 | Chrystal | Gladys | |
| 2004 | The 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 | The 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 | Margaret | a.k.a. Never My Love |
| 2015 | Only Child | Delores | |
| 2015 | Christmas at Rosemont | Josephine | |
| 2019 | Polaroid | Lena Sable | |
| 2021 | Cryptozoo | Joan (voice) |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | The 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 | Emily | TV movie |
| 1981 | East of Eden | Mrs. Catherine Ames | TV miniseries |
| 1981 | Hart to Hart | Ethyl | Episode: "A Couple of Harts" |
| 1982 | The 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 | The 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 | The 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 | A Deadly Silence | Psychologist | TV movie |
| 1989 | Moonlighting | Rita | Episode: "In 'N Outlaws"; uncredited |
| 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 | A House of Secrets and Lies | Ruby | TV movie |
| 1992, 1996–1998 | Seinfeld | Mrs. Ross | 5 episodes |
| 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 | Dr. Kester | TV movie |
| 1993 | Sirens | Female Store Owner | Episode: "Keeping the Peace" |
| 1993 | Angel Falls | Cuema | Episode: "Fall from Grace" |
| 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 | A Promise to Carolyn | Francie Harper | TV movie |
| 1996 | Second Noah | Mrs. Cheval | Episode: "Stormy Weather" |
| 1996 | Murder at My Door | Grandma | TV movie |
| 1996 | The Burning Zone | Retired CIA Agent | Episode: "Touch of the Dead" |
| 1997 | NYPD Blue | Millie Banks | Episode: "A Remington Original" |
| 1997 | High Incident | Mattie | Episode: "Remote Control" |
| 1997 | Over the Top | Dolly | Episode: "The Southern Story" |
| 1997 | The Devil's Child | Rose DeMarco | TV movie |
| 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 | The King of Queens | Veronica | Episode: "S'ain't Valentine's" |
| 2000 | Jesse | Grandma Rose | Episode: "Jesse Gives Birth" |
| 2000 | The West Wing | Isobel | Episode: "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen: Part II" |
| 2002 | The Guardian | Judith | Episode: "The Dead" |
| 2002 | The 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 | 4 episodes |
| 2017 | Santa Clarita Diet | Mrs. Baković | 2 episodes |
| 2017 | Twin Peaks | Sarah Palmer | 6 episodes |
| 2018 | The Alienist | John's Grandmother | 4 episodes |
| 2018 | Ballers | Enid | 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Hot Streets | Senkah (voice) | Episode: "Super Agent 2" |
| 2022 | Mike | Camille D'Amato |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | The Quarry | Eliza Vorez | Voice, motion capture and likeness |
|- |1994 |Voyeur |Margaret Hawke |Actress (FMV) |}
References
- ^ a b c Gorightly, Adam (2003). The Prankster and the Conspiracy. New York: Paraview Press. p. 265. ISBN 1-931044-66-X.
- ^ "Zabriskie, Grace 1941–". Encyclopedia.com. Cengage.
- ^ "New Orleans native Grace Zabriskie concludes a long goodbye to 'Big Love's' Lois". NOLA.com. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
- ^ "Historic Reflections from the Polish American Cultural Center Museum in Philadelphia, PA" (PDF). Polish American News. April–May 2012. p. 10.
- ^ Wanda Tomczykowska. The Silent Heroes: Polish Contributions to California. Polish Arts and Culture Foundation, 1994
- ^ . Archived from the original on April 20, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
- ^ Gorightly, Adam (October 3, 2014). "Kerry Thornley's Paranoid Flash". Historia Discordia. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
- ^ Gorightly, Adam (2014). Historia Discordia The Origins of the Discordian Society. New York: RVP Press. p. 221. ISBN 978-1-61861-321-9.
- ^ Sellers, John. "The Zabriskie Principle: Why the Big Love Finale Wasn't Really a Shocker", The Wrap, March 21, 2011.
- ^ "Grouplove Taps a 'Twin Peaks' Icon for New 'Youth' Video". Papermag.com. March 4, 2020.
- ^ "Kerry Thornley's Paranoid Flash—Historia Discordia".
- ^ "Mother, daughter unite to transform paintings to boxes". Daily Bruin. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
- ^ "LAUNCH LA announces the death of Marion Lane at the age of 56".
External links
- (Archive)
- Grace Zabriskie at IMDb