Jamie Lee Curtis, an American actress, author, and activist, has carved a unique and enduring place in both the film industry and the hearts of audiences worldwide. Born on November 22, 1958, in Santa Monica, California, she hails from a family of Hollywood royalty. Her parents, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, were both celebrated actors, but Jamie Lee Curtis has forged her own path, becoming an icon in her own right.
Curtis’ breakthrough role came in 1978 with the horror classic “Halloween,” where she played Laurie Strode. Her performance in this film not only set a new standard for horror film heroines but also earned her the title of “scream queen.” However, her talent and versatility quickly transcended this genre. Over the years, Curtis has demonstrated a remarkable range, excelling in various genres including comedy, drama, and action. Her performances in films like “Trading Places” (1983), “A Fish Called Wanda” (1988), and “True Lies” (1994) received critical acclaim and showcased her ability to tackle diverse roles with ease.
Beyond her acting career, Curtis is also a successful author, having written numerous children’s books. Her books often carry messages of self-acceptance, love, and kindness, reflecting her own values and worldview. Curtis’ writing, much like her acting, resonates with a wide audience, endearing her to fans of all ages.
As an activist, Curtis is known for her candidness and advocacy on various issues. She has been open about her struggles with addiction and recovery, using her experience to help others facing similar challenges. Her work in this field and her advocacy for children’s hospitals and human rights causes further highlight her commitment to making a positive impact off-screen.
Jamie Lee Curtis, the beloved actress known for her incredible talent, opens up about the challenges that have shaped her journey. In a candid interview, she reveals the personal struggles that have touched her life.
A Complex Family Legacy
Growing up, Curtis was deeply influenced by her father, Tony Curtis, a Hollywood legend with a troubled past. Reflecting on her father’s legacy, she acknowledges, “My father leaves me with a legacy of having been in a lot of pain in his life.” This glimpse into her family’s complexities sheds light on the hardships she has faced.
A Profound Loss
At the age of 19, Curtis experienced a devastating loss when her brother, Nicholas Curtis, passed away due to addiction. She shares, “I was 19 when my brother died of a heroin overdose.” This tragic event marked a turning point in her life and left a lasting impact on her journey.
Overcoming Personal Battles
Bravely confronting her own struggles, Curtis has triumphed over addiction. She admits, “I’m breaking the cycle that has basically destroyed the lives of generations in my family.” Her determination to rise above the challenges she has faced is truly inspiring.
The One Request Kristen Wiig Made On SNL While Parodying Jamie Lee Curtis’ Commercials
Kristen Wiig made a request behind-the-scenes after filming a skit where she impersonated a famous actress.
Saturday Night Live has been a source of comedy gold for generation upon generation. The sketch comedy show has turned some very talented comedians into household names. From Eddie Murphy to Adam Sandler, SNL is the original home to some of Hollywood’s brightest comedic stars.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that actress and comedian Kristen Wiig first stepped into America’s homes after appearing on SNL. The funny performer became known for her hilarious characters, including Penelope and the Target Clerk lady.
But there was another character Wiig portrayed that audiences wanted back for another round. This was an impersonation of a famous actress. However, when filming the second scene, Wiig requested a specific change to one key detail.
Kristen Revealed That She Was Fed Real Activia Yogurt When Parodying Jamie Lee Curtis’ Commercials
Wiig’s characters on Saturday Night Live have been both memorable and enjoyable for the audience. When Wiig spoke to Women’s Health in 2008, she shared where some of these characters came from, like Penelope.
Penelope was a character who was constantly one-upping people.
“A lot of it comes from just unconsciously observing people,” Wiig said. “Penelope is based on someone I know. It’s so far from how they act or look that they would never in a million years know. I’d say I was going to get a massage and they’d say, ‘Oh, I’m getting a massage this week. I’m getting one tomorrow.’ And I’d be like, ‘That’s a weird thing to try to one-up someone about, but OK.'”
She also shared that she loves Target as much as her Target Clerk character does.
“It’s clean,” Wiig said. “They have great things. It’s every reason you love a store.”
Similar to Penelope, Wiig told Entertainment Weekly that the Target Clerk character was inspired by a real clerk at a Target store she encountered.
“She didn’t walk away and she didn’t talk like that or look like that,” Wiig said. “She just said a word kind of funny that got me to talk that way.”
One of Wiig’s most memorable characters, however, wasn’t a fictional creation. It was actually an impression of actress Jamie Lee Curtis.
Wiig parodied Curtis’ commercials for the Activia digestive yogurt brand. Wiig first appeared in a skit alongside Ashton Kutcher and Amy Poehler, where Curtis has an accident during filming. The skit was received so well, that Wigg played Curtis again in another skit.
However, Wiig revealed to Entertainment Weekly that she actually ate multiple cups of real Activia yogurt to film the skit. She asked them to switch to regular yogurt for the second skit.
“Then I told them it was a bad idea,” Wiig said, “that’s how I’m going to word that. It works. Now they fill it with regular yogurt.”
Kristen Talked To Will Forte In Preparation For Her ‘Saturday Night Live’ Audition
Before Wiig began her journey as an actress and comedian, she told Women’s Health about the moment she decided she wanted to pursue this career.
“It was the day before I was about to start,” she began. “I was living in a house with three other girls, who were gone for the summer, so it was just me. I remember looking around and thinking, ‘I don’t want this to be my life.’ Then I looked in the mirror and was like, ‘OK, if you could do anything, what would it be?’ And I thought, ‘I would move to L.A. Just try to act.'”
“Even though I’d only ever taken one acting class. The next day, the Jetta was packed and I was gone, freaking out the whole way.”
When speaking to The New York Times in 2013, she revealed she talked to Will Forte before her audition and was prepped by her manager beforehand.
“I talked to Will Forte [in preparation],” Wiig said. “My manager had some of her other clients audition, so she knew the deal. I was told: ‘You’re going to be in a dark room. Don’t be thrown off if they don’t laugh. You don’t need wigs or props. Just do five minutes.'”
Wigg ended up buying a stopwatch, because she was nervous her audition would go past five minutes. However, she later learned some auditions lasted 11 minutes. Regardless, Wiig’s initial audition went well and she was asked to stay an extra day and meet SNL creator Lorne Michaels.
Kristen Said That She Feels Safer Playing A Character Than She Does Socializing With People
When Wiig was called back to audition a second time, she was unsure of what to do.
“I’m not a stand-up, so I don’t ever perform onstage by myself,” Wiig said. “This was: “’Hi, I’m Kristen. Here’s my stuff.’ The only light in the room is on you. You hear voices, and you see the red light on the camera go on, and you just have to do it. It made me have such a stronger respect for comedians — people that just get up there with a microphone and talk to the audience. To me, that’s just terrifying.”
Despite being a terrifying experience, Wiig said that performing on stage as a character is much more comfortable than speaking on stage as herself.
“I’m actually not very good at public speaking or talking in a big group—even socially—as myself,” Wiig told NPR. “Playing a character is much safer to me. So getting up and someone telling me to do a monologue as a character, I could talk for 10 minutes. But if someone told me to get up and be myself and talk, I would have a much harder time with that.”
