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Barbara Hershey

Highest Rated: 96% The Right Stuff (1983)

Lowest Rated: 0% 9 Bullets (2022)

Birthday: Feb 5, 1948

Birthplace: Hollywood, California, USA

Born Barbara Lynn Herzstein in Hollywood on Feb. 5, 1948, she was the youngest of three children. Although painfully shy in school, Barbara was immediately drawn to acting, and would perform constantly for her family at home. When she came out of her shell around age 10, Hershey proved to be an exceptional student, and later, a talented performer in several stage productions with the drama department at Hollywood High School. After a supportive drama coach at the school sent her to meet an agent, the budding thespian landed her first professional role with one of several appearances on television's "Gidget" (ABC, 1965-66), starring Sally Field and then landed leading roles in features such as "With Six You Get Eggroll" (1968) and "Last Summer" (1969). Cast alongside Bruce Davidson and Richard Thomas, she played the third point of an adolescent triangle into whose midst an idealistic young outsider (Catherine Burns) enters, with grim results. During production of the film Hershey accidently killed a seagull being used in the movie. Later stating that at that moment she "felt her spirit enter me," Hershey changed her stage name to "Seagull" soon afterward, out of a sense of moral obligation. However, movie producers and studio executives were far from enthusiastic about her new nom de guerre. That same year, the actress went on to appear in the Glenn Ford Western "Heaven with a Gun" (1969) with David Carradine. During filming, she and Carradine began a romantic relationship and shortly afterward began living together. With Carradine's star on the rise, Hershey's work was largely overshadowed. Following a string of supporting roles in less-than-memorable theatrical releases, Hershey starred as the title character in director Martin Scorsese's first feature film, "Boxcar Bertha" (1972). Another fortuitous by-product came about during the filming, when Hershey gave Martin Scorsese a copy of her favorite novel, Nikos Kazantzakis' "The Last Temptation of Christ." She told the young director that she someday hoped to play the part of Mary Magdalene, the prostitute who invoked lust in a resistant Jesus Christ. Sixteen years later, Hershey would do just that when Scorsese made the controversial film for Universal Pictures, which evoked an unprecedented storm of protest. Hershey and Carradine became poster children for the Hollywood anti-establishment movement of the 1970s during the course of their six-year relationship. In 1972, she and Carradine gave birth to a son. Hershey raised eyebrows - and the ire of sensors - when she casually began breast feeding her son while sitting for an interview on "The Dick Cavett Show" (CBS, 1969-1975), an incident that further ostracized her from the Hollywood establishment. Now officially credited as "Barbara Seagull," the actress went on to appear in a few low-budget pictures, including another alongside Carradine, as well as an episode of his hit series "Kung Fu" (ABC , 1972-75). Hershey attempted to distance herself from her wild child past and dropped the surname of "Seagull" for her next film. That next project, the Charlton Heston Western requiem "The Last Hard Men" (1976), was a respectable effort, but did little to quell Hollywood's uneasiness with Hershey's recent "flower girl" persona. After an acting break, Hershey gradually began to make a career comeback with well-received television performances, including the espionage thriller "A Man Called Intrepid" (NBC, 1979), starring David Niven. She followed by taking over the role originated by Deborah Kerr in "From Here to Eternity" (NBC, 1980). Her stock rose considerably with her supporting turn in the reality-twisting action-adventure "The Stunt Man" (1980), starring Peter O'Toole in an Oscar-nominated performance as a megalomaniacal movie director. Never one to shy away from putting herself in uncomfortable onscreen situations, Hershey went on to portray a woman tormented and raped by a sadistic evil spirit in "The Entity" (1982). While the production was not a box-office hit, its controversial subject matter combined with her inarguably brave performance sparked discussion and put Hershey back in the consciousness of the movie-going public, and more importantly, of filmmakers. Committed to maintaining a low-profile in her personal life, Hershey hit her professional stride at the dawn of 1980s when she played the wife of legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager in "The Right Stuff" (1983). In the Barry Levinson-directed "The Natural" (1984), Hershey embodied the psychotic femme fatale who, mantis-like, attempts to kill the titular baseball hero (Robert Redford) after seducing him. Two years later, she had an onscreen affair with Michael Caine as one of the eponymous siblings in Woody Allen's beloved comedy-drama "Hannah and Her Sisters" (1986). That same year, she was in the film "Hoosiers" (1986), and then reteamed with director Levinson for "Tin Men" (1987. Hershey then became the first actress to win two back-to-back Best Actress awards at the Cannes Film Festival for her performances in "Shy People" (1987) and "A World Apart" (1988). Things came full circle for her when Scorsese - by now one of cinema's most critically acclaimed directors - granted Hershey's earlier wish and cast her as Mary Magdalene in "The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988). Then, in stark contrast to her work with Scorsese, Hershey starred alongside Bette Midler in "Beaches" (1988). Now at the pinnacle of her game, the actress took leading roles in two of the more celebrated made-for-television movies of the time. First came "A Killing in a Small Town" ( CBS , 1990) - a role that earned her an Emmy Award for Best Actress. Next came "Paris Trout" ( Showtime, 1991), in which she played opposite Dennis Hopper. Hershey's performance earned her yet another Emmy nomination for Lead Actress. Working steadily in both film and television, she starred with the biggest leading men of the early-1990s in projects that included "Defenseless" (1991), with Shepard; the Joe Pesci tabloid noir "The Public Eye " (1992); the Michael Douglas potboiler "Falling Down" (1993); and the Western miniseries "Return to Lonesome Dove" ( CBS, 1993), which cast Hershey alongside Jon Voight. Hershey gave a hilariously naughty performance in the dark romantic comedy, "The Pallbearer" (1996). Later that year, she co-starred in "Portrait of a Lady" (1996), a portrayal that earned her Best Supporting Actress awards from both the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the National Society of Film Critics. She later co-starred with Naveen Andrews in "Drowning on Dry Land" (1999). More impactful than the film's theatrical showing was the romance that blossomed between Hershey and her co-star, despite an age difference of more than 20 years. The veteran actress took on a recurring role as Dr. Francesca Alberghetti for the final two seasons of the medical drama "Chicago Hope" (CBS, 1994-2000). Hershey later portrayed true-crime writer Ann Rule in the TV movie "Ann Rule Presents: The Stranger Beside Me" (USA, 2003). She joined an ensemble cast that included Hilary Swank, Rachael Leigh Cook and Patrick Swayze for the drama "11:1" (2004), then played in Stephen King's "Riding the Bullet" (2004). From there it was another roll of the dice with series TV as a regular on the primetime soap "The Mountain" (The WB, 2004-05). The actress' longest lasting romantic association came to an end in 2010 when, after an earlier brief separation - during which time Andrews fathered a child by another woman - he and Hershey officially ended their 11-year relationship. Professionally, Hershey continued to excel as she earned acclaim for her turn as the overbearing mother of a high-strung ballerina in "Black Swan" (2010). The following year, she appeared in the horror feature "Insidiou." In 2012, Hershey joined the cast of the "Once Upon a Time" ABC, 2011-18) as Cora, the Evil Queen. She subsequently turned up in her first movie sequel with a featured part in "Insidious: Chapter 2" (2013), which, like the initial installment, proved to be both scary and successful. Hershey continued her exploration of horror with a supporting role in the series "Damien" (A+E 2016), a modern update of the story begun in "The Omen" (1976). More recently, Hershey has had roles in "The Manor" (2021), "9 Bullets" (2022) and has a couple of projects in the works.

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Highest rated movies

96% 90% The Right Stuff
Watchlist
95% 85% Strange Darling Watchlist
91% 88% Hoosiers
Watchlist
91% 81% A World Apart
Watchlist
91% 75% 11:14 Watchlist 91% 90% Hannah and Her Sisters Watchlist
90% 73% The Stunt Man
Watchlist
90% 82% Lantana
Watchlist
85% 84% Black Swan Watchlist
83% 88% The Natural
Watchlist

Filmography

Movies

Credit
95% 85% Strange Darling Genevieve (Character) - 2023
0% 42% 9 Bullets Unknown (Character) - 2022
62% 33% The Manor Judith Albright (Character) - 2021
34% 49% Insidious: The Last Key Lorraine Lambert (Character) $67.3M 2018
38% 39% The 9th Life of Louis Drax Violet Drax (Character) - 2016
No Score Yet 92% The Natural: The Best There Ever Was Harriet Bird / Herself (Character) - 2015
No Score Yet 77% Sister Susan Presser (Character) - 2014
38% 57% Insidious: Chapter 2 Lorraine Lambert (Character) $83.6M 2013
No Score Yet 46% Left to Die Sandra Chase (Character) - 2012
9% 36% Answers to Nothing Marilyn (Character) $22.0K 2011
66% 62% Insidious Lorraine Lambert (Character) $54.0M 2010
85% 84% Black Swan Erica Sayers/The Queen (Character) $107.0M 2010
No Score Yet 80% Albert Schweitzer Helene Schweitzer (Character) - 2009
No Score Yet 64% Uncross the Stars Hilda (Character) - 2009
No Score Yet 46% Nick Nolte: No Exit Self - 2008
No Score Yet No Score Yet Childless Natalie (Character) - 2008
No Score Yet 40% Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning Older Anne Shirley (Character) - 2008
No Score Yet 54% The Bird Can't Fly Melody (Character) - 2007
70% 50% Love Comes Lately Rosalie (Character) $77.5K 2007
No Score Yet No Score Yet Paradise Elizabeth Paradise (Character) - 2004
23% 34% Riding the Bullet Jean Parker (Character) $101.1K 2004
No Score Yet 43% The Stranger Beside Me Ann Rule (Character) - 2003
91% 75% 11:14 Norma (Character) - 2003
No Score Yet 44% Hunger Point Marsha Hunter (Character) - 2003
No Score Yet 81% Daniel Deronda Unknown (Character) - 2002
90% 82% Lantana Valerie (Character) $4.5M 2001
No Score Yet No Score Yet Dream Work Unknown (Character) - 2001
No Score Yet 38% Drowning on Dry Land Kate (Character) - 1999
27% 31% Breakfast of Champions Celia Hoover (Character) $175.4K 1999
No Score Yet 69% Outer Space Unknown (Character) - 1999
No Score Yet No Score Yet Passion Rose Grainger (Character) - 1999
27% 25% Frogs for Snakes Eva Santana (Character) $20.7K 1998
No Score Yet 86% The Staircase Mother Madalyn (Character) - 1998
80% 72% A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries Marcella Willis (Character) $1.8M 1998
47% 51% The Portrait of a Lady Madame Serena Merle (Character) $3.7M 1996
48% 18% The Pallbearer Ruth Abernathy (Character) $5.7M 1996
69% 80% Last of the Dogmen Prof. Lillian Diane Sloan (Character) $6.5M 1995
No Score Yet 71% Abraham Unknown (Character) - 1994
43% 31% A Dangerous Woman Frances Beechum (Character) $1.1M 1993
7% 38% Splitting Heirs Duchess Lucinda (Character) $3.0M 1993
56% 79% Swing Kids Frau Müller (Character) $5.4M 1993
75% 84% Falling Down Beth (Character) $40.4M 1993
61% 51% The Public Eye Kay Levitz (Character) $3.0M 1992
No Score Yet No Score Yet Stay the Night Jimmie Sue Finger (Character) - 1992
No Score Yet 37% Defenseless Thelma "T.K." Knudsen Katwuller (Character) $6.4M 1991
No Score Yet 58% Paris Trout Hanna Trout (Character) - 1991
No Score Yet 65% A Killing in a Small Town Candy Morrison (Character) - 1990
55% 53% Tune in Tomorrow... Aunt Julia (Character) - 1990
91% 81% A World Apart Diana Roth (Character) $557.2K 1988
42% 88% Beaches Hillary Whitney Essex (Character) $56.4M 1988
82% 84% The Last Temptation of Christ Mary Magdalene (Character) $8.2M 1988
82% 64% Tin Men Mrs. Nora Tilley (Character) $25.3M 1987
64% 79% Shy People Ruth (Character) $7.4K 1987
No Score Yet No Score Yet Passion Flower Julia Gaitland (Character) - 1986
91% 90% Hannah and Her Sisters Lee (Character) $37.3M 1986
91% 88% Hoosiers Myra Fleener (Character) $25.8M 1986
No Score Yet 60% My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn Lili Damita (Character) - 1985
83% 88% The Natural Harriet Bird (Character) - 1984
96% 90% The Right Stuff Glennis Yeager (Character) - 1983
62% 62% The Entity Carla Moran (Character) - 1982
No Score Yet 50% Take This Job and Shove It J.M. Halstead (Character) - 1981
No Score Yet 40% Americana Jess's daughter (Character) - 1981
90% 73% The Stunt Man Nina Franklin (Character) - 1980
No Score Yet No Score Yet From Here to Eternity: Pearl Harbor Karen Holmes (Character) - 1980
No Score Yet No Score Yet From Here to Eternity: Island and Homecoming Karen Holmes (Character) - 1980
No Score Yet No Score Yet From Here to Eternity: Aftermath and Revenge Karen Holmes (Character) - 1980
No Score Yet No Score Yet From Here to Eternity: Crossroads and Secrets Karen Holmes (Character) - 1980
No Score Yet No Score Yet Angel on My Shoulder Julie (Character) - 1980
No Score Yet No Score Yet A Man Called Intrepid Madelaine (Character) - 1979
No Score Yet No Score Yet A Woman Accused Ellen Lange (Character) - 1977
No Score Yet No Score Yet Just a Little Inconvenience Nikki Klausing (Character) - 1977
No Score Yet No Score Yet Sunshine Christmas Cody Blanks (Character) - 1977
No Score Yet 52% The Last Hard Men Susan Burgade (Character) - 1976
No Score Yet 43% Flood! Mary Cutler (Character) - 1976
No Score Yet No Score Yet Dirty Knight's Work Marion Evans (Character) - 1976
No Score Yet 67% Diamonds Sally (Character) - 1975
No Score Yet No Score Yet You and Me Unknown (Character) - 1975
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Crazy World of Julius Vrooder Zanni (Character) - 1974
No Score Yet 14% Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues Susan (Character) - 1972
54% 33% Boxcar Bertha Boxcar Bertha (Character) - 1972
No Score Yet 33% The Pursuit of Happiness Jane Kauffman (Character) - 1971
No Score Yet 50% The Baby Maker Tish Gray (Character) - 1970
63% 86% The Liberation of L.B. Jones Nella Mundine (Character) - 1970
No Score Yet 70% Heaven With a Gun Leloopa (Character) - 1969
78% 73% Last Summer Sandy (Character) - 1969
No Score Yet 65% With Six You Get Eggroll Stacy Iverson (Character) - 1968

TV

Credit
55% 51% Beacon 23 Sophie (Guest Star) 2023
74% 86% The X-Files Erika Price (Guest Star) 2018
14% 82% Damien Ann Rutledge (Character) 2016
78% 78% Once Upon a Time Unknown (Guest Star) 2012-2013 2015-2016
63% 66% Once Upon a Time in Wonderland Unknown (Guest Star) 2014
No Score Yet No Score Yet Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning Unknown (Character) 2010
No Score Yet No Score Yet Masterpiece Mystery! Unknown (Character) 2010
8% No Score Yet The Mountain Gennie Carver (Character) 2004-2005
No Score Yet No Score Yet Chicago Hope Dr. Francesca Alberghetti (Character) 1999-2000
No Score Yet No Score Yet Return to Lonesome Dove Unknown (Character) 1993
No Score Yet No Score Yet Alfred Hitchcock Presents Unknown (Character) 1985
No Score Yet 100% Kung Fu Unknown (Guest Star) 1974
No Score Yet No Score Yet Love Story Farrell Edwards (Character) 1973
No Score Yet No Score Yet The High Chaparral Unknown (Guest Star) 1968
No Score Yet No Score Yet Daniel Boone Unknown (Guest Star) 1967
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Monroes Kathy Monroe (Character) 1966-1967
No Score Yet No Score Yet Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre Casey Holloway (Character) 1966
No Score Yet No Score Yet Gidget Ellen (Guest Star) 1965-1966
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Farmer's Daughter Lucy (Guest Star) 1966