Piper Laurie in 2018.Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Getty
Piper Laurie— one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, known for her roles inCarrieandTwin Peaks— has died. She was 91.
Laurie’s manager, Marion Rosenberg, confirmed to PEOPLE that “Ms. Laurie passed away this morning in Los Angeles. She basically died of old age.”
“She was an extraordinary talent and a superb human being,” Rosenberg said in a statement to PEOPLE.
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Piper Laurie inCarrie(1976).Piper Laurie inChildren of a Lesser God(1986).Piper Laurie inTwin Peaks(1990).Piper Laurie inCarrie(1976).PHOTO: United Artists/Kobal/ShutterstockPiper Laurie inChildren of a Lesser God(1986).PHOTO: Paramount PicturesPiper Laurie inTwin Peaks(1990).PHOTO: CBS Photo Archive/Getty
Piper Laurie inCarrie(1976).Piper Laurie inChildren of a Lesser God(1986).Piper Laurie inTwin Peaks(1990).
Piper Laurie inCarrie(1976).
Piper Laurie inChildren of a Lesser God(1986).
Piper Laurie inTwin Peaks(1990).
Piper Laurie inCarrie(1976).PHOTO: United Artists/Kobal/ShutterstockPiper Laurie inChildren of a Lesser God(1986).PHOTO: Paramount PicturesPiper Laurie inTwin Peaks(1990).PHOTO: CBS Photo Archive/Getty
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Born Rosetta Jacobs in Detroit in 1932, Laurie made her movie debut in 1950 at 18 years old, appearing in two films that year:LouisaandThe Milkman.
The former film costarred actor-turned-eventual-PresidentRonald Reagan, with whom Laurie said in her 2011 memoirLearning to Live Out Loudshe had a romantic relationship.
“When I was 9, my mother asked if I’d like to be in the movies,” Laurie toldThe Wall Street Journalin 2021about her early passion for acting. “I was terrifically excited about the idea. So she mailed in a newspaper coupon and a photo of me for a contest. Meanwhile, I wrote and directed a school play.”
She went on to say it “took many years to believe in my own power,” as she suffered from anxiety while performing, and she took acting classes.
“At one point, I volunteered to perform an improv. I did well and my confidence grew,” Laurie said.
Piper Laurie in 1987.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
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In her interview withWSJ, Laurie revealed her favorite role she played over the span of her nearly 70-year career (her last roles were in 2018) was that of Margaret White, “the diabolical mother” ofSissy Spacek’s titular telekinetic character in 1976’sCarrie, based on theStephen Kingbook of the same name.
“It was the first movie I’d made in 15 years. I had fun,” she said.
She was nominated for threeAcademy Awards: forThe Hustler(1961),CarrieandChildren of a Lesser God(1986).
source: people.com
