Mary Stuart Masterson: Acclaimed Actress with Over 40 Year Career

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Mary Stuart Masterson was born on June 28, 1966 in New York City. She came from an acting family - her father was director Peter Masterson and her mother was actress Carlin Glynn. At just 8 years old in 1975, Masterson made her acting debut in her father’s film The Stepford Wives. This small role marked the beginning of what would become an accomplished acting career spanning over four decades.

Transition to Adult Roles

As a teenager, Masterson continued acting in films like Heaven Help Us in 1985. However, it was her role as the rebellious Watts in At Close Range alongside Sean Penn in 1986 that signaled her transition to more mature, complex adult characters at just 19 years old. Her moving performance earned her a Best Supporting Actress award nomination from the National Board of Review.

Critical Acclaim in the Late 80s

In 1987, Masterson had her career breakout role as a self-destructive young woman in the drama Some Kind of Wonderful. Her emotional, raw performance earned widespread praise from critics. Shortly after, she earned more rave reviews for her supporting part in 1988’s Clean and Sober with Michael Keaton. Her success continued with starring roles in comedies like Immediate Family and Bloodhounds of Broadway in 1989, showing her versatile talents.

Dramatic Performances in the 90s

While Masterson had proven herself a gifted comedic actress, she took on more complex dramatic characters throughout the 1990s that further highlighted her talents. In 1991, she received acclaim for portraying real-life murder victim Dorothy Stratten opposite Eric Roberts in Star 80. She earned a Best Actress Golden Globe nomination for her tragic and vulnerable performance.

Continued Film and TV Success

Masterson went on to earn praise for roles in films like 1993’s Benny & Joon with Johnny Depp and the Oscar-nominated epic Little Women in 1994. On TV, she won a CableACE Award for her starring role in the family drama Family Pictures in 1993. She also appeared in popular 90s shows like Law & Order, Cybill, and Frasier.

Transition Behind the Camera

Later in the 1990s, Masterson began moving towards working behind the camera. She wrote, directed, and produced her first film, Rhythm Thief, in 1995. She went on to direct several episodes of the TV series Dead Man’s Gun in the late 90s before making her feature screenwriting and directorial debut with 1999’s The Book of Life.

21st Century Projects

While she continued acting with supporting roles in acclaimed films like 2001’s Benny & Joon and working steadily in independent films, much of Masterson’s career in the early 2000s centered on directing. In 2001, she directed her first big budget movie with Disney’s The Climb. She worked steadily directing episodes of TV series like Law & Order: SVU, White Collar, and Grey’s Anatomy.

Recent Years

In recent years, Masterson has enjoyed renewed success as an actress. She earned excellent reviews for portrayal of a bipolar woman in HBO’s 2017 drama The Tick and won a Gracie Award for her performance. She also appeared in acclaimed films like 2018’s Ocean’s Eight. As she enters her late 50s, Masterson remains a much sought-after film and television actress with over 40 years in the industry.

FAQs

What acting family is Mary Stuart Masterson from?

Mary Stuart Masterson comes from an acting family. Her father was film director Peter Masterson and her mother was actress Carlin Glynn. Her grandfather was also a director.

What was Mary Stuart Masterson’s breakout role?

Masterson had her career breakout role in 1987 playing a self-destructive young woman in the drama Some Kind of Wonderful, for which she earned widespread critical praise and acclaim at just 21 years old.

What award did Masterson win for her 1993 performance in Family Pictures?

For her starring role as Nina Moseley in the 1993 family drama TV movie Family Pictures, Masterson won a CableACE Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series.

What recent successes has Masterson had as an actress?

In recent years, Masterson has enjoyed renewed success and acclaim for her acting. She earned excellent reviews for her 2017 performance in HBO’s The Tick and won a Gracie Award for her role as a bipolar woman. She also appeared in the 2018 hit film Ocean’s Eight.