Helen Hunt – Academy Award Winning Actress
I got to watch a segment of CBS Sunday Morning featuring this Academy Award winner and television actress Helen Hunt who, before listening to her interview, I would’ve thought was turning down offers, working to her heart’s content and completely satisfied with her A-list status. What a surprise to find out that she is just like me in many ways.
As she so eloquently put it:
I just want to feel not alone. I want to feel like, Her too! He feels that way, too! So when I can work in a way that does that for anybody, that’s a good thing.
Whenever I see her in movies, I feel that way. Her too! I love her vulnerability which comes out in her roles and shone during her interview. Who knew that she was the 4th choice for As Good As It Gets opposite Jack Nicholson (and won the Oscar for that role!) or that she’s the 4th choice “a lot.”
All I’ve ever seen is a magnificent woman walking the red carpet, posing against logo-laden screens and smiling broadly.
But behind the scenes is a different story. Although often considered for roles in plum features, she was considered too old, too young, too pretty, not pretty enough or not virginal enough.
“They were wrong in their assessment of me!” she laughed.
Here’s how I most identify with her. Throughout it all, her two key ingredients have been “not giving up and begging.” To admit that and to have that as a strategy endeared me to her more than any awards could have. Thank you, Helen Hunt!
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Jane, this is such an important reminder to we “seasoned” women – it is all too easy to compare ourselves to others and assume, sometimes with a twinge of jealousy, that they have it made. We need to spend that same energy on being the best we can be, wherever we happen to find ourselves. You have been such an inspiration with your own honesty and vulnerability.
@ElizCottrell – Beautifully said! Thanks so much for this comment.
Jane — This is uncanny! I just read an article in the Times within the past couple of days by a woman who took up surfing as she regrouped after divorce, etc. And it was life-changing. And then I watched the trailer of Helen Hunt’s new movie, based on reading your post. Although I did a quick search for the article to share with you, I couldn’t find it. But it was excellent. The “not giving up” theme rang out loud and clear.
@Diane – So, are you taking up surfing??? 🙂