In Step
by James BradySource: Parade
Date: 2/17/2008When the as-yet-unknown Jessica Lange was cast as the big ape’s love object in the 1976 remake of King Kong, she became an overnight celebrity. Since then, she’s won two Oscars and been nominated for four other films: Frances, Country, Music Box and Sweet Dreams.
Jessica’s personal life has been just as exciting as her starring roles. Born in Minnesota and fascinated by art, she won a scholarship to the University of Minnesota. “But in second semester, when I couldn’t get into a painting class, I went for photography instead and traveled the world,” Jessica told me.
Early on in her journeys, she fell for a fellow student, Paco Grande, whom she married and lived with in his pickup. She later was involved with Bob Fosse, who cast her in All That Jazz, and dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. Since 1982, she’s lived with writer/actor Sam Shepard.
“You were with three geniuses, but the only guy you married lived in a pickup truck?” I asked impertinently.
Jessica laughed, then explained, “I was young. I was very young.”
Lange hasn’t painted since college, she said, adding: “I set my camera down for 20 years. But then Sam bought me a Leica, and I resumed shooting, mostly in black and white.
“I find photography to be the opposite of acting, so it gives me balance,” Jessica continued. “I’ve got another Leica now—not digital but with good old celluloid film—and I’m planning on publishing a book of my work.”
In the meantime, you will see more of her on film: “At the beginning of May, I start shooting an Australian drama, One More River.”
She has a film with Drew Barrymore already in the can: a new version of Grey Gardens, the oft-told story of Jackie Kennedy’s wacky cousins Big Edie and Little Edie Beale—Park Avenue debs in their youth who lived in a famous but rundown, cat-swarmed house in East Hampton, N.Y.
“We had great fun,” she said of working with Drew. “Both of those women [the Beales] had a wonderful sense of humor about them.”
This month she shares the screen with two other acclaimed actresses, Kathy Bates and Joan Allen, in a wonderfully sweet little road movie called Bonneville. It’s about three women in an antique convertible, trekking across the stunning American West.
“With so many big, male-driven movies out there, maybe it’s time for a lighthearted, non-tragedy featuring women,” Jessica said.
Brady's Bits
In addition to myriad movies, Jessica’s résumé also includes stage roles. Most recently, she was on Broadway in Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, followed by a London run in the same drama. “We had mixed reviews in New York,” admitted the straight-talking Ms. Lange. “But the show was brilliantly received in London.” And are any of her children drawn to showbiz? “No,” said Jessica. “The oldest girl is 26 and doing design work. Her sister is into the environment and creative writing. My 20-year-old son is a painter and a musician, and I keep a cabin in Minnesota. That’s our escape.”Personal
Born April 20, 1949, in Cloquet, Minn. Married to Paco Grande, 1971-81. Three children: Alexandra, 26 (with Mikhail Baryshnikov); Hanna, 23, and Walker, 20 (with Sam Shepard).Why You Know Her
She won two Academy Awards: one as Dustin Hoffman’s girl in Tootsie, the other as the stressed and sexy military wife of Tommy Lee Jones in Blue Sky.What You Don’t Know
In the upcoming film Grey Gardens, Jessica takes an unusual musical turn onscreen. “I sing in this one for the first time in my life,” she said.