Piper Laurie–best known to genre fans for her Oscar-nominated role of Margaret White in 1976’s Carrie–has passed away from a long illness, according to a report on Deadline. Laurie was 91.
In Brian De Palma’s big-screen adaptation of the classic Stephen King novel Carrie, Laurie portrayed Sissy Spacek’s ultra-religious mother. Spacek once referred to Laurie as a “remarkable actress. She never does what you expect her to do. She always surprises you with her approach to a scene.”
Born Rosetta Jacobs, Laurie moved with her family to Los Angeles when he was six years old. She made her film debut–with her stage name of Piper Laurie–in 1950’s Louisa, playing Ronald Reagan’s daughter. Laurie’s other key movie roles included another Oscar-nominated part in 1961’s The Hustler (opposite Paul Newman) and playing Marlee Matlin’s mother in 1986’s Children of a Lesser God.
Laurie also conquered the small screen, garnering nine Emmy Award nominations–including two noms (in 1990 and 1991) for Twin Peaks.
Survivors include her daughter, Anna. No memorial plans have been revealed.
The staff of Horror News Network extends its condolences to Laurie’s family, friends and colleagues.
