Barbara Hershey

Biography

Barbara Hershey, originally named Barbara Lynn Herzstein, was born on February 5, 1948, in the United States. With a remarkable career that has spanned over five decades, Hershey has showcased her versatility through a diverse array of roles across television and film, covering genres from westerns to comedies. She embarked on her acting journey at the young age of 17 in 1965 but gained significant recognition during the late 1980s, when the Chicago Tribune hailed her as "one of America's finest actresses."

Hershey's talent earned her an Emmy and a Golden Globe for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries/TV Film for her compelling performance in A Killing in a Small Town (1990). She also garnered Golden Globe nominations for her portrayals as Mary Magdalene in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and in The Portrait of a Lady (1996). The latter role not only earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress but also the Los Angeles Film Critics Award for the same category. Additionally, she received acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, winning Best Actress for her performances in Shy People (1987) and A World Apart (1988). Hershey's notable film credits include Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) and Garry Marshall's Beaches (1988), along with a British Academy Film Award nomination for her role in Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan (2010).