Sarah Paulson Loves The Footlights
Venice Magazine December 2000 / January 2001 By Debra L. Eckerling
This January, Sarah Paulson will return to the WB's Jack & Jill with a dramatic new look. Paulson's character Elisa will switch from her long, curly blond locks to a short and sassy `do. Set for the season (and with a brand new movie co-starring with Mel Gibson), Paulson is raring to go.
Like many characters, not to mention real-life people, Paulson's Elisa is attempting to figure out her path. "[The hair change] is kind of on par with what Elisa has going on," Paulson explains, "because she's constantly trying to reinvent what it is that she wants out of life."
Paulson's known most of her life that she wanted to be an actress. "In some ways it's a blessing and in some ways it's a curse," she says. "You become solely focused on [acting] and it's hard to imagine what else you might be talented at, because you're so driven to doing that one thing.
"I live and breathe what I do, absolutely and completely," she continues. "I can't imagine doing anything else. I'm not skilled in anything else. I know a lot of people who are like, `I also really enjoy sculpting.' Well, I don't. I like to act. I like to get dressed up and act like someone else. That's what I like to do. So I couldn't be more thrilled that I get to do this every day."
Paulson is positively giddy about her part in Paramount Pictures' highly touted comedy What Women Want, starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt. She plays Gibson's assistant in this film where, after a freak accident, Gibson's character can read women's minds.
"There were so many things about [the movie] that were fun-Mel Gibson being obviously the most fun," Paulson says with a broad smile. "He's the most generous, sweet, kind, funny, hilarious man ever. I can't tell you how many times I felt like a deer in headlights every time he would just address me."
Born in Tampa, Florida, and raised on the East Coast, Paulson attended the High School of Performing Arts in New York City. Her first professional acting role was as an understudy for The Sisters Rosensweig on Broadway, and has since seen success both on and off the stage. She received rave reviews for her performance in Killer Joe, an off-Broadway play written by Tracy Letts, who is now her fiancé (the two met during the production).
Paulson's other feature credits include Garry Marshall's The Other Sister (1999) with Diane Keaton and Juliette Lewis, and Steven Rash's Held Up with Jamie Foxx which was released earlier this year. Television credits include roles in Cracker, American Gothic, and Law & Order.
As much as she enjoys the big and small screen, Paulson's first love is the stage. "I'm an instant gratification junkie," she laughs. "I like to say something, and if it's funny, I want you to laugh right now!"
©2000 to Venice Magazine
