Octavia Spencer

Actor, Producer, Director

Birthdate: May 25, 1970

Birthplace: Montgomery, Alabama, USA

Spencer is a native of Montgomery, Alabama, which she claims is the proverbial buckle of the Bible belt. She's the sixth of seven siblings and holds a BS in Liberal Arts from Auburn University. A "closet" lover of acting, this practical Alabamian knew that she'd someday work in the film industry, but never dreamed it would be in front of the camera. In 1995, acclaimed director Joel Schumacher changed all that by giving her a small part opposite Sandra Bullock in the hit film A Time to Kill, and Spencer was on her way. In 1996, she teamed up with Bullock again in Bullock's directorial debut of Making Sandwiches, a short film that premiered at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival.

Spencer made her stage debut in Los Angeles and originated the role of "LaSonia" (pronounced lasagna) in famed writer/director Del Shore's, The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife, starring opposite veteran actors Beth Grant, Dale Dickey and David Steen (2003). The play garnered Spencer and her fellow cast mates critical acclaim and a bevy of awards. Since then, Spencer has continued to see success as an actor in both film and television, working alongside Hollywood's elite. In February 2009, she was lauded by Los Angeles Times publication: The Envelope, for her brief but memorable performance in the Will Smith drama Seven Pounds.

Known For

Octavia Spencer Movies

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Previous (49)

  • 2026 |

    Tow

    asBarbara
  • 2025 |

    Smurfs

    asAsmodius
  • 2022 |
    Spirited
  • 2022 |
    The Quest for Sleep
  • 2022 |

    Spirited

    asKimberly
  • 2021 |

    Encounter

    asHattie Hayes
  • 2021 |

    Thunder Force

  • 2020 |

    Onward

    asThe Manticore
  • 2020 |

    Dolittle

    asDab-Dab
  • 2019 |

    Luce

    asHarriet Wilson
  • 2019 |

    Ma

    asSue Ann
  • 2018 |

    Instant Family

    asKaren
  • 2018 |

    A Kid Like Jake

    asJudy
  • 2017 |
    Small Town Crime
  • 2017 |

    The Shape of Water

    asZelda Fuller
  • 2017 |

    Gifted

    asRoberta
  • 2017 |

    The Shack

    asPapa
  • 2016 |
    Car Dogs
  • 2016 |
    The Free World
  • 2016 |

    Hidden Figures

    asDorothy Vaughan
  • 2016 |

    Bad Santa 2

    asOpal
  • 2015 |
    Fathers & Daughters
  • 2016 |

    Allegiant

    asJohanna
  • 2016 |

    Zootopia

    asMrs. Otterton
  • 2015 |
    The Great Gilly Hopkins
  • 2015 |

    Insurgent

    asJohanna
  • 2014 |
    Black or White
  • 2014 |

    Get on Up

    asAunt Honey
  • 2013 |
    Snowpiercer
  • 2014 |

    Snowpiercer

    asTanya
  • 2013 |
    Lost on Purpose
  • 2013 |

    Fruitvale Station

    asWanda
  • 2012 |
    Blues for Willadean
  • 2012 |
    Smashed
  • 2011 |

    The Help

    asMinny Jackson
  • 2010 |
    Small Town Saturday Night
  • 2009 |
    Herpes Boy
  • 2009 |
    Jesus People: The Movie
  • 2008 |
    Pretty Ugly People
  • 2009 |
    Halloween II
  • 2008 |
    Next of Kin
  • 2007 |
    The Nines
  • 2006 |
    Pulse
  • 2005 |
    Wannabe
  • 2004 |
    Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!
  • 2000 |

    Big Momma’s House

    asTwila
  • 1999 |
    Being John Malkovich
  • 1999 |
    Never Been Kissed
  • 1990 |

    The Witches

Octavia Spencer News