Louise Fletcher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louise Fletcher
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Fletcher at the 48th Academy Awards (1976)
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| Born |
Estelle Louise Fletcher
July 22, 1934 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
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| Died | September 23, 2022 (aged 88) Montdurausse, Tarn, France
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| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1955–2017 |
| Known for | One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Star Trek: Deep Space Nine |
| Spouse(s) |
Jerry Bick
(m. 1960; div. 1978) |
| Children | 2 |
Estelle Louise Fletcher (born July 22, 1934 – died September 23, 2022) was an American actress. She became very famous for playing Nurse Ratched in the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975). For this role, she won an Oscar, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
Louise Fletcher also had a big role as Kai Winn Adami, a religious leader, in the TV show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–99). She was also known for playing Sebastian's aunt Helen Rosemond in the movie Cruel Intentions (1999). She was nominated for two Emmy Awards for her work in the TV series Picket Fences (1996) and Joan of Arcadia (2004). Her last acting role was as Rosie in the Netflix series Girlboss (2017).
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Early Life and Family
Louise Fletcher was born on July 22, 1934, in Birmingham, Alabama. She was the second of four children. Her parents, Estelle and Reverend Robert Capers Fletcher, were both deaf. They worked to help other deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
Her father started more than 40 churches for deaf people in Alabama. Louise and her siblings were all born with normal hearing. An aunt taught Louise how to speak. She later studied drama at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1957.
Acting Career Highlights
Louise Fletcher started her acting career in TV shows in the late 1950s. She appeared in Westerns like Lawman (1958) and Maverick (1959). She once said that her height (5 feet 10 inches) helped her get roles in Westerns because the male actors were often very tall too.
In 1960, she appeared in two episodes of Perry Mason. After a break to raise her children, Fletcher returned to acting in the 1970s.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
In 1975, Louise Fletcher was cast as Nurse Ratched in the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. This role brought her worldwide fame. Her performance was so powerful that she won the Academy Award for Best Actress, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe. She was one of only a few actresses to win all three major awards for a single role. When she accepted her Oscar, she famously used sign language to thank her deaf parents.
Later Roles in Film and Television
After One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Fletcher continued to act in many films. Some of her notable movies include Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977), Firestarter (1984), Invaders From Mars (1986), Flowers in the Attic (1987), and Cruel Intentions (1999).
She also had a very successful career in television. From 1993 to 1999, she played the important role of Kai Winn Adami in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. She also received Emmy Award nominations for her guest appearances in Picket Fences (1996) and Joan of Arcadia (2004). Later in her career, she appeared in shows like Heroes (2009) and Shameless (2011–2012). Her final role was in the series Girlboss in 2017.
Personal Life
Louise Fletcher married Jerry Bick, a literary agent and producer, in 1960. They had two sons, John and Andrew. She took an 11-year break from acting to focus on raising her children. They divorced in 1978.
In 1982, she received an honorary degree from Gallaudet University, a university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Death
Louise Fletcher passed away at her home in Montdurausse, France, on September 23, 2022. She was 88 years old.
Awards and Recognition
Louise Fletcher won many awards during her career. Her most famous wins were for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest:
- Academy Award for Best Actress (1976)
- BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role (1977)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (1976)
She also won a Saturn Award for Best Actress in 1984 for her role in the film Brainstorm. She received several awards from the Online Film & Television Association for her role in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In 2016, she was honored with the Mary Pickford Award at the Satellite Awards for her lasting contributions to film.
Images for kids
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Fletcher at the National Film Society convention (1979)
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See also
In Spanish: Louise Fletcher para niños
