
Piper Laurie
ActingAbout Piper Laurie
Piper Laurie (born Rosetta Jacobs; January 22, 1932 – October 14, 2023) was an American actress. She is known for her roles in the films The Hustler (1961), Carrie (1976), and Children of a Lesser God (1986), and received various accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, in addition to nominations for three Academy Awards and a BAFTA Award. She was also known for her performances as Kirsten Arnesen in the original TV production of Days of Wine and Roses, and as Catherine Martell in the television series Twin Peaks.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Piper Laurie reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Piper Laurie's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 58% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Piper Laurie remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Kelly and Me, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Piper Laurie Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Piper Laurie's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Piper Laurie.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Gregory Peck, le gentleman acteur | Herself | Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | White Boy Rick | Grandma Verna Wershe | Average | Similar → |
| 2018 | Snapshots | Rose | Hit | Similar → |
| 2012 | Bad Blood... the Hunger | Milly Lathrop | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2012 | Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | Hesher | Madeleine Forney | Hit | Similar → |
| 2008 | Hounddog | Grammie | Average | Similar → |
| 2007 | Secrets from Another Place: Creating Twin Peaks | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 2006 | The Dead Girl | Arden's Mother | Average | Similar → |
| 2004 | Eulogy | Charlotte Collins | Average | Similar → |
| 2001 | The Last Brickmaker in America | Ruth Anne | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2001 | Acting 'Carrie' | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2001 | Dario Argento: An Eye for Horror | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2001 | Midwives | Cheryl Visco | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | Inherit the Wind | Sarah Brady | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | The Faculty | Mrs. Karen Olson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | Alone | Lillie Dawson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | A Christmas Memory | Jennie | Average | Similar → |
| 1997 | Intensity | Miriam Braynard | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | The Grass Harp | Dolly Talbo | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | The Crossing Guard | Helen Booth | Average | Similar → |
| 1993 | Wrestling Ernest Hemingway | Georgia | Average | Similar → |
| 1993 | Sad Inheritance | Margaret Kinsey | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | Rich in Love | Vera Delmage | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Other People's Money | Bea Sullivan | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | Rising Son | Martha Robinson | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Twin Peaks | Catherine Martell | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | Go Toward the Light | Margo | Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | Appointment with Death | Emily Boynton | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | Promise | Annie Gilbert | Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | Children of a Lesser God | Mrs. Norman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Return to Oz | Aunt Em | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | The Bunker | Magda Goebbels | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | Macbeth | Lady Macbeth | Average | Similar → |
| 1979 | Tim | Mary Horton | Average | Similar → |
| 1977 | In the Matter of Karen Ann Quinlan | Julie Quinlan | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | Carrie | Margaret White | Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | The Hustler | Sarah Packard | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | Days of Wine and Roses | Kirsten Arnesen Clay | Hit | Similar → |
| 1957 | Until They Sail | Delia Leslie Friskett | Average | Similar → |
| 1957 | Kelly and Me | Mina Van Runkle | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | Smoke Signal | Laura Evans | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Dawn at Socorro | Rannah Hayes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Dangerous Mission | Louise Graham | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | The Golden Blade | Khairuzan | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | The Mississippi Gambler | Angelique Dureau | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | Has Anybody Seen My Gal? | Millicent Blaisdell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Francis Goes to the Races | Frances Travers | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | The Milkman | Chris Abbott | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Louisa | Cathy Norton | Hit | Similar → |
Piper Laurie - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Piper Laurie?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Piper Laurie is "Kelly and Me" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Piper Laurie acted in?
Piper Laurie has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Piper Laurie?
Other notable films include "Twin Peaks", "Bad Blood... the Hunger", and "In the Matter of Karen Ann Quinlan".




