Beth Grant has appeared in over 100 films and continues her long running stint on the popular Hulu original comedy series ‘The Mindy Project.’ This past awards season, Grant played Lady Bird Johnson opposite Oscar nominee Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy in the acclaimed ‘Jackie.’ Her four decade career on screen has encapsulated everything from Oscar winning ‘Best Picture’ winners ‘No Country for Old Men’ and ‘The Artist’ to holding onto a bus for dear life with Sandra Bullock in ‘Speed.” Grant has also formed lasting and fruitful friendships and creative collaborations with Oscar winner Octavia Spencer and actor/filmmaker James Franco. In 1988, Grant’s stature as a veteran, character actress took its roots in ‘Rain Main’ as she encountered Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman in a pivotal scene. Take a look!
Beth is candid and articulate about how an actor can thrive creatively and find roles that are most suited for who they are internally and externally. We’ll discuss how she came to an epiphany in her career after being cast in ‘Rain Man’ and how the self knowledge of finding roles in her wheelhouse helped her sustain work as an actress in many high profile films. Grant has the unique ability to bring authenticity to a scene by slipping deep into the nuances of a character. Every role she has played differs from the previous yet you never doubt as a viewer that she is not inherently embracing the truth of the role in every facet. We’ll hear great insights on the actor/director dynamic as well as how a guest star part on ‘The Mindy Project’ unexpectedly became a series regular role which has lasted for 5 seasons.
Beth Grant on-set with the cast of Hulu’s ‘The Mindy Project.’
Actor/Director James Franco with Beth Grant in the William Faulkner adaptation ‘As I Lay Dying’ which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
We’ll hear what Grant saw in a young James Franco during an early audition in his career and what forged their friendship and working relationship on almost a dozen films including the spectacular William Faulkner adaptation ‘As I Lay Dying.’ And we’ll delve into advice Grant was given from her friend Oscar winning actress Octavia Spencer just before she landed her role on ‘The Mindy Project.’
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Beth Grant celebrates 100 episodes of ‘The Mindy Project’ with creator Mindy Kaling and the show’s cast.