Marcia Gay Harden on a life lived off-screen

CBS Sunday Morning
10 Mar 202408:04
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script offers an intimate look into the life of Marcia Gay Harden, an Oscar and Tony award-winning actress known for her diverse roles in film, theater, and television. Harden's passion for pottery is highlighted, with her journey to Faenza, Italy, where she indulges in her love for ceramics alongside local artisans. The script delves into her career breakthrough in 'Miller's Crossing,' her portrayal of Lee Krasner in 'Pollock,' and her various roles across genres, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Personal anecdotes reveal her playful side, contrasting with the gravitas of her on-screen characters. The actress also candidly discusses her family, including her children's gender identities and the challenges of balancing her public image with her private life. The summary encapsulates Harden's artistic spirit, both on and off the screen, and her commitment to authenticity in her personal and professional endeavors.

Takeaways
  • 🎨 Marcia Gay Harden is a versatile actress who has portrayed a wide range of roles, from serious to comedic, in various genres including crime, medical, and drama.
  • πŸ† She is an Oscar and Tony award-winning artist, recognized for her role as Lee Krasner in the movie 'Pollock' and her performance in 'God of Carnage' on Broadway.
  • πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘¦ Harden is a dedicated mother of three children, all of whom identify as queer, which she has openly discussed in public forums.
  • πŸ€— She has a playful side that doesn't often come across in her roles, and she enjoys physical comedy, as evidenced by her work on the CBS series 'So Help Me Todd'.
  • πŸ‘΅ Harden's love for pottery began in the 1990s in New York and she continues to pursue this passion, finding it a calming and creative outlet.
  • 🌈 She is supportive of her children's gender identities and has faced criticism for being open about their queerness, which she addresses with pride and love.
  • 🎭 The actress distinguishes between being an actor, which involves working from a script and approaching a role, and being a celebrity, which is about one's public persona and life.
  • πŸ“Ί Marcia Gay Harden has been involved in television series such as 'So Help Me Todd', where she plays a lawyer and hires her son as a private investigator.
  • 🏺 Her pottery skills were highlighted during a vacation in Faenza, Italy, a place known for its long history of ceramics production.
  • 🌟 She values the process of creation and the joy of doing things that can be used, as indicated by her practical approach to pottery.
  • πŸ’¬ Harden has been vocal about social issues, particularly those affecting her family, and is not afraid to challenge societal norms.
Q & A

  • Who does Marcia Gay Harden believe in as a great artist?

    -Marcia Gay Harden believes in Jackson Pollock as a great artist.

  • For which role did Marcia Gay Harden win an Oscar?

    -Marcia Gay Harden won an Oscar for her role as artist Lee Krasner in the movie 'Pollock'.

  • What is Marcia Gay Harden's relationship with pottery?

    -Marcia Gay Harden has a passion for pottery, which began in the 1990s in New York while she was in a Broadway show.

  • What does Marcia Gay Harden's character do in the series 'So Help Me Todd'?

    -In the series 'So Help Me Todd', Marcia Gay Harden's character is a lawyer named Margaret Wright who hires her son to be a private investigator for her firm.

  • What is Marcia Gay Harden's view on the difference between an actor and a celebrity?

    -Marcia Gay Harden believes an actor works with a script and approaches a role, while a celebrity is more about their life and identity, which doesn't necessarily need to be connected to their work.

  • How does Marcia Gay Harden describe her mother's personality in relation to pottery?

    -Marcia Gay Harden describes her mother as a down-to-earth person who is covered in clay, wearing pants and a bandanna, throwing pots, and embodying a practical and grounded nature.

  • What is the significance of the word 'calma' in the context of the script?

    -The word 'calma' is used by the pottery teacher to advise the Americans, including Marcia Gay Harden, to calm down and slow their pace while learning pottery in Italy.

  • What is Marcia Gay Harden's stance on her children's gender identities?

    -Marcia Gay Harden is supportive of her children's gender identities, stating that all three of her kids identify as queer and expressing pride in their individuality and authenticity.

  • What kind of roles has Marcia Gay Harden played throughout her career?

    -Marcia Gay Harden has played a diverse range of roles, including a femme fatale, a socialite, a hard-edged reporter, and characters in crime dramas, medical dramas, and even participated in Broadway shows.

  • How does Marcia Gay Harden feel about her work ethic?

    -Marcia Gay Harden considers herself a bit of a workaholic, indicating a strong work ethic and dedication to her craft.

  • What is Marcia Gay Harden's approach to her personal life in relation to her public persona?

    -Marcia Gay Harden prefers to keep her private life separate from her public persona, only recently opening up more about her family and personal experiences in certain contexts.

  • What is the significance of the pottery studio in Vancouver for Marcia Gay Harden?

    -The pottery studio in Vancouver serves as a community and a familiar space for Marcia Gay Harden, where she can engage in her love for pottery during her time off from shooting.

Outlines
00:00
🎨 Artistic Passions and Roles

This paragraph introduces Marcia Gay Harden as a versatile actress, known for her award-winning roles in both film and theater. She is recognized for her portrayal of Lee Krasner in the movie 'Pollock' and her Tony Award-winning performance in 'God of Carnage' on Broadway. The paragraph also touches on her personal interests in pottery and how she has managed to keep her private life relatively private, until recently. It discusses her work ethic, being a 'workaholic', and her approach to her roles, emphasizing the importance of being seen and understood in the characters she portrays. The narrative also briefly mentions her current role as a lawyer in a TV series and her love for physical comedy.

05:04
πŸ† Public Persona and Personal Struggles

In this paragraph, the focus shifts to Marcia Gay Harden's public image and her stance on the distinction between being an actor and a celebrity. She has been vocal about her family, particularly regarding her children's gender identities, which has led to public scrutiny and accusations. Harden shares her journey as a parent, emphasizing love and acceptance as guiding principles. The paragraph also highlights her role as a caregiver and the challenges she faces as a single mother after her divorce in 2012. It concludes with her finding solace in pottery and her plans to launch her own line, reflecting her desire to leave a personal mark on her work and her life.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Jackson Pollock
Jackson Pollock was an influential American painter and a major figure in the abstract expressionist movement. Known for his unique style of drip painting, he is a symbol of artistic freedom and innovation. In the video, the mention of Pollock serves to establish the context of art and the creative process, as well as to draw a parallel between the artist's process and that of the actor's craft.
πŸ’‘Marsha Gay Harden
Marsha Gay Harden is an Oscar-winning actress known for her diverse roles in film, theater, and television. She is highlighted in the video as an example of a multifaceted artist with a passion for pottery, which adds depth to her character as an actor. Her portrayal of Lee Krasner in the movie 'Pollock' is particularly emphasized, showcasing her ability to embody complex artistic figures.
πŸ’‘Lee Krasner
Lee Krasner was an American abstract expressionist painter and the wife of Jackson Pollock. She is an important figure in the art world, and the video discusses Marsha Gay Harden's portrayal of Krasner in the film 'Pollock', which won Harden an Oscar. This keyword is significant as it ties together the themes of art, personal expression, and the interplay between an artist's life and work.
πŸ’‘Ceramics
Ceramics refers to the art of making objects from clay that are fired at high temperatures. In the video, Marsha Gay Harden's love for pottery is explored, showing her hands-on experience at a ceramics center in Italy. This keyword is central to the narrative as it reveals Harden's personal artistic pursuits and her connection to the tangible, creative process.
πŸ’‘Faenza
Faenza is a town in Italy renowned for its long-standing tradition of ceramics production dating back to the first century BC. The video mentions Faenza as the location where Harden and her children engage in pottery, emphasizing the historical and cultural significance of the art form and its impact on the actress's personal artistic journey.
πŸ’‘Broadway
Broadway refers to the theatrical performances presented in New York City's theater district. The video notes that Harden's interest in pottery began while she was performing in a Broadway show. This keyword is significant as it underscores the multidisciplinary nature of her artistic career and her ability to draw inspiration from various aspects of her life.
πŸ’‘God of Carnage
God of Carnage is a Tony Award-winning play by Yasmina Reza, which Harden performed in on Broadway. The mention of this play in the video serves to highlight her achievements in theater and her versatility as an actress, capable of bringing depth to complex dramatic roles.
πŸ’‘Workaholic
A workaholic is someone who is obsessed with work to the extent that it negatively affects other aspects of their life. The video describes Harden as a bit of a workaholic, indicating her dedication and commitment to her craft. This keyword is relevant as it provides insight into her professional drive and the extent of her involvement in her work.
πŸ’‘Margaret Wright
Margaret Wright is a character portrayed by Harden in a legal drama series. The video discusses the character as being 'hoity-toity and flawed,' which showcases Harden's ability to take on roles with complex and nuanced personalities. This keyword is important as it reflects the range of characters she has played throughout her career.
πŸ’‘Physical Comedy
Physical comedy is a form of humor that relies on physical actions and movements rather than dialogue. The video mentions that Harden enjoys the physical comedy aspect of her role, indicating her comfort with and skill in performing comedic elements. This keyword is significant as it highlights her versatility as an actress and her ability to engage audiences through different forms of humor.
πŸ’‘Queer Identity
Queer identity refers to a sexual orientation or gender identity that is not heterosexual or cisgender. The video discusses Harden's public disclosure about her children identifying as queer, which has led to both support and controversy. This keyword is central to the narrative as it explores themes of family, acceptance, and the intersection of personal life with public perception.
πŸ’‘Celebrity vs. Actor
The distinction between a celebrity and an actor is a key theme in the video. A celebrity is someone who is famous for their名气 (fame) or public profile, while an actor is someone who works professionally in the performing arts. Harden differentiates herself as an actor, emphasizing the importance of her craft over her public persona. This keyword is significant as it reflects on the challenges of maintaining a private life while being in the public eye.
Highlights

Marcia Gay Harden is an accomplished artist both on screen and off, with a passion for pottery that began in the 1990s.

Harden won an Oscar for her portrayal of artist Lee Krasner in the film 'Pollock', opposite Ed Harris.

She also received a Tony award for her Broadway performance in 'God of Carnage'.

Harden's love for pottery was sparked during a Broadway show in New York in the 1990s.

She enjoys the process of creating pottery, finding it a calming and rewarding experience.

Harden's children, Uelala, Julitta, and Hudson, accompany her on a pottery vacation to Faenza, Italy.

The town of Faenza has a rich history of ceramics dating back to the first century BC.

Harden is known for her gravitas and serious roles, but also has a playful side that is less often seen.

She got her big break playing a femme fatale in the Coen Brothers' film 'Miller's Crossing'.

Harden appreciates when directors see her potential and give her opportunities to shine.

She has played a diverse range of roles, from crime dramas to medical dramas.

Despite being a workaholic, Harden does not dwell on past roles once they are completed.

She is currently playing lawyer Margaret Wright on the CBS series 'So Help Me Todd'.

Harden enjoys the physical comedy and levity of her character in 'So Help Me Todd'.

For the first time, Harden has opened up about her private life and family in the public eye.

All three of her children identify as queer, which has led to some controversy and accusations.

Harden was recently divorced and now considers herself a single mother.

She finds community and solace in pottery, a craft she enjoys doing in her spare time.

Harden believes being an actor is about the work and the role, while being a celebrity is more about their personal life.

She is looking forward to launching her own line of pottery in the future.

Transcripts

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ArtistryPotteryActingAcademy AwardBroadwayCeramicsItalyFamilyLGBTQ+Single MomPhysical ComedyPublic Figure