Jessica Lange

Heroism to me is not about strength or bravery. It's a passion for life and embracing it with every ounce of physical being. A hero should be a role model. A person who I genuinely admire and hope to mimic in my future is my hero. That person is Jessica Lange; actress, photographer, humanitarian, and idol.

Jessica Lange at the 2014 Emmy Awards ( Vine Bucci)

My whole life I have studied acting; whether on screen, in monologues, classes, or even everyday movement. I have recently developed a taste for horror because the professionalism and skills that surround it are so advanced in my view. Jessica Lange is my favorite actress currently. She one of the many stars on the hit television show, American Horror Story; a horror-themed show in which the plot, characters, and setting change every season. Each actor in AHS has a different character to embody for thirteen episodes. Jessica Lange is one who executes every role with grace. Each character she portrays is drawn to the darkness. "I like playing characters who are out there on the edge, where they can explode at any moment or fall off the precipice." (Lange) Lange does not simply play her role, she becomes a part of it. I watch and study Jessica by examining her deliverance of lines, her posture, and her composure in every season. Credit is due to anyone attempting to be in a horror film of some sort because the genre of horror is a difficult one to tackle, but Lange has brought a new twisted style to the brand. As an actor, I appreciate other misfit actors; those who embody something not so ordinary. With each role, Jessica Lange has progressed her artistry and has made me fall in love with her complexity. Jessica Lange has had many achievements since her career took off in 1976. She has starred in King Kong (1976),  The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981), Blue Sky (1994), Big Fish (2003), and thirty-three other films. She has proven herself worthy of those roles, time and again by winning two Oscars, three Emmys, five Golden Globes Awards, three Dorian Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a SAG Award. Lange's experience extends into photography, another one of my interests. Her portraits are moving. She wants to portray her view of life through the things that she loves. "What I love about photography, and it's the same thing I love about acting, really, is that it forces you, like, right into the moment, where you can't be distracted." (Jessica Lange, 2008) Her passion for acting is directly translated into her passion for photography. It's powerful how one woman has so much ambition. Jessica Lange has notably affected the film and theater world, but, she still remains unknown by most. She has such reservation, she could gloat about her popularity or career but she doesn't. Lange's modesty is a reason for my infatuation with her. She has followed her passions from the beginning; she never focuses on the gain. "I could be making a lot more money now if I had chosen a different kind of movie, but none of that matters to me... I've done the parts I wanted to do." (Jessica Lange, 2010) Lange is a woman who goes after what she wants. Her drive is genuine too because it is not about the fame to her. I wish to learn from her and build my own passion. Lange's personality shines. Her brutal honesty towards herself and others lets her greet humor and scrutiny with a smile. "Successful model? That's a myth. The year I modeled was the most painful year of my life." (Lange). Modesty and finesse make a woman that has a powerful appearance in my life.

Jessica Lange in the DRC (UNICHIEF)

Jessica Lange is also a service-oriented star. As of June 2003, she is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Her focus is on human rights and HIV/AIDS. In August 2003, Lange went to the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. She wanted to bring attention to the impact of women and young children and the toll sexual violence has brought due to its use as a weapon in war in the DRC. She met with ambassadors, authorities, educators, children, and women organizations. "Of the women and children who survive the stunning brutality, the physical, emotional and psychological damage will last a lifetime. The world must stop the horror and help the survivors." (Lange) Jessica Lange's service is not just hands-on, she also promotes and speaks against unjust ways of living. She shines a light on the darkness everyone is avoiding. Lange is a role model for being a humanitarian who actively pushes for a cause. She is driven, not for the reward, but because she fulfills herself by helping others.

   I look up to this artist, not for her achievements, but because she is someone I want to embody when I get older. A hero should be an achievable role model. Though Jessica Lange is not a president, or a scientist, or a philosopher, she still means more me. She is a goal that I, in some way, want to achieve. Her ambition for always putting effort into everything speaks to me. I want to be as strong and as willing as Lange is, so, I someday may become a role model to someone else. Jessica Lange is a legacy for all artists.