Life in Film: Octavia Spencer

The Oscar-winning actress' journey on the big screen.

Unforgettably, Undeniably... Octavia - For nearly 20 years, actress Octavia Spencer has been lighting up the screen in both big and small unforgettable films. From her acting debut in 1996's A Time to Kill to her latest role in the Sundance-award winning film Fruitvale Station, Butler always dazzles and delights moviegoing audiences. Here's a look at the roles that helped to define her career. (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company)

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Unforgettably, Undeniably... Octavia - For nearly 20 years, actress Octavia Spencer has been lighting up the screen in both big and small unforgettable films. From her acting debut in 1996's A Time to Kill to her latest role in the Sundance-award winning film Fruitvale Station, Butler always dazzles and delights moviegoing audiences. Here's a look at the roles that helped to define her career. (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company)

A Time to Kill (1996) - In this adaptation of a John Grisham novel, Jackson was a father on trial for killing two white supremacists fingered for raping and beating his 10-year-old daughter. Of course, the film's famous line is delivered by Jackson, who screams in court: "Yes, they deserve to die! And I hope they burn in hell!"(Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)

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A Time to Kill - In her first feature film acting role, Spencer was in excellent company. Almost a foreshadowing of her own future in Hollywood, she was surrounded by then future Academy Award-winner Sandra Bullock and Oscar nominee Samuel L. Jackson. In A Time to Kill, she played Roark's Nurse, aid to Bullock's character, Ellen Roark. (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Never Been Kissed - Octavia starred as Cynthia in the romantic dramedy Never Been Kissed opposite Drew Barrymore and David Arquette. The film was about a journalist who relives her high school days to research a story. (Photo: Twentieth Century FOX)

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Never Been Kissed - Octavia starred as Cynthia in the romantic dramedy Never Been Kissed opposite Drew Barrymore and David Arquette. The film was about a journalist who relives her high school days to research a story. (Photo: Twentieth Century FOX)

Photo By Photo: Twentieth Century FOX

Big Momma's House, Saturday at 5P/4C - Martin's dressing the part. Encore presentation on Sunday at 11:30A/10:30C.(Photo: Twentieth Century Fox)

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Big Momma's House - Martin Lawrence donned a woman's fat suit to portray Big Momma, but it was Spencer who added her charms to the role of Twila, alongside Nia Long, Terrence Howard and Anthony Anderson. (Photo: Twentieth Century Fox)

Bad Santa - Octavia wasn't a leading lady in Bad Santa, but as the sassy character Opal, she held her own amongst the likes of movie stars like the late, great Bernie Mac and Billy Bob Thornton.(Photo: Columbia Pictures)

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Bad Santa - Octavia wasn't a leading lady in Bad Santa, but as the sassy character Opal, she held her own amongst the likes of movie stars like the late, great Bernie Mac and Billy Bob Thornton.(Photo: Columbia Pictures)

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Coach Carter - The sport film version of Lean on Me, this flick explores the strict academic regime implemented by Coach Ken Carter (played by Samuel L. Jackson) to not help his basketball team win games, but win in the classroom. (Photo: MTV Films)

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Coach Carter - Coach Carter reteamed Octavia Spencer and Samuel L. Jackson. Spencer played Mrs. Battle to Jackson's Ken Carter, the controversial coach who benched his whole basketball team for failing academically. (Photo: MTV Films)

Photo By Photo: MTV Films

Beauty Shop - Queen Latifah helps get ya head right! Saturday at 12:30P/11:30C.(Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

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Beauty Shop - It was an all-star girl party for the 2005 release of Beauty Shop. Octavia was surrounded by a who's who bevy of Black actresses, including Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard and Sherri Shepherd. The ladies gathered to spread gossip, lies and talk love all in the sacred woman's space, the beauty salon.(Photo: Metro-Gldwyn-Mayer)

Photo By Photo: Metro-Gldwyn-Mayer

Seven Pounds - As Kate, a home care nurse worker, Octavia Spencer plays one of many strangers whose lives are affected by a mysterious man (Will Smith) with a fateful secret. (Photo: Columbia Pictures)

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Seven Pounds - As Kate, a home care nurse worker, Octavia Spencer plays one of many strangers whose lives are affected by a mysterious man (Will Smith) with a fateful secret. (Photo: Columbia Pictures)

Octavia Spencer The Help

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The Help - As Minny Jackson in The Help, the role which won her the 2012 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, Octavia got a chance to pay homage to our country's Black American domestic workers. The Alabama native did it with no apologies, spunk and a revolutionary spirit. Best of all, Spencer served one of the most memorable chocolate cream pies in movie history.(Photo: DreamWorks)

Fruitvale Station - In Fruitvale Station, Spencer plays Wanda, the mother of Oscar Grant, a 22-year old Black man murdered in a San Francisco train station. Octavia is the emotional backbone of the film; both the matriarch and an endless source of strength for characters thrown into a tsunami of grief due to a senseless, tragic killing. (Photo: The Weinstein Company)

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Fruitvale Station - In Fruitvale Station, Spencer plays Wanda, the mother of Oscar Grant, a 22-year old Black man murdered in a San Francisco train station. Octavia is the emotional backbone of the film; both the matriarch and an endless source of strength for characters thrown into a tsunami of grief due to a senseless, tragic killing. (Photo: The Weinstein Company)