What is Sarah Paulson famous for? The actress’ top movies and TV shows

Born in Tampa, Florida in 1974, Sarah Paulson was raised in New York City by a single mother. She honed her craft at prestigious institutions like the High School of Performing Arts before her television debut in the mid-90s.

Her breakout TV role came through performances in the horror anthology series “American Horror Story.” Through that series she met producer Ryan Murphy and the two have since crafted a strong working relationship.

Her collaboration with Murphy extended beyond horror. The true-crime drama “American Crime Story” became another platform for Paulson’s brilliance. In “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” she transformed into prosecutor Marcia Clark. Her nuanced portrayal captured the complexities of the case and the immense pressure Clark faced. This critically acclaimed performance earned Paulson a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

Paulson’s desire to explore diverse characters continued with “Ratched,” a Netflix series that serves as a prequel to the classic film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Here, she inhabits the role of Nurse Ratched, the seemingly cold and calculating antagonist of the original story. Paulson delves deeper, revealing the origins of the infamous nurse, showcasing a vulnerability and desperation that adds a new layer to the character.

Paulson’s is not just a small screen actress, she has also graced the silver screen in a variety of films. Her filmography boasts critically acclaimed features like the harrowing historical drama “12 Years a Slave,” the poignant romance “Carol,” the political thriller “The Post,” and the all-female heist film “Ocean’s 8.”