Dale Dickey
Dickey in 2018
Born
Diana Dale Dickey

(1961-09-29) September 29, 1961 (age 62)[1]
Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Tennessee
OccupationActress
Years active1994–present

Diana Dale Dickey (born September 29, 1961) is an American character actress who has worked in theater, film, and television. She began her career on stage, performing in the 1989 Broadway version of The Merchant of Venice, before appearing in popular revivals of A Streetcar Named Desire, Sweeney Todd and more off-Broadway and in regional theaters. She's the recipient of two Ovation Awards for her stage work in Los Angeles.[2]

Known as a "consummate character actor,"[3] Dickey made her screen debut in 1995. She won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for her breakthrough performance as Merab in the 2010 independent drama film Winter's Bone. Over her career, she has appeared in more than 60 movies, most notably Changeling (2008), Super 8 (2011), Iron Man 3 (2013), Regression (2015), Hell or High Water (2016), Leave No Trace (2018) and Bloodline (2018). Her television credits including recurring roles on My Name Is Earl (2005–09), Breaking Bad (2009), True Blood (2012–13), Justified (2014), and Claws (2017–22). She also was a regular cast member on the second season of the HBO comedy series Vice Principals (2017), co-starred in the Netflix miniseries Unbelievable (2019), and featured in Amazon's 2022 comedy-series reboot of A League of Their Own.

Dickey received widespread acclaim from critics for her lead performance in the 2022 romantic drama film A Love Song, for which she received Chlotrudis Award for Best Actress and was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Performance and the Gotham Independent Film Award for Outstanding Lead Performance.

Early life

Diana Dale Dickey was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and attended Bearden High School.[4] She played several roles in high school productions, notably as Emily in Our Town. She later attended the University of Tennessee from 1979 to 1984, but left to pursue her acting career. On December 10, 2015, she returned to the University of Tennessee as a guest speaker, where she gave the commencement speech to Fall graduates, and was awarded an honorary Master of Fine Arts degree from the university.[5]

Career

Dickey has been working as a character actress in both mainstream and independent films since the 1990s.[4] She made her television debut playing the recurring role of Opal McHone in CBS historical drama Christy from 1994 to 1995. The following year, she made her big screen debut in the comedy-drama film The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love. She later had supporting parts in the made-for-television movies Cagney & Lacey: Together Again (1995), Prison of Secrets (1997) and Christy: Return to Cutter Gap (2000). She played Glyndora Roberts in the 2000 independent comedy film, Sordid Lives, and later returned to the role in the Logo sitcom Sordid Lives: The Series (2008). She returned to the franchise in 2017, playing a different role in A Very Sordid Wedding (replacing Beth Grant as Sissy Hickey).[6] Her other 2000s film credits include The Pledge (2001), Our Very Own (2005), and Changeling (2008).

Dickey guest-starred in a number of television series, including The X-Files, Frasier, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Gilmore Girls, The Closer and Ugly Betty. From 2005 to 2009, she had a recurring role as Patty the Daytime Hooker in the NBC comedy series, My Name Is Earl. In 2009, she had a recurring role in the AMC drama series, Breaking Bad. Dickey also performed in various stage production, include the Broadway production of The Merchant of Venice (1989) and in the 2009 stage adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire and many other off-Broadway and regional theatres receiving two Ovation Awards.[2]

Dickey received critical praise for her performance as Merab in 2010 independent drama film Winter's Bone opposite Jennifer Lawrence,[4] winning the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female in February 2011.[7] From 2012 to 2013, she played the role of Martha Bozeman in the fifth and sixth seasons of the HBO series True Blood.[8] After Winter's Bone, Dickey appeared in the science fiction film Super 8 (2011) directed by J. J. Abrams, and the superhero film Iron Man 3, directed by Shane Black in 2013.[9] She also was cast in Bonnie and Clyde: Dead and Alive miniseries in 2013.[10] In 2014, she had a recurring role in the FX series Justified.[11] In 2015 Dickey portrayed Rose Gray in the Spanish-American thriller film Regression, in which she co-stars with Ethan Hawke and Emma Watson.[12]

Dickey had a recurring role of Juanda Husser in the TNT comedy-drama series, Claws from 2017 to 2022. In 2017, she starred in the second season of HBO dark comedy Vice Principals and in 2019 appeared in the Netflix miniseries Unbelievable. In 2022, she had a recurring role in the Amazon series A League of Their Own. She appeared in the films Hell or High Water (2016), Leave No Trace (2018), Bloodline (2018) and Flag Day (2021).

In 2022, Dickey played the leading role in the drama film A Love Song. The performance received positive reviews from critics, notably from Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone.[13][14][15] The film marks the first leading role in her career. In her interview for IndieWire, Dickey said: "I fell between the cracks. I was not pretty enough in this category to be the leading lady and I wasn't quirky or odd enough in this category to be the only character actress". "Even in college, I tended to play everybody under 12 or over fifty. I think you finally grow into your age range and, sure enough, when I started getting into my mid-forties is when I started working more. I slowly built a career, but it was difficult."[16] She received Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Performance and Gotham Independent Film Award for Outstanding Lead Performance nominations for her role.[17][18] Also that year, she played another leading role in the Irish drama film The Cry of Granuaile.[19] In 2023, Dickey was cast in the Paramount+ western series Lawmen: Bass Reeves and Amazon series Fallout.[20] Also that year, Dickey played the leading role in the crime thriller film, The G written and directed by Karl R. Hearne.[21][22]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1995 The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love Regina
1995 Running Wild Judith
1995 The Journey of August King Jenny
1997 Prison of Secrets Lynn's friend
2000 Sordid Lives Glyndora
2001 The Pledge Strom
2005 Our Very Own Skillet
2005 Domino Edna Fender
2006 Nothing But Ghosts [de] Annie
2008 Trailer Park of Terror Daryl
2008 Dark Canvas Wilma
2008 Changeling Patient
2008 Leaving Barstow Linda
2009 A Perfect Getaway Earth Momma
2010 Winter's Bone Merab Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female
Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble Performance
Village Voice Film Poll for Best Supporting Actress (2nd place)
Southeastern Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble (2nd place)
Nominated — San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Ensemble Performance
2011 Child of the Desert Elia
2011 Super 8 Edie
2011 Pirates of the Caribbean: Tales of the Code: Wedlocked Oona
2012 Evidence Katrina Fleishman
2012 Blues for Willadean Rayleen Hobbs
2012 Tales of Everyday Magic Maggie
2012 The Happiest Person in America Meg
2012 My Greatest Teacher Maggie
2012 Being Flynn Marie
2012 The Yellow Wallpaper Jennie Gilman
2012 The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez Denise
2012 The Guilt Trip Tammy
2012 Lost on Purpose Retta Lee
2012 9 Full Moons Billie
2013 C.O.G. Debbie
2013 Dark Around the Stars Rita
2013 The Trials of Cate McCall Mrs. Stubbs
2013 Teddy Bears Lori
2013 Iron Man 3 Mrs. Davis
2013 Southern Baptist Sissies Odette
2013 Evidence Katrina Fleishman
2014 What Lola Wants Mama
2014 White Bird in a Blizzard Mrs. Hillman
2014 The Possession of Michael King Beverly
2014 San Patricios Colleen Donnelly
2015 Ain't It Nowhere Aunt Sissie
2015 Regression Rose Gray
2015 Waffle Street Crazy Kathy
2015 Blood Father Cherise
2016 Poor Boy Deb Chilson
2016 Hell or High Water Elsie
2016 Message from the King Mrs. Lazlo
2017 Small Town Crime Leslie
2017 A Very Sordid Wedding Sissy Hickey FilmOut San Diego Audience Award for Best Supporting Actress
2017 Inheritance Effy Monroe
2017 Last Requests Maggie Short Film
2017 You're Gonna Miss Me Zelda Montana
2018 Bella Nurse Charlotte Warren Nominated — Northern Virginia International Film and Music Festival Award for Best Ensemble Acting
2018 Leave No Trace Dale Nominated — Indiana Film Journalists Association Award for Best Ensemble Acting
2018 Dead Women Walking Rebecca
2018 Lawless Range Coleen Donnelly
2018 Bloodline Marie Cole
2019 Wish Man Clover
2020 Palm Springs Darla
2021 Flag Day Grandma Margaret
2022 The Phantoms Jenny Gilman
2022 Continue Nurse Love
2022 The Cry of Granuaile Maire
2022 A Love Song Faye Chlotrudis Society for Independent Films Award for Best Actress[23]
Seattle International Film Festival Award for Best Performance
Provincetown International Film Festival for Excellence in Acting Award
Nominated — Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Performance
Nominated - Gotham Independent Film Award for Outstanding Lead Performance
2022 No Exit Sandi
2023 The G Ann Hunter/The G
2022 Savage Salvation Greta
2024 Horizon: An American Saga † Mrs. Sykes Post-Production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Cagney & Lacey: Together Again Gloria TV movie
1994–1995 Christy Opal McHone 4 episodes
2000 City of Angels Rose Odalee Greenup Episode: "The High Cost of Living"
2000 Christy: The Movie Opal McHone TV movie
2001 Christy, Choices of the Heart, Part II: A New Beginning Opal McHone TV mini-series; 2 episodes
2001 The X-Files Game Warden Episode: "Existence"
2003 Frasier Mrs. Grant Episode: "Some Assembly Required"
2004 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Cassie Episode: "Bad to the Bone"
2004 ER Mrs. Price Episode: "Twas the Night"
2005 Numb3rs Karen Episode: "Counterfeit Reality"
2006 Gilmore Girls Ruthie 2 episodes
2006 Cold Case Reba Dautry Episode: "Joseph"
2006 The Closer Anna Larson Episode: "Out of Focus"
2007 Shark Nancy Padget Episode: "Porn Free"
2007 Ugly Betty Sugar Free Shirley Episode: "East Side Story"
2008 Sordid Lives: The Series Glyndora Roberts Series regular, 6 episodes
2005–2009 My Name Is Earl Patty, the daytime hooker 19 episodes
2009 Princess Protection Program Helen TV movie
2009 Breaking Bad Spooge's "Skank" Lady 2 episodes
2010 All Signs of Death Thea TV Pilot
2010 Bones Marsha Vinton Episode: "The X in the File"
2010 Criminal Minds Carol Episode: "Exit Wounds"
2010 Weeds Sugarpop Episode: "Gentle Puppies"
2011 2 Broke Girls Elena Episode: "And the Pop-Up Sale"
2013 Grey's Anatomy Gasoline Episode: "Things We Said Today"
2012–2013 Raising Hope Patty 2 episodes
2013 Southland Maureen Episode: "Heroes"
2012–2013 True Blood Martha Bozeman 12 episodes
2013 Last Man Standing Doris Episode: "Shoveling Snow"
2013 Bonnie and Clyde: Dead and Alive Cummie Barrow TV mini-series; 2 episodes
2014 Justified Judith 4 episodes
2014 The Middle Sandy Episode: "Orlando"
2014 Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends Herself TV special
2014 Sons of Anarchy Renee O'Leary Egan Episode: "The Separation of Crows"
2015 Backstrom Judge Nunn Episode: "Rock Bottom"
2015 Documentary Now! Joelle Fellweather Episode: "The Eye Doesn't Lie"
2016 Better Things Jace Episode: "Sam/Pilot"
2017 Red Blooded Bo TV pilot
2017-2022 Claws Juanda Husser 11 episodes
2017 Vice Principals Nash Series regular, 9 episodes
2017 Shameless Aunt Ronnie Episode: "Fuck Paying It Forward"
2018 Into the Dark Red Episode: "Pooka!"
2019 Unbelievable RoseMarie Miniseries, 6 episodes
2019 Why Women Kill Ruby Jenkins Episode: "Practically Lethal in Every Way"
2019 Room 104 Sharon Episode: "Animal for Sale"
2021 Them The Woman 3 episodes
2022 A League of Their Own Beverly 8 episodes
2022 Let the Right One In Debra Harper 2 episodes
2023 The Mandalorian Saifir Episode: "Chapter 22 Guns For Hire"
2023 Station 19 June Hardy Episode: "What Are You Willing to Lose"
2023 Lawmen: Bass Reeves Widow Dolliver Upcoming series
2024 Fallout Upcoming series

References

  1. ^ "Dale Dickey". Rotten Tomatoes.
  2. ^ a b "Dale Dickey". Geffen Playhouse.
  3. ^ Canfield, David (July 26, 2022). "Dale Dickey: One of Hollywood's Great Scene-Stealers Finally Takes the Lead". Vanity Fair.
  4. ^ a b c "Dale Dickey - Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Yahoo!. Archived from the original on June 11, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  5. ^ Slaby, MJ (December 11, 2015). "An honor: Actress Dale Dickey speaks at UT commencement, receives honorary degree". Knoxville News Sentinel. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  6. ^ "A Very Sordid Wedding". Rotten Tomatoes.
  7. ^ "Spirit Awards: Dale Dickey wins best supporting female". Los Angeles Times. February 26, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  8. ^ Jeffery, Morgan (November 11, 2011). "'True Blood' adds Dale Dickey for fifth season". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on January 16, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  9. ^ Dibdin, Emma (August 15, 2012). "'Iron Man 3' casts 'True Blood' actress Dale Dickey". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  10. ^ Ng, Philiana (May 22, 2013). "First Look at Lifetime/History's 'Bonnie and Clyde' Miniseries (Photos)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  11. ^ Bledsoe, Wayne (March 5, 2014). "'Justified': Knoxville's Dale Dickey earns every role she captures". Knox News. Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  12. ^ Squires, John (February 12, 2015). "English-Language Regression Trailer Arrives; Ethan Hawke and Emma Watson Now Speaking English!". Dread Central. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  13. ^ "Review: 'A Love Song' gives Dale Dickey the long-overdue role of her career". Los Angeles Times. July 28, 2022.
  14. ^ Fear, David (July 28, 2022). "'A Love Song' Gives Dale Dickey the Spotlight She Deserves -- Finally". Rolling Stone.
  15. ^ "A Love Song Film Review: Dale Dickey Delivers a Career-Best Performance in Transcendent Love Story". TheWrap. July 28, 2022.
  16. ^ Aguilar, Carlos (July 29, 2022). "After Three Decades in Hollywood, 'A Love Song' Finally Turned Dale Dickey Into a Leading Lady". IndieWire.
  17. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (September 25, 2022). "'Tár' Leads Gotham Awards Nominations; 'Everything Everywhere All At Once,' 'Aftersun', 'The Inspection' Score Too". Deadline Hollywood.
  18. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 22, 2022). "Spirit Award Noms 2023: 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Leads & Will Vie For Best Picture With 'Bones And All', 'Our Father, The Devil', 'Tár' & 'Women Talking'". Deadline Hollywood.
  19. ^ "Irish Film Review: The Cry of Granuaile". Film Ireland Magazine. September 7, 2022.
  20. ^ Petski, Denise (June 6, 2023). "'Yellowstone's Mo Brings Plenty Among 4 Cast in Taylor Sheridan's 'Bass Reeves' Paramount+ Series".
  21. ^ "Quick Teaser Trailer for 'The G' Revenge Thriller Starring Dale Dickey | FirstShowing.net". www.firstshowing.net. October 16, 2023.
  22. ^ McNeely, Kelli Marchman (October 18, 2023). "Revenge Thriller 'The G' Set To Make It World Premiere".
  23. ^ "29th Chlotrudis Awards: 'After Yang,' 'Aftersun' among top winners, Dale Dickey named Best Actress". March 21, 2023.

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