Dianne Wiest , born on March 28, 1948, is an American actress known for her versatility and ability to convey vulnerability and understated comic talent. Wiest's early aspirations were in ballet, but she transitioned to acting after high school plays, earning a degree from the University of Maryland in 1969. Throughout the 1970s, she had numerous stage appearances, including an Obie Award-winning performance in The Art of Dining (1979). Wiest made her screen debut in It’s My Turn (1980). She received two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her roles in Woody Allen’s Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) and Bullets over Broadway (1994). She also won two Emmy Awards, one for Road to Avonlea (1997) and another for In Treatment (2008).

What type of work is Dianne Wiest known for?

Dianne Wiest, born on March 28, 1948, is an American actress known for her versatility, ability to convey vulnerability, and understated comic talent. Throughout the 1970s, Wiest had numerous stage appearances. Her screen debut was in the film It’s My Turn (1980). Wiest won an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her performance in Woody Allen’s Hannah and Her Sisters (1986). She earned a second supporting actress Oscar for Allen’s Bullets over Broadway (1994). In the 21st century, Wiest found many of her best roles on television, including two seasons of Law & Order .

In which movies or TV shows has Dianne Wiest acted?

Dianne Wiest, born on March 28, 1948, is an American actress known for her versatility and understated comic talents . Wiest's filmography includes roles in The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), Radio Days (1987), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Bullets Over Broadway (1994), The Birdcage (1996), and The Horse Whisperer (1998). In television, she has appeared in Road to Avonlea (1990–96), Law & Order (2000–2002), In Treatment (2008–2010), Life in Pieces (2015–19), and Mayor of Kingstown (2021– ). Wiest won Primetime Emmy Awards for Road to Avonlea and In Treatment .

Which awards has Dianne Wiest won for her acting?

Dianne Wiest has received several awards for her acting performances. Awards * Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress ( Hannah and Her Sisters in 1986 and Bullets Over Broadway in 1994) * Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture ( Bullets Over Broadway in 1994) * Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series ( Road to Avonlea in 1997) * Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series ( In Treatment in 2008) * Obie Award ( The Art of Dining in 1979)

How has Dianne Wiest's career influenced American film and television?

Dianne Wiest is an American actress known for her versatility and understated comic talent. Wiest's early work included numerous stage appearances, such as her Obie Award-winning performance in The Art of Dining (1979). Wiest's screen debut was in It's My Turn (1980). She gained notice for her roles in Woody Allen's films, such as The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), and Bullets over Broadway (1994), earning her two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress. In the 21st century, Wiest found prominent roles in television, winning two Emmy Awards for her work in Road to Avonlea (1990–96) and In Treatment (2008–10).

What are some unique qualities of Dianne Wiest's acting style and roles?

Dianne Wiest is an American actress known for her versatility and ability to express vulnerability, as well as her understated comic talent. Wiest's early stage work led to her screen debut in 1980, and she gained attention for her role in Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985). Allen later cast Wiest as Holly in Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), which earned her an Academy Award for best supporting actress. She received a second supporting actress Oscar for her performance in Allen’s Bullets over Broadway (1994). In the 21st century, Wiest has found some of her best roles in television, including Law & Order (2000-2002) and In Treatment (2008–10), for which she won a second Emmy Award in 2008.

Dianne Wiest

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Mia Farrow, Barbara Hershey, and Dianne Wiest stand close together outdoors, smiling, in a publicity photo for the 1986 film Hannah and Her Sisters.

Quick Facts

Born:: March 28, 1948, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. (age 78)

Awards And Honors:: Emmy Award (1997); Golden Globe Award (1995); Academy Award (1995); Academy Award (1987); Academy Award (1995): Actress in a Supporting Role; Academy Award (1987): Actress in a Supporting Role; Emmy Award (2008): Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series; Emmy Award (1997): Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series; Golden Globe Award (1995): Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In):: "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2001–2002); "Edward Scissorhands" (1990); "Law & Order" (2000–2002); "September" (1987); "The Mule" (2018); "Dan in Real Life" (2007); "Radio Days" (1987); "Practical Magic" (1998); "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2001); "Rabbit Hole" (2010); "Rage" (2009); "I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can" (1982); "The 10th Kingdom" (2000); "Bright Lights, Big City" (1988); "The Horse Whisperer" (1998); "Great Performances" (1978); "Theater Close-Up" (2014); "Parenthood" (1989); "Falling in Love" (1984); "Independence Day" (1983); "Life in Pieces" (2015–2019); "Little Man Tate" (1991); "Poe" (2013); "The Blacklist" (2014); "The Associate" (1996); "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" (2012); "The Birdcage" (1996); "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints" (2006); "Hannah and Her Sisters" (1986); "Footloose" (1984); "The Big Year" (2011); "Merci Docteur Rey" (2002); "Darling Companion" (2012); "The Humbling" (2014); "Not Afraid, Not Afraid" (2001); "Bullets Over Broadway" (1994); "The Return of Jezebel James" (2008); "Drunks" (1995); "Robots" (2005); "Cops and Robbersons" (1994); "Sisters" (2015); "Disneyland" (1987); "In Treatment" (2008–2009); "The Lost Boys" (1987); "Cookie" (1989); "It's My Turn" (1980); "Synecdoche, New York" (2008); "Dedication" (2007); "The Scout" (1994); "The Purple Rose of Cairo" (1985); "Passengers" (2008); "Road to Avonlea" (1996); "Five Nights in Maine" (2015); "I Am Sam" (2001)

See all related content

Diane Wiest Diane Wiest during a rehearsal for a Memorial Day concert in Washington, D.C., 2014.

Dianne Wiest

American actress

Written by

Patricia Bauer

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

History

Top Questions

Who is Dianne Wiest?
Dianne Wiest, born on March 28, 1948, is an American actress known for her versatility and ability to convey vulnerability and understated comic talent.

Wiest's early aspirations were in ballet, but she transitioned to acting after high school plays, earning a degree from the University of Maryland in 1969. Throughout the 1970s, she had numerous stage appearances, including an Obie Award-winning performance in The Art of Dining (1979).

Wiest made her screen debut in It’s My Turn (1980). She received two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her roles in Woody Allen’s Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) and Bullets over Broadway (1994). She also won two Emmy Awards, one for Road to Avonlea (1997) and another for In Treatment (2008).
2 Britannica Sources
1. Dianne Wiest
2. Dianne Wiest: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What type of work is Dianne Wiest known for?
Dianne Wiest, born on March 28, 1948, is an American actress known for her versatility, ability to convey vulnerability, and understated comic talent. Throughout the 1970s, Wiest had numerous stage appearances. Her screen debut was in the film It’s My Turn (1980). Wiest won an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her performance in Woody Allen’s Hannah and Her Sisters (1986). She earned a second supporting actress Oscar for Allen’s Bullets over Broadway (1994). In the 21st century, Wiest found many of her best roles on television, including two seasons of Law & Order.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Dianne Wiest
2. Dianne Wiest: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
In which movies or TV shows has Dianne Wiest acted?
Dianne Wiest, born on March 28, 1948, is an American actress known for her versatility and understated comic talents.

Wiest's filmography includes roles in The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), Radio Days (1987), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Bullets Over Broadway (1994), The Birdcage (1996), and The Horse Whisperer (1998).

In television, she has appeared in Road to Avonlea (1990–96), Law & Order (2000–2002), In Treatment (2008–2010), Life in Pieces (2015–19), and Mayor of Kingstown (2021– ). Wiest won Primetime Emmy Awards for Road to Avonlea and In Treatment.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Dianne Wiest
2. Dianne Wiest: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Which awards has Dianne Wiest won for her acting?
Dianne Wiest has received several awards for her acting performances.

Awards
* Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress ( Hannah and Her Sisters in 1986 and Bullets Over Broadway in 1994)
* Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture ( Bullets Over Broadway in 1994)
* Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (Road to Avonlea in 1997)
* Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (In Treatment in 2008)
* Obie Award (The Art of Dining in 1979)
2 Britannica Sources
1. Dianne Wiest
2. Dianne Wiest: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How has Dianne Wiest's career influenced American film and television?
Dianne Wiest is an American actress known for her versatility and understated comic talent. Wiest's early work included numerous stage appearances, such as her Obie Award-winning performance in The Art of Dining (1979).

Wiest's screen debut was in It's My Turn (1980). She gained notice for her roles in Woody Allen's films, such as The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), and Bullets over Broadway (1994), earning her two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress.

In the 21st century, Wiest found prominent roles in television, winning two Emmy Awards for her work in Road to Avonlea (1990–96) and In Treatment (2008–10).
2 Britannica Sources
1. Dianne Wiest
2. Dianne Wiest: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some unique qualities of Dianne Wiest's acting style and roles?
Dianne Wiest is an American actress known for her versatility and ability to express vulnerability, as well as her understated comic talent.

Wiest's early stage work led to her screen debut in 1980, and she gained attention for her role in Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985). Allen later cast Wiest as Holly in Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), which earned her an Academy Award for best supporting actress. She received a second supporting actress Oscar for her performance in Allen’s Bullets over Broadway (1994). In the 21st century, Wiest has found some of her best roles in television, including Law & Order (2000-2002) and In Treatment (2008–10), for which she won a second Emmy Award in 2008.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Dianne Wiest
2. Dianne Wiest: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Dianne Wiest (born March 28, 1948, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.) is an American actress who gained respect for her ability to convey vulnerability, her versatility, and her understated comic talents.

Wiest studied ballet as a child in Germany and at the School of American Ballet, but, after appearing in high-school plays, she decided on an acting career. Wiest graduated in 1969 from the University of Maryland and moved to New York City. She earned an understudy role in Kurt Vonnegut’s play Happy Birthday, Wanda June (1970–71) on Broadway and had numerous stage appearances throughout the 1970s. Her performance as a clumsy restaurant patron in The Art of Dining (1979) at the Joseph Papp Public Theater earned her an Obie Award. Other notable performances were as Masha in a 1982 production of Three Sisters and as Desdemona in a 1982 Broadway production of Othello that starred James Earl Jones and Christopher Plummer.

*Hannah and Her Sisters*(From left) Mia Farrow, Barbara Hershey, and Dianne Wiest in the film *Hannah and Her Sisters* (1986).

Wiest’s screen debut was in the minor film It’s My Turn (1980), starring Jill Clayburgh. She played the therapist of the protagonist (Clayburgh) in I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can (1982) and won praise for her portrayal of a battered wife in the little-seen Independence Day (1983). She also appeared in Footloose (1984) before gaining notice playing a Depression-era prostitute in Woody Allen’s The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985). Allen cast Wiest in a more substantive role, that of flighty cocaine-snorting Holly, in his Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), and her performance in that film earned her an Academy Award for best supporting actress and a nomination for the Golden Globe Award. She was nominated for a BAFTA Award for her role as the protagonist’s maiden aunt in Allen’s Radio Days (1987), and she starred with Mia Farrow, Elaine Stritch, and Sam Waterston in Allen’s September (1987). Wiest played mothers in The Lost Boys (1987), Bright Lights, Big City (1988), and Ron Howard’s Parenthood (1989), and the latter portrayal earned her Golden Globe and Oscar nominations.

By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Empty movie theater and blank screen (theatre, motion pictures, cinema).

Britannica Quiz

Oscar-Worthy Movie Trivia

Wiest starred with Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands (1990) and later played a psychologist in Little Man Tate (1991). She was cast as an alcoholic has-been actress in Allen’s Bullets over Broadway (1994), for which she earned a second supporting actress Oscar as well as a Golden Globe Award. Wiest also won an Emmy Award (1997) for a guest part in the television series Road to Avonlea (1990–96). She played a right-wing senator’s wife in Mike Nichols’s The Birdcage (1996) and the title character’s sister-in-law in The Horse Whisperer (1998).

*The Blacklist*Diane Wiest and Thomas Kopache in an episode (2014) of *The Blacklist*.

In the 21st century Wiest found many of her best roles on television. She portrayed a district attorney for two seasons (2000–02) of the series Law & Order (1990–2010) and won a second Emmy Award (2008) for her role as a retired psychotherapist in In Treatment (2008–10). In addition, she was a cast member of the series Life in Pieces (2015–19), and she costarred with Jeremy Renner in Mayor of Kingstown (2021– ), a drama about a powerful family in a city that is economically dependent on the local prisons. Wiest’s films during this time included Clint Eastwood’s The Mule (2018) and Let Them All Talk (2020), a dramedy starring Meryl Streep.

Patricia Bauer The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Dianne Wiest

Thank you for signing up!