From Chatsworth High Stage to Films
Actress/singer Mare Winningham earned an Oscar nomination for her role in the film “Georgia” last year, but her beginnings were more humble: “The Gong Show.”
Her parents--Mom was a teacher and Dad a football coach--didn’t have the money to pay all the tuition at a summer arts camp, so Winningham won the balance singing “Here, There and Everywhere” for Chuck Barris and company.
After that, though, things took off. Winningham, who lived in Granada Hills, was spotted in Chatsworth High School’s 1977 production of “The Sound of Music” her senior year, and signed by talent agent Meyer Mishkin.
In 1980, she won a supporting actress Emmy for the TV movie “Amber Waves.”
Winningham became best-known as a youthful, wholesome-looking actress seen in about 30 TV movies and more than a dozen feature films, including “Wyatt Earp” and “St. Elmo’s Fire.” But her role as a folk-country singer in “Georgia” reminded many fans that she has musical talents as well.
She released her first album, “What Might Be,” in 1992 and has songs on the “Georgia” soundtrack.
A mother of five, she now lives in Sonoma.
Only good movies
Get the Indie Focus newsletter, Mark Olsen's weekly guide to the world of cinema.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
