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here ’ s just something enticing and intriguing about the redheaded , green-eyed acclaimed film and TV actress , Julianne Moore . The 56-year old flaunts an impressive acting resume and has starred with some of Hollywood ’ s biggest stars . And in 2015 , she added a Golden Globe and Oscar to her list of accomplishments with her lead role in Still Alice , portraying a woman with early onset Alzheimer ’ s . But what you might not know is the North Carolina born bombshell wasn ’ t always the cool and confident woman you see on the big screen .
Growing Up
Due to her father ’ s military service , Moore had a transient childhood , constantly changing schools and moving around . The young Moore became the bully ’ s punching bag , always being teased and harassed over a look that would eventually make her a household name .
“ When I was 7 , these kids in the alley behind our house in Omaha called me ‘ Freckleface Strawberry .’ I hated my freckles and I hated that name ,” she explained to Redbook .
After attending high school in Germany , Moore studied at Boston University ’ s School of Performing Arts before moving to New York City and embarking on the path to stardom .
Early Career
Moore ’ s first major television role was in 1985 , joining the cast of As the World Turns . That role scored her a Daytime Emmy Award and resulted in a transition from TV to film .
Her first notable movie was her supporting role in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle ( 1992 ), and things took off from there . She appeared in Madonna ’ s dramatic dud Body of Evidence , as well as the quirky romantic tale Benny & Joon with Johnny Depp . Moore also landed roles in The Fugitive and Robert Altman ’ s Short Cuts .
Becoming a leading lady
In 1997 , Moore was cast in Steven Spielberg ’ s The Lost World : Jurassic Park ; she also picked up her first Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress in Boogie Nights , where she played a porn star .
Her career continued to grow stronger from there , as she landed roles in The Big Lebowski ( 1998 ); a remake of Alfred Hitchcock ’ s Psycho ; and Hannibal ( 2001 ), the sequel to The Silence of the Lambs . In 2002 , she took on challenging roles in Far From Heaven , playing a 1950s stay-at-home mother whose picture-perfect life unexpectedly shatters . She also starred in The Hours , portraying another 1950s housewife who contemplates freeing herself from her suburban shackles .
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People say , ‘ Oh , you ’ re so brave ,’ or ‘ You ’ re such a brave actress .’ But to be brave connotes that you have to be afraid .
I ’ m not really afraid of things that are imaginary . I enjoy it .
DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | MAY / JUNE 2016
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