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Jamie Lee Curtis is leaning into transformative roles at this stage in her career. "It's all I'm looking for," says the 66-year-old Oscar winner, who has built a reputation for disappearing into her characters.
Her recent roles highlight this evolution. Curtis won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Deirdre Beaubeirdra, a frumpy IRS auditor, in Everything Everywhere All at Once, and an Emmy for playing the chain-smoking matriarch Donna Berzatto in The Bear. In her latest project, The Last Showgirl, Curtis transforms into a weathered cocktail waitress with a "red shag" wig and a spray-tanned, leathery look.
However, in her upcoming Prime Video series, Scarpetta, Curtis is stepping into a more glamorous role. She plays Dorothy, the sister of medical examiner Kay Scarpetta (portrayed by Nicole Kidman), in the adaptation of Patricia Cornwell's popular book series. This role, which requires Curtis to embrace a polished and fashionable aesthetic, is a stark contrast to her recent gritty characters. "I have to look cute, and I hate it," Curtis jokes, showing off her French-tipped manicure. "She's a maneater, and it's all about what she looks like."
Scarpetta is a mystery thriller following Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta as she returns to Virginia and navigates complicated personal and professional relationships. Curtis, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Kidman, has long been a fan of Cornwell's books and is excited to bring the series to life. "The ardent fans of the books will be very happy, and new audiences will be compelled by the characters, crimes, and mysteries that are the trifecta of Patricia's masterful storytelling," Curtis said in a statement last fall.
Before Scarpetta debuts, Curtis is focused on The Last Showgirl, set to hit theaters on January 10. The film stars Pamela Anderson as Shelly, a Las Vegas dancer grappling with the closure of her decades-long show. Curtis joined the project because of her belief in Anderson's ability to shine in the role. "I understood the opportunity this would present for her to be an artist," Curtis explains. "I made horror movies at 19 and waited a long time to be an artist. I get to be an artist now."
With a career marked by reinvention, Curtis continues to captivate audiences with her dynamic performances and willingness to embrace challenging roles.
