Martha Plimpton is genuinely curious about others, a rare trait in actors, despite the importance of being so for their jobs. Wait an actor who isn’t narcissistic? It happens! That said, acting means many different things. Some folks are lucky enough to be paid to act and manage to fail upwards. Others shine in a particular genre, say Shakespearean regional theater or as a “nosy neighbor” roles on sitcoms or as a walking STD in PSA’s. But it is rare for even great actors to truly embody a slew of different characters across mediums. Martha Plimpton is that exceptional actor. I don’t know whether she’d describe her day job or even spirit animal as being a chameleon, but that’s what she’s been doing for the past three decades in over 35 films and television shows, on Broadway and off off off Broadway.

As a kid, Plimpton made her debut in theater, but became known for her roles in critically acclaimed and box office films hits like Mosquito Coast, The Gooines, Running on Empty, and Parenthood.

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