Octavia Spencer is an Academy Award and Golden Globe award-winning actor and film producer, but her story has many different turns. Octavia thought studying law would be her path to change the world. But when a movie started production in her hometown of Montgomery, Alabama, her persistence landed her an internship that set her on a path to a successful career in Hollywood.

Octavia joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about her inspiration to become an actor and producer, as well as the challenges she has faced as a Black woman in the entertainment industry. Octavia also shares her passion for giving back through her involvement with City Year Los Angeles, an organization that focuses on using the power of education to lift historically underrepresented groups out of poverty. Jay and Octavia also get into why, in spite of success as an actor, she evolved into an actor and producer and is driven by her desire to create authentic narratives and provide opportunities for Black and underrepresented groups in Hollywood.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(03:25) Octavia's Early Life and Career

(06:44) Breaking into Hollywood

(14:00) Challenges and Triumphs in Hollywood

(18:32) ‘The Help’ and Other Iconic Roles

(28:13) Passion for Education: City Year and Giving Back

(30:18) Becoming a Producer

(35:10) Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts

(38:27) Conclusion and Credits

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Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at www.jayruderman.com.