Jessica Lange, renowned for her performances in popular films such as Tootsie, King Kong, and American Horror Story, has faced numerous challenges in her personal life. Despite her success in the entertainment industry, Lange’s romantic journey has been marked by difficulty. At the young age of 21, she entered into matrimony with a photographer, only to later divorce him after a few years. Since then, the talented actress has chosen not to remarry.
Born on April 20, 1949, in Minnesota, Jessica Phyllis Lange hails from a diverse heritage. Her ancestry includes German, Dutch, and Finnish roots. Growing up, Jessica was part of a family of six, which consisted of her two older sisters, Jane and Ann, as well as her younger brother, George. Her father held the professions of both a teacher and a traveling salesman, while her mother dedicated herself to homemaking. Due to her father’s line of work, the Lange family frequently relocated, constantly moving from one city to another.
In 1967, Jessica was granted a scholarship to pursue her studies in art and photography at the University of Minnesota. It was during her time there that she encountered Paco Grande, a talented Spanish photographer, whom she eventually married in 1970. Following this, Lange made the decision to leave her college education behind in favor of a more unconventional and free-spirited lifestyle. Alongside Paco, she embarked on an adventurous expedition across the United States and Mexico in a microbus, fully embracing a nomadic way of life.
The beginning of her career in films
The couple’s daring and exciting life ultimately brought them to Paris, but as they established themselves there, their relationship started to deteriorate. During their time in the City of Light, Lange uncovered her love for mime theater and ventured into the realm of modeling. Her professional journey took a momentous turn when she caught the attention of Hollywood producer Dino De Laurentiis, which led to her debut in the 1976 remake of King Kong. In the film, she portrayed the classic damsel-in-distress character. Despite the movie’s success, her performance faced criticism from reviewers, resulting in a two-year struggle to secure another acting opportunity.
However, this obstacle proved to be just a minor setback in her professional journey. In 1982, Jessica Lange created a milestone by receiving Academy Award nods for Best Actress (Frances) and Best Supporting Actress (Tootsie). This remarkable feat had not been accomplished in more than forty years. Throughout her illustrious career, she has garnered two Oscars, three Emmys, a Tony Award, and five Golden Globes.
Her relationships never worked out.
Jessica Lange had a number of relationships in her personal life. She was married to photographer Francisco “Paco” Grande from 1970 to 1982, with the divorce being finalized in the early 1980s and involving undisclosed alimony payments. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Lange was romantically linked with the famous Latvian ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. They welcomed their first child, Aleksandra Lange “Shura” Baryshnikov, in 1981.
1. In 1982, Lange began a romantic involvement with playwright Sam Shepard. Together, they welcomed two children: Hannah Jane Shepard and Samuel Walker Shepard. Throughout their relationship, they resided in different places such as Virginia, New Mexico, Minnesota, and New York City, until their separation in 2009.
She never married after her divorce.
Jessica Lange and Sam Shepherd were in a relationship for 27 years, yet they never tied the knot. Jessica mentioned that Sam was not very laid-back. Loyalty was also a problem for the couple, as both of them had been unfaithful to their previous partners. Sam confessed that he felt remorse for leaving his wife and child for Jessica. Jessica has openly discussed her ongoing struggles with severe depression, attributing her creativity to the well of emotions such as anguish, rage, and sadness that she experiences.
She has chosen to not let the negatives pull her down.
Following the birth of her children, her focus shifted entirely to them. She feels that they have provided her with a fresh outlook on life. “Every decision I make is made with my children in consideration. Being a mother is the most fulfilling role I have ever had,” she shares.
In spite of facing her own obstacles, Lange has dedicated herself to various charitable endeavors. She is actively involved as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. Moreover, in the early 1990s, she took in a child with special needs from Romania, showcasing her dedication to humanitarian efforts.
Jessica Lange continues to be an influential figure in the industry, consistently voicing her concerns about the gender bias prevalent in Hollywood. Recently, she showcased her remarkable talent in the movie Marlowe, marking another significant milestone in her career. Similarly, Kathy Bates, her co-star from American Horror Story, continues to captivate audiences
Can You Guess What They Were Used For?
Today, let’s have a little game! What purpose did these vintage items serve, do you know? These enigmatic things, which range from strange equipment to unusual decorative pieces, may leave you perplexed. Don’t worry, though; try it and see if you can envision what people in earlier eras did with these fascinating objects.
First Item: The Coin Gatherer
First up, we have a mixed-metal object with connectors on the sides and slots on top. Do you know what it was used for in the past?
You’re 100% correct if you assumed it was a coin collector! Conductors of trains and buses would deposit the fares into slots and then pick up the neatly piled coins from the bottom. They could fasten it to their belts using the hooks on the sides. Remarkably, a contemporary rendition of this is still in use at a few locations where admission is free of charge. Pretty smart, huh?
The Sand-Filled Swim Cap is item #2.
This is an intriguing cap with chin straps, a blue interior, and a feminine printed pattern. Would you want to guess? Here’s a hint: it has sand inside of it!
Actually, this peculiar headgear is an antique handmade swim cap. People used to love modeling swim caps after the aviatrix fashion trend back in the 1920s. However, home sewers had trouble finding rubber ingredients. They then devised a clever fix: the cap was filled with sand, and the channels and stitches were machine-sewn.
Why the sand? As a water blocker, it lets swimmers select their own fabric pattern rather than being restricted to yellow or black rubber. Undoubtedly a novel strategy!
The Iron Flue Damper is item #3.
Now look at this iron object that has two stamps on it. Along an iron post with a spiraling end, the iron plate swivels. Any suggestions?
You’re exactly right if you assumed it to be an iron flue damper! Even though they are rarely seen, these iron flue dampers are still in use today. We enjoy finding unique artifacts that are a part of our past when we go antique shopping. It resembles going back in time!
The Victorian Shop Dispenser (Item #4)
Admire this metal box with a beveled glass front and elaborate gold stenciling. It even features a tiny sliding door with a dog picture on it. How do you suppose it was put to use?
Actually, this graceful box is a Victorian-style shop dispenser. It came in several sizes and was intended for bulk sales. This one had a label insert for gunpowder, but it may have also been used for bulk commodities like sugar or confectionery. Customers could see the quality of the products they were buying because to the glass front. Why was there a picture of dogs hunting? Well, since the purpose was to hold gunpowder exclusively, it’s merely an ornamental touch. This is a very fascinating essay, isn’t it?
The Cedar Butter Churn is item #5.
Take a look at this big wooden drum with a handle, a footed base, and a lid. There’s a crank on the side of it also. Any ideas about what it’s meant to accomplish?
This wooden drum is a butter churn made of cedar. To produce more butter, it was utilized. It says “Farm Master Dairy Supplies” on the other side. However, we didn’t want to reveal anything too quickly! Knowing about these antiquated gadgets truly transports us to a bygone era of ease.
The Soda Bottle Stand is item #6.
Look at this three-tiered metal stand for a moment. Each tier has a notch carved out of it. It is nearly four feet tall and supports itself on three legs. What was the purpose of it, do you suppose?
The purpose of this booth was to showcase Coke bottles—but not just any soda. Nehi purposely made it as part of their marketing strategy for their soda bottles. With their handy necks, the bottles fit well in the triangle shape with the notches. These stands used to be found in grocery stores and local stores during the Great Depression. They were really impressive!
There you have it, then! These enigmatic objects transport us through time and serve as a reminder of the inventiveness and resourcefulness of earlier generations. How many of those were accurate guesses, then?
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