Sissy Spacek

Playing memorable roles in "Carrie," the "Coal Miner's Daughter," and "The Help," Sissy Spacek is one of Hollywood's most respected actresses. Her career spans more than 40 years.

Sissy Spacek in Terrence Malick's "Badlands" (1973). — Warner Brothers

Spacek starred in the 1973 film "Badlands." The movie dramatized the Starkweather-Fugate killing spree of the 1950s, in which a teenage girl and her boyfriend slaughtered her entire family and several others in the Dakota badlands.

Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek in Terrence Malick's "Badlands" — Warner Brothers

Spacek and Martin Sheen in the 1973 Terrence Malick film, "Badlands." Inspired by the true story of youthful murderers Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate, "Badlands" is atypical of young-criminals-on-the-run sagas. Kit (Sheen), a fastidious garbage man who attracts a teenage girl, Holly (Spacek, in her first role), and leads her on a spree of wanton murder. Kit kills Holly's father (Warren Oates) and several law enforcement officers, and teaches her the way of violence.

The murders are set against Holly's plaintive, eerily ambivalent voiceover narration. "We had our bad moments, like any couple. Kit accused me of only being along for the ride, while at times I wished he'd fall in the river and drown, so I could watch. ? I grew to love the forest. The cooing of the doves and the hum of dragonflies in the air made it always seem lonesome and like everybody's dead and gone ..."

Spacek is seen playing the title character in the 1976 horror movie "Carrie."

Spacek won an Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of country music star Loretta Lynn in the 1980 film "Coal Miner's Daughter."

Loretta Lynn and Sissy Spacek pose in the press room at the 44th Annual CMA Awards on Nov. 10, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn. Spacek played the country music star in the 1980 film "Coal Miner's Daughter."

Photos: CMA Awards Red Carpet
Photos: CMA Awards Highlights

Spacek opposite Kevin Costner in the 1991 film "JFK."

Sissy Spacek is seen here with Tom Wilkinson in a scene from the 2001 drama "In the Bedroom."

Sissy Spacek holds the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. She won the award for "In the Bedroom."

In the 2002 film "Tuck Everlasting," Spacek plays Mae Tuck, the matriarch of a family that cannot die.

Spacek attends a special screening of "Get Low," hosted by the Cinema Society and Sony Alpha Nex, on Tuesday, July 21, 2010, in New York. Spacek played the love interest of a town hermit.

Sissy Spacek poses with her fellow cast members at the premiere of "Four Christmases" in Los Angeles on Nov. 20, 2008. Left to right, Katy Mixon, Kristin Chenoweth, Reese Witherspoon, Sissy Spacek and Mary Steenburgen.

Sissy Spacek played in the hit 2011 movie, "The Help." Spacek played Missus Walters, the mother of Emma Stone's character Hilly Holbrooks. Though suffering from early Alzheimers, Missus Walters maintains a healthy sense of humor, particularly where her bossy daughter is concerned.

Sissy Spacek arrives at the premiere of "The Help" in Beverly Hills, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011.