Menu
Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer

Known For Acting
Birthday May 25, 1970 (55)
Birthplace Montgomery, Alabama, USA
Popularity 1 (history)
Updated May 25, 2025
Entry Date Apr 13, 2024
Links TMDb IMDb
Biography

Octavia Lenora Spencer (born May 25, 1970) is an American actress. She has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Golden Globe Award, in addition to nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards. Spencer made her film debut in the 1996 drama A Time t ... o Kill. Following a decade of brief roles in film and television, her breakthrough came in 2011 when she played a maid in 1960s America in the drama film The Help, which won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. In ensuing years, she won the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Ryan Coogler's biopic Fruitvale Station (2013), had a recurring role in the CBS sitcom Mom (2013–2015), and starred in the Fox drama series Red Band Society (2014–2015). Spencer's roles as other black women in 1960s America, as Dorothy Vaughan in the biopic Hidden Figures (2016) and a cleaning woman in the fantasy The Shape of Water (2017), earned her two consecutive nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first black actress to achieve such feat, as well as the first, and to date only, to be nominated twice after winning. She has since starred in The Divergent Series (2015–16), The Shack (2017), Gifted (2017), Instant Family (2018), Luce (2019), Ma (2019), Onward (2020), and Spirited(2022). She led the Apple TV+ drama series Truth Be Told (2019–2023). She was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for portraying Madam C. J. Walker in the Netflix miniseries Self Made (2020). As an author, Spencer created the children's book series Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective. She has published two books in the series: The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit (2013) and The Sweetest Heist in History (2015). Description above from the Wikipedia article Octavia Spencer, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Known For

Headshots

Profile
Profile
Profile
Profile
Profile
Profile
Profile
Profile
Profile
Filmography

Smurfs

Smurfs

2025

as Asmodius (voice)

Spirited

Spirited

2022

as Kimberly

Thunder Force

Thunder Force

2021

as Emily Stanton

Encounter

Encounter

2021

as Hattie Hayes

Roald Dahl's The Witches

Roald Dahl's The Witches

2020

as Grandma

Onward

Onward

2020

as The Manticore (voice)

Superintelligence

Superintelligence

2020

as Voice of Octavia Spencer (voice)

Dolittle

Dolittle

2020

as Dab-Dab (voice)

Ma

Ma

2019

as Sue Ann

Luce

Luce

2019

as Harriet Wilson

Small Town Crime

Small Town Crime

2018

as Kelly Banks

A Kid Like Jake

A Kid Like Jake

2018

as Judy

Instant Family

Instant Family

2018

as Karen

The Shack

The Shack

2017

as Papa / Elouisa

Car Dogs

Car Dogs

2017

as Mrs. Barrett

The Shape of Water

The Shape of Water

2017

as Zelda Fuller

Gifted

Gifted

2017

as Roberta Taylor

Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures

2016

as Dorothy Vaughan

The Free World

The Free World

2016

as Linda Workman

Allegiant

Allegiant

2016

as Johanna Reyes

Zootopia

Zootopia

2016

as Mrs. Otterton (voice)

Bad Santa 2

Bad Santa 2

2016

as Opal

The Great Gilly Hopkins

The Great Gilly Hopkins

2015

as Miss Harris

Fathers and Daughters

Fathers and Daughters

2015

as Dr. Corman

Insurgent

Insurgent

2015

as Johanna Reyes

Black or White

Black or White

2014

as Rowena Jeffers

Get on Up

Get on Up

2014

as Aunt Honey

Fruitvale Station

Fruitvale Station

2013

as Wanda

Paradise

Paradise

2013

as Loray

Call Me Crazy: A Five Film

Call Me Crazy: A Five Film

2013

as Dr. Nance

Lost on Purpose

Lost on Purpose

2013

as Nurse Keller

Jesus People

Jesus People

2013

as Angel Angelique

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

2013

as Martha (voice)

Blues for Willadean

Blues for Willadean

2012

as LeSonia Robinson

Smashed

Smashed

2012

as Jenny

The Help

The Help

2011

as Minny Jackson

Flypaper

Flypaper

2011

as Madge Wiggins

Just Peck

Just Peck

2011

as Detention Teacher

Small Town Saturday Night

Small Town Saturday Night

2010

as Rhonda Dooley

Peep World

Peep World

2010

as Alison

Dinner for Schmucks

Dinner for Schmucks

2010

as Madame Nora

Love and Distrust

Love and Distrust

2010

as Rhonda (segment "Auto Motives")

Herpes Boy

Herpes Boy

2009

as Rochelle

Love at First Hiccup

Love at First Hiccup

2009

as Mrs. Hambrick

The Soloist

The Soloist

2009

as Troubled Woman

Halloween II

Halloween II

2009

as Nurse Daniels

Drag Me to Hell

Drag Me to Hell

2009

as Bank Co-Worker

The Spleenectomy

The Spleenectomy

2008

as Nurse

Pretty Ugly People

Pretty Ugly People

2008

as Mary

Seven Pounds

Seven Pounds

2008

as Kate the Home Health Care Nurse

The Nines

The Nines

2007

as Streetwalker

Pulse

Pulse

2006

as Landlady

Coach Carter

Coach Carter

2005

as Mrs. Battle

Beauty Shop

Beauty Shop

2005

as Big Customer

Pretty Persuasion

Pretty Persuasion

2005

as Woman

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous

2005

as Middle-Aged Woman

Breakin' All the Rules

Breakin' All the Rules

2004

as Stylist

Chicken Party

Chicken Party

2003

as Laqueta Mills

Sol Goode

Sol Goode

2003

as Unemployment Clerk

S.W.A.T.

S.W.A.T.

2003

as Neighbor in Alley

Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde

Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde

2003

as Security Guard

Bad Santa

Bad Santa

2003

as Opal

Little John

Little John

2002

as Waitress

Spider-Man

Spider-Man

2002

as Check-In Girl

The Journeyman

The Journeyman

2001

as Black Belly

Everything Put Together

Everything Put Together

2001

as Nurse B

Follow the Stars Home

Follow the Stars Home

2001

as Hildy

The Sky is Falling

The Sky is Falling

2001

as Nurse #2

Missing Pieces

Missing Pieces

2001

as Elegant Guest (as Octavia L. Spencer)

Four Dogs Playing Poker

Four Dogs Playing Poker

2000

as Waitress

Big Momma's House

Big Momma's House

2000

as Twila

What Planet Are You From?

What Planet Are You From?

2000

as Baby Nurse

American Virgin

American Virgin

2000

as Agnes Large

Never Been Kissed

Never Been Kissed

1999

as Cynthia

Lansky

Lansky

1999

as Evelyn

Being John Malkovich

Being John Malkovich

1999

as Woman in Elevator

Blue Streak

Blue Streak

1999

as Shawna

The 6th Man

The 6th Man

1997

as Nativity Watson

Sparkler

Sparkler

1997

as Wanda

Valley Girls

Valley Girls

1996

as Cheerleader

A Time to Kill

A Time to Kill

1996

as Roark's Nurse

No data available

No data available

Ma

Ma

2019

Executive Producer

Green Book

Green Book

2018

Executive Producer

Small Town Crime

Small Town Crime

2018

Executive Producer

Fruitvale Station

Fruitvale Station

2013

Co-Executive Producer

Organization Category Movie
Academy Awards Best Supporting Actor The Help Won
Academy Awards Best Supporting Actress The Shape of Water Nominated
Golden Globes Best Supporting Actor The Help Won
Golden Globes Best Supporting Actress The Help Won
Golden Globes Best Supporting Actress The Shape of Water Nominated
BAFTA Awards Best Supporting Actor The Help Won
Sundance Film Festival Best Actress Fruitvale Station Nominated
Sundance Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Fruitvale Station Won
SAG Awards Best Supporting Actor The Help Nominated
SAG Awards Best Supporting Actress The Help Won
BAFTA Awards Best Supporting Actress Hidden Figures Nominated
SAG Awards Best Supporting Actress Hidden Figures Won
Television Credits

The Chronicle

as Ruby Rydell

Episodes: 22

First Aired: Jul 14, 2001

Truth Be Told

as Poppy Parnell

Episodes: 18

First Aired: Dec 06, 2019

Red Band Society

as Nurse Jackson

Episodes: 13

First Aired: Sep 17, 2014

Truth Be Told

as Poppy Scoville

Episodes: 10

First Aired: Dec 06, 2019

Mom

as Regina Tompkins

Episodes: 9

First Aired: Sep 23, 2013

LAX

as Flight Attendant

Episodes: 6

First Aired: Sep 13, 2004

Raising the Bar

as Arvina Watkins

Episodes: 5

First Aired: Sep 01, 2008

Ugly Betty

as Constance Grady

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Sep 28, 2006

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker

as Madam C. J. Walker

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Mar 20, 2020

Wizards of Waverly Place

as Dr. Evilini

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Oct 12, 2007

Medium

as Jurist

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 03, 2005

The Big Bang Theory

as Octavia

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 24, 2007

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

as Sherry

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 06, 2000

Malcolm in the Middle

as Cashier

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 09, 2000

CSI: NY

as Child Welfare Rep

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 22, 2004

Dharma & Greg

as Gloria

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 24, 1997

The X-Files

as Nurse

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1993

Becker

as Ticket Woman

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Nov 02, 1998

Roswell

as Nurse

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 06, 1999

Just Shoot Me!

as Nurse

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 04, 1997

ER

as Maria Jones

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 19, 1994

Dollhouse

as Professor Janack

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 13, 2009

Drunk History

as Harriet Tubman

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 09, 2013

30 Rock

as Octavia Spencer

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 11, 2006

Untitled Tessa Coates Action-Adventure Series

as Debbie

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Unknown

Hallmark Hall of Fame

as Hildy

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Dec 24, 1951

Hallmark Hall of Fame

as Waitress

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Dec 24, 1951

The Goldbergs

as Felicia (voice)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 24, 2013

The Santa Stories

as Detective Grinchauser

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Dec 08, 2023

Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party

as Team Martha

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Nov 07, 2016

black-ish

as Octavia Spencer

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 24, 2014

Young Sheldon

as Officer Rhonda Tomasson

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 25, 2017

American Dad!

as Shonteeva (voice)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 06, 2005

Standoff

as Rapid Air Clerk

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 05, 2006

Halfway Home

Episodes: 10

First Aired: Mar 14, 2007

The Graham Norton Show

as Self

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Feb 22, 2007

Lost Women of Highway 20

as Host

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Nov 05, 2023

Titus

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Mar 20, 2000

The Jennifer Hudson Show

as Self

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 12, 2022

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

as Self

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Jan 26, 2003

Presidio Med

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 24, 2002

Moesha

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 23, 1996

Cavemen

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 2007

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 08, 2003

Grounded for Life

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 10, 2001

Hallmark Hall of Fame

as Elegant guest

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Dec 24, 1951

Chicago Hope

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 18, 1994

The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 04, 2006

The Daily Show

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 22, 1996

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 03, 2005

Late Night with Seth Meyers

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 25, 2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 17, 2014

The Kelly Clarkson Show

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 09, 2019

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

as Self - Guest

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 16, 2009

Saturday Night Live

as Self - Host

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 11, 1975

The Oscars

as Self - Presenter

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 19, 1953

To Tell the Truth

as Self - Panelist

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jun 14, 2016

Entertainment Tonight

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 15, 1981

Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 02, 2015

Off Camera with Sam Jones

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 06, 2014

Variety Studio: Actors on Actors

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Dec 21, 2014

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 5 21 21 21
2024 6 25 36 12
2024 7 32 51 15
2024 8 23 53 14
2024 9 20 36 12
2024 10 18 36 12
2024 11 18 31 11
2024 12 22 43 12
2025 1 31 57 14
2025 2 17 33 4
2025 3 7 28 0
2025 4 2 2 1
2025 5 5 8 1
2025 6 3 5 1
2025 7 2 2 1
2025 8 1 2 1
2025 9 1 2 0
2025 10 1 1 1

Trending Rank


Year Month Avg Rank Max Rank
2024 5 494 388
2024 6 402 13
2025 1 787 673
2025 2 800 565
2025 5 136 34
2025 7 447 224
2025 8 564 500
2025 9 921 856

Return to Top