Mary Baker Eddy
Mary Baker Eddy is a spiritual genius. Fearless, stunning, tenacious, she has achieved fame and fortune as a best-selling author and sought-after healer. Her most outspoken critic and admirer is the sharp-tongued and irreverent Mark Twain who calls her “garrulous, ungrammatical and naively and everlastingly self-contradictory” but concedes that she is “the most daring and masterful woman that ever lived, and the most extraordinary.”
- Leave a comment to suggest an actor for this role
Joan Allen or Cate Blanchett. They both have a lot of range, looks (a good wig may do the trick!), and emotional depth which would be really important for this part. They’ve also both done period pieces.
Hi Val:
Take a look at Libby Skala’s work – she’s given a one woman performance of LiLia at the MBE Library – it’s about her relationship with her grandmother, Lilia Skala and Oscar nominated actress who worked a lot with Merchant and Ivory. I would like her to play Joyce Milgaard. I hope you and Joyce connect at the Annual Meeting.
Warm regards,
Karen Aasand
President
http://www.PathsApartProductions.com
I recently saw a movie starring Meryl Streep and could see her with the kind of focus and strong personality, together with compassion, that comes through in pictures of MBE.
Meryl Streep has the intelligence, range and spirituality to do this part AND – she does her homework. You will not be sorry if you can get her to take this role.
I agree with the person above about Meryl Streep. She’s the only one I thought of!
So surprised and pleased to learn that you are a Christian Scientist. I’m just becoming a member, after studying with my grandmother for years.
I agree, Meryl Streep would be great!
Mary Steenburgen would be great at MBE.
Hands down Meryl Streep… she’s the only person I thought about for this role.
The first person I thought of was me but I have no formal acting experience. But someone we all know, hmmmm, Meryl Streep is good. She’s a awesome actor. For some reason I thought of the flying nun, Sally Fields. This could be a role she could land.
How about Helen Mirren? I think she would be awesome!
Mia Farrow has the eyes
I think Meryl Streep would be good and a big draw. I just watched “One Night with the King” and thought that the actress that played Esther would be good also. Don’t know her name.
Mreyl Streep or Julia Roberts. I think their fame would bring people to have interest in the movie!
I think Georgia Engel might make a good Mary Baker Eddy. I don’t know what she is doing since a few times in Everybody Loves Raymond, but she has an inner beauty that Mrs. Eddy would have really admired. Just a suggestion.
The first actor I thought of to portray Mary Baker Eddy was Mary Steenburgen.
Meryl Streep, will do a great job as Mary Baker Eddy.
Congrats Val on this work!
Really can’t see Meryl Streep in the role – for me she has the wrong-shaped face. This is a possibly too imaginative left-of-field suggestion – but Tina Fey would be ideal for a younger Mrs Eddy in any flashback sequences. She has that look of intelligent good-humored poise, and it would be ironic to have another humorist in the movie apart from Mark Twain!
Postscript to my earlier comment: both Tina Fey and Mrs Eddy have a “smile behind their eyes” – like they know something secret
I first thought of Maggie Smith, but I also agree that Georgia Engel could be an interesting choice as well.
Mreyl Streep is the one I instantly thought of.
You know I would recommend Honor Hill, CS Practitioner from Dallas, Texas. I think the key thing in this role is finding someone who has that presence of Mrs. Eddy that is talked about in all the Biographies and articles written about her. Someone who is not pretentious and has that sweet, unassuming, healing presence. I must admit that when I thought of famous actors I thought of Cate Blanchette and Meryl Streep – and I was surprized by how many agree above. However, do you need someone so famous? I think you could find a great student of Mrs. Eddy’s and find someone closer to the heart of who Mrs. Eddy was. Could this be acted out? I suppose but wouldn’t it be healing to have someone who REALLY lives it? Just a thought. Honor will laugh when she finds out I nominated her. I just think she’s someone who really gets Mrs. Eddy – for a number of reasons and on the highest level. Cheers, Susan
Hi Val – I think Susan Sarandon would be amazing – think of the roles she’s done and also what she stands for as a humanitarian. Thanks for reaching out for ideas!
Again I would recommend Mary Steenburger. She has the build, the look, and the talent. Also think of Cate Blanchett.
Also would suggest “mining” small theater groups, say in Nevada City. Some excellent talent, and quite available. Check into Hallmark movies for other actresses. P.S. Why do you ask for a website? Most of us do not have one.
Cate Blanchett. She is a brilliant actress and has a quiet intensity and depth that can bring to light Mary Baker Eddies personality
I vote for Cate Blanchett. She is an excellent actress.
Joan Allen or Meryl Streep – or a complete unknown
Meryl Streep, hands down. She has the intelligence, depth of passion and the innate spirituality. She is extremely professional about her work and cares deeply about the roles of woman in society. What a God given gift to Meryl to be asked to play Mary Baker Eddy.
When I had first heard of this film I had right away thought of Cate Blanchett, but then again Emma Thompson would be an excellent choice as well. Both women have a similar spiritual energy of wisdom behind their eyes.
Sally Field – brings to mind the intensity of Sybil, the conviction of Norma Rae and the strength portrayed in Steel Magnolias.
Meryl Streep if she in not to expensive and available. She can play any role that you would give her.
I think Melissa Gilbert would do a good portrayal of Mary Baker Eddy. She was very good in the stage presentation of Little House on the Prairie and she has successfully overcome certain issues /additions / temptations in her life and has gained a higher sense of good. Her interview on CBC’s The Hour was very forthcoming.
When I see my favourite photo of Mrs Eddy (here slide 9) I think of Kristin Scott Thomas. The depth in the eyes, beauty, humanity, spirituality, quiet strength.
Maggie Gyllenhaal has those big, expressive eyes like MBE. She gets my vote.
Bonnie Johnson. She has the look, and the faith to act this role.
I feel either Cate Blanchett or Meryl Streep would be great for this part..but one actress who I watched in the Song Catcher who also might be considered is Janet McTeer but overall Meryl Streep I feel would do Mary Baker Eddy the justice, dignity and respect she deserves.
As a PS to my original post, another thought is Maria Friedman,(sister of Sonia,the producer) mainly thought of as Musical theatre actress but a really compelling actress in whatever she does. She is a UK actress but also known in USA for her starring role in The Woman in White and for her one woman shows.
Clare Danes has such reach when it comes to characters. She transcends her own characteristics and easily takes on those of her character. Have you seen her play Temple Grandin, a woman with high functioning autism, called Aspergers. She did an amazing job with that project. I would agree with the Cate Blanchard pick as well.
Mary Antonio Mastroani
Mary Steenburgen would look great at MBE. She has the build and the talent; however, her demeanor may be a bit too soft. I think Cate Blanchett might be stronger choice if you can make the eyes right with makeup and lenses.
I see an unknown actress in this role not one who is famous. However, I like the suggestions of Helen Mirren and Maggie Smith.
I have to definitely throw my support to Meryl Streep.
From a nun to MBE. Very interesting
Desiree Goyette. http://www.lightchild.com – she wrote several hymns in the new hymnal supplement, and is a terrific actress, singer and songwriter. She’s portrayed MBE before onstage…
Mary Steenburgen looks the part, but Meryl Streep has the intelligence and humor to pull it off. Someone as powerful as MBE and a woman who broke with all convention of her time could only be protrayed by someone as good as Meryl Streep. Streep is not taking her self seriously, but able to bring authenticity to a role that no other woman has achieved.
If we’re going for big names, why not Sandra Bullock. One of her gifts is to make you love every character she plays. Many are rooting for Meryl Streep, and like, Bullock she’s American. I think that’s key, MBE being an American heroine. And I think that fact will be an important part of the story, yes? One other thought, the Meryl Streep that played Sophie, and the devil wearing Prada can be out of the stratosphere perfect, but she can also over do it as in Doubt. Whoever is cast, the directing will also be key. Gee this is fun! Thanks for inviting comments, Mr. Kilmer.
Predictable – Myrle Streep – Good but not genious.
Unexpected – Julia Roberts – She expresses love so well. The Spiritual love. The mother love. Julia would make it a true love story that people would get. Coupled with your genius as Mark Twain. How delightful, inspired and insightful. Val, thanks for your years of work you have done and are doing to put this film together. Love, Joycebelle
Meryl steep, Cate Blanchett, or Nicole Kidman
My first thought has always turned to Jane Alexander as a choice to play Mary Baker Eddy. She has the strength, gentleness, intelligence and depth to play the role. In some way she resembles Mrs. Eddy. My other choice is Helen Mirren. She too has the necessary qualities of strength and intelligence, etc. She too has features that suggest Mrs. Eddy. They both have a gravitas and substance without being heavy about it. Above all, I feel they both have a deep sense of spirituality that the part requires.
why not an unknown actress? why dont you do a actress search like they did with gone with the wind?
Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep or Angelina Jolie (she seems to research her parts extensively and has global humanitarian interests.)