'People vs OJ Simpson' News: Did Jessica Lange Change Sarah Paulson's Life?
Sarah Paulson's stellar career rise can partly be attributed to Jessica Lange!
Paulson, who starred alongside Lange in four seasons of American Horror Story, has her former co-star to thank for getting the offer to do the series.
Lange and Paulson had previously starred in The Glass Menagerie on Broadway in 2005, and the actresses went to Los Angeles for the Project Angel Food event just as Lange was getting ready to star in the first season of AHS.
"She had just gotten into town to start doing season 1 of American Horror Story, and L.A. is not really her town," Paulson said in a new interview with People. "She didn't know a ton of people so we were spending a lot of time together."
Paulson recalled series creator Ryan Murphy being at the party and spoke about Lange's big gesture:
"At one point, Jessica just threw her arm around me and said to Ryan, 'Oh, can't you find something for Sarah to do on the show? She's going to be in town now.' And he said, 'Oh. Yeah. I think I could do that,' " Paulson said.
The actress would then be cast as psychic Billie Dean Howard in season 1 of American Horror Story, and ultimately became a series regular from season 2 onward. Paulson had a starring role as Lana Winters in Asylum, followed by major roles in Coven and Freak Show and a supporting role in Hotel this past year.
Paulson is now starring in another Murphy joint, American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson where she has received much critical praise for playing prosecutor Marcia Clark.
"There's been a switch recently," Paulson said, of her newfound success in the industry. "I've spent my whole career working toward this. Now my life has completely changed."
American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX. American Horror Story season 6 will air this fall on FX.
