Parker Posey

[LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE]

Parker Christian Posey (born November 8, 1968) is an American actress. She became known during the 1990s after a series of roles in several well-received independent films. As a result, she has often been referred to as the "Queen of the Indies".^[1]Early lifePosey was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of Lynda, a chef, and Chris Posey, who owned a Chevrolet dealership. She has a twin brother, Christopher. Posey's first name was a tribute by her father to 1950's supermodel Suzy Parker. After Posey's birth, the family moved to Laurel, Mississippi where her mother worked as a chef and culinary instructor for the Viking Range Corporation in Greenwood, and her father operated a car dealership, Posey Chevrolet, in Laurel. The family also lived in Monroe, Louisiana. Posey was raised Catholic.^[2]

Film career

Posey attended the State University of New York at Purchase, where she roomed with actresses Sherry Stringfield and Orlagh Cassidy. Fellow entertainment professionals in her SUNY Purchase acting company (Class of 1991) included actor Reno Wilson and producers Todd Baker and Vincent Rutherford, Jr..

Posey made her first break in television when she won the role of Tess Shelby on the daytime soap opera As the World Turns. Stringfield, Posey's roommate, was also cast on the daytime drama Guiding Light at about the same time. Posey's first major role in a feature film was in Dazed and Confused (1993), a cult classic featuring the likes of Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey, and Jason London.

Throughout the late 1990s, Posey starred in a large number of independent films and was named "Queen of the Indies" by Time magazine,^[1] which cited thirty-two independent films to her credit, including Personal Velocity, Clockwatchers, Party Girl, and The House of Yes, for which she received especially positive reviews for her portrayal of a delusional woman in love with her own brother. She is part of the acting ensemble that often appears in director Christopher Guest's films, including four of his mock documentaries: (Waiting for Guffman in 1996, Best in Show in 2000, A Mighty Wind in 2003, and For Your Consideration in 2006). Posey is also a favorite of director Hal Hartley. She appeared in Henry Fool (1998), two of his shorts, Opera No. 1 (1994; with Adrienne Shelley, another Hartley regular), Sisters of Mercy (2004), and his most recent film, Fay Grim (2006). Posey also had a notable role as the best friend of Adam in the 2005 film Adam and Steve.

Though well known for her work in independent cinema, Posey has also had supporting roles in several big budget studio films, including Scream 3 (2000), You've Got Mail (1998), Josie and the Pussycats (2001), Laws of Attraction (2004), and Blade: Trinity (2004). She also had a supporting role in Superman Returns, playing Kitty Kowalski, Lex Luthor's ditzy sidekick.

Posey is also set for a role in an upcoming John Waters film Fruitcake along with Johnny Knoxville. The film will likely be set in her birth town of Baltimore.^[3] However, John Waters has recently announced that he has cancelled Fruitcake, saying "I can't get it made...I thought it would do well, but it's not. In this economy, I'm going to have to do a puppet show."^[4]

Posey was considered for the roles of Rachel Green in Friends (which went to Jennifer Aniston), of Kimmy in My Best Friend's Wedding (which went to Cameron Diaz), and of Althea in The People vs. Larry Flynt (which went to Courtney Love).

Television work

Although Posey primarily works in film, she has appeared in several television projects.

• Posey appeared in the television miniseries adaptations of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City novels; her character, Connie, was featured in the original 1993 series and the 1998 miniseries "sequel" covering the second book.
  
• In 2000, she provided the voice of Umbriel the mermaid in the Futurama episode "The Deep South."
  
• Also in 2000, Posey provided the voice of Becky in an episode of The Simpsons titled "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Marge."
  
• She has also had a recurring role on the television series Will & Grace, as Dorleen, Jack's high-maintenance boss at Barneys New York.
  
• Posey appeared on the Season One finale of Project Runway in 2005. She was a spectator at New York Fashion Week and was a judge alongside Nina Garcia, Michael Kors, and Heidi Klum.
  
• In 2006, Posey guest-starred as the ambitious, back-stabbing lawyer Marlene "The Squid" Stanger on Boston Legal.
  
• In March 2008, Posey headlined the quickly-cancelled Fox series The Return of Jezebel James.
  
• In October 2009, Posey guest-starred as Jason Schwartzman's love interest in the HBO series Bored to Death.
  

Other work

Posey made her stage debut in 2001, and has worked regularly on the stage since. She also dabbles in music, and can play the mandolin. She learned to play as preparation for her role in A Mighty Wind (2003), a film in which she also sang. She used her vocal talents on several records of her ex-boyfriend, Ryan Adams, whom she dated until early 2005 when she renewed her on-again-off-again relation ship with Sean M. Egan, Founder of the Chicago-based art conglomerate, Arden-Hanna. She also played the mandolin on The Dandy Warhols track "I Am Sound" from their Welcome to the Monkey House LP.

She is also the subject of several songs:

• Stuart Davis on his 2006 album ¿What.
  
• L.A. based rappers Trilambs recorded a song titled "Parker Posey" in 2001.
  
• Musical project Forms of Things Unknown recorded an experimental music instrumental called "From Here to Parker Posey".
  
• Ryan Adams' "Hey Parker, It's Christmas," off of Christmas 7"
  
• Polish indie-rock band The Car Is On Fire recorded a song entitled "Parker Posey" on their 2006 album Lake And Flames.
  

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes1993Dazed and ConfusedDarla MarksJoey BreakerIrene KildareThe WakeBeachgoeruncreditedDescription of a StruggleWandaConeheadsStephanie1994Mixed NutsRollerbladerAmateurGirl SquatterOpera No. 1Fairy # 1Short filmIrisShort filmDead ConnectionDeniseSleep With MeAthena1995Party GirlMaryAn Eviction NoticeShort filmDrunksDebbieFlirtEmilyThe Doom GenerationBrandi1996FriskFergieKicking and ScreamingMiamisubUrbiaEricaBasquiatMary1997The House of Yes"Jackie-O" PascalSundance Film Festival Award for Special Recognition

Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or ComedyThe DaytrippersJo MaloneWaiting for GuffmanLibby Mae BrownClockwatchersMargaret Burre1998Henry FoolFay GrimWhat Rats Won't DoMirella BurtonYou've Got MailPatricia EdenThe Misadventures of MargaretMargaret Nathan1999Dinner at Fred'sCeliaThe Venice ProjectMyraGushyShort film2000Best in ShowMeg SwanScream 3Jennifer JolieNominated — MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance2001The Anniversary PartyJudy AdamsJosie and the PussycatsFiona2002The Sweetest ThingJudy WebbPersonal VelocityGretaNominated — Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Female2003A Mighty WindSissy KnoxFlorida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Cast

Nominated — Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best CastThe EventNick2004Blade: TrinityDanica TalosThe Sisters of MercyShort filmLaws of AttractionSerena2005Adam & SteveRhonda2006For Your ConsiderationCallie WebbNominated — Gotham Award for Best Ensemble CastFay GrimFay GrimNominated — Chlotrudis Award for Best ActressThe OH in OhioPriscillaSuperman ReturnsKitty KowalskiNominated — Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress2007Broken EnglishNora WilderNominated — Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Female2008The EyeHelen Wells2009Spring BreakdownBeckyStraight to DVD2010Happy TearsJayne

Television series

YearFilmRoleNotes1991First Love , Fatal Love1991-92As the World TurnsTess Shelbyunknown episodes1993Tales of the CityConnie BradshawTracey Ullman Takes On New YorkLibby1998More Tales of the CityConnie Bradshaw2000FuturamaUmbrielEpisode: "The Deep South"The SimpsonsBeckyEpisode: "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Marge"2001More Tales of the CityConnie BradshawWill & GraceDorleenEpisode: "Loose Lips Sink Relationships"

Episode: "Jingle Balls"2002Hell on Heels: The Battle of Mary KayJinger HeathNominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film2004FrankensteinDetective Carson O'Conner2006Boston LegalMarlene StrangerEpisode: "Squid Pro Quo"

Episode: "Spring Fever"

Episode: "BL: Los Angeles"

Episode: "Can't We All Get a Lung?"2008The Return of Jezebel JamesSarah Tompkins2009Bored to DeathMichelle WhitingEpisode: "The Case of the Stolen Skateboard"

[LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE]

[LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE]

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Rachel Comey Fashion Show & after party, NYC, Sept 4 '13

 

 

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2015 Tribeca Ball, NYC, Apr 13 '15

 

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''Irrational Man'' premiere, NYC, Jul 15 '15

 

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Parker Posey spotted wearing pink dress while walking her dog in the Midtown neighborhood of New York - July 28

 

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NYC, Sept 9 '15

 

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Coach and Friends of the High Line Celebrate Annual Summer Party on the High Line, NYC, Jun 22 '16

 

 

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"Cafe Society" Screening, NYC, Jul 13 '16

 

 

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NYC, Oct 12 '16

 

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"Julieta" screening, NYC, Nov 30 '16

 

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NYC, Dec 27 '16

 

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NYC, Nov 22 '17

 

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First Annual Paw Prints Paw-liday Screening, NYC, Dec 19 '17