In Hollywood, most actors and actresses will go an entire career without nabbing a break-out role. For Sprague Grayden, lightning hasn’t just struck once, it’s struck twice.
Her role as Anita on HBO’s “Six Feet Under” put her name in the Hollywood hot bin. That exposure led directly to her being cast as Terry Ryder on FX’s Iraq war drama “Over There.”
“[‘Six Feet Under’] pretty much changed my life,” Grayden said. “To my knowledge, I was originally brought in for just one episode,” but the gig lasted through the entire fourth season of the show.
Grayden’s waiting to hear if she’ll be as lucky with “Over There,” which airs its finale at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
FX has not yet announced if it will grant the low-rated series a second season. In a dire sign, producer Steven Bochco has moved on to replace Rod Lurie as executive producer of ABC’s “Commander in Chief.”
On “Over There,” Grayden’s fictional husband, Bo, returns home after losing a leg in battle in Iraq. Throughout the season, the family must deal with the ramifications of the injury.
“[Bo] wants to go back to war, and I don’t want him to go,” Grayden said.
Grayden said she feels “a lot of responsibility” doing a show about a current, real war.
“We’re not only telling a story that’s ongoing, it’s also one most of the public doesn’t even know about,” said Grayden, referring to the more personal stories of the soldiers and their loved ones that the series tells.
She consults with a real military wife for accuracy in her portrayal. “I was lucky enough to meet an army wife who was willing to open up her experiences to me,” Grayden said.
On one occasion, Grayden visited the woman to ask if Grayden’s character would wear heels in a certain scene. “She’s outside her house, watering the plants, a baby in one arm, the other on her back,” Grayden said, “and she’s wearing heels.”
Unlike Grayden’s “Six Feet Under” character Anita, Terry is very responsible and strong.
“Anita was wild, crazy, fun and followed every single desire she ever had, all in an attempt to hide that she was just mediocre,” Grayden said. But Terry is “completely grounded,” she said.
“She understands that her husband is head of the household, but she also understands that they’re partners,” Grayden said.
Grayden has been headed toward a successful acting career since childhood. When she was 5 years old and living in Manchester, Mass., Grayden was spotted by a casting associate who thought she’d be good in commercials.
She was quickly booked for ad campaigns and landed a small TV part opposite Jack Lemmon.
Grayden didn’t act professionally again until after college, when she moved to Manhattan to pursue an acting career. Her first big break came when she nabbed a part on the short-lived 2002 Fox series “John Doe.” Her acting friends marveled at her success.
“In New York, if you can pay your rent from acting, you’re considered a rock star,” Grayden said, “and if you have health insurance, too, then you’re a movie star.”
Quickies
Some quick comments from Sprague Grayden:
Biggest childhood celebrity crush: Michael Jackson
Actress you admire: Jodie Foster
Vince Vaughn or Owen Wilson? Vince Vaughn
Best advice from mom: “That every time in your life should be the best time in your life.”
Worst advice from mom: “Wear coral pink lipstick.”
Career goals: “To be respected by my peers and to keep challenging myself.”–D.A.F.
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Edited by Curt Wagner (cwwagner@tribune.com) and Kris Karnopp (kkarnopp@tribune.com)
