Octavia Lenora Spencer (born May 25, 1970) is an American actress, author, and producer. She is the recipient of several accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. She is one of two black actresses to have received three Academy Award nominations, the first black actress to receive two consecutive Academy Award nominations in back-to-back years, and the first black actress to receive an Academy Award nomination after previously winning.
Academy Awards
Best Supporting Actress
Known For
Gifted
(2017)
Roberta Taylor
Allegiant
(2016)
Johanna Reyes
Hidden Figures
(2016)
Dorothy Vaughan
Zootopia
(2016)
Mrs. Otterton (voice)
The Help
(2011)
Minny Jackson
The Shack
(2017)
Papa / Elouisa
Spider-Man
(2002)
Check-In Girl
The Shape of Water
(2017)
Zelda Fuller
Insurgent
(2015)
Johanna Reyes
Coach Carter
(2005)
Mrs. Battle
Snowpiercer
(2013)
Tanya
Roald Dahl's The Witches
(2020)
Grandma
Dolittle
(2020)
Dab-Dab (voice)
Onward
(2020)
The Manticore (voice)
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde
(2003)
Security Guard
A Time to Kill
(1996)
Roark's Nurse
Full Filmography
Acting
Valley Girls
(1996)
Cheerleader
A Time to Kill
(1996)
Roark's Nurse
The Sixth Man
(1997)
Nativity Watson
Sparkler
(1997)
Wanda
Blue Streak
(1999)
Shawna
Being John Malkovich
(1999)
Woman in Elevator
Lansky
(1999)
Evelyn
Never Been Kissed
(1999)
Cynthia
Four Dogs Playing Poker
(2000)
Waitress
What Planet Are You From?
(2000)
Baby Nurse
American Virgin
(2000)
Agnes Large
Big Momma's House
(2000)
Twila
The Journeyman
(2001)
Black Belly
The Sky is Falling
(2001)
Nurse #2
Follow the Stars Home
(2001)
Hildy
Missing Pieces
(2001)
Elegant Guest (as Octavia L. Spencer)
Everything Put Together
(2001)
Nurse B
Spider-Man
(2002)
Check-In Girl
Little John
(2002)
Waitress
Sol Goode
(2003)
Unemployment Clerk
Bad Santa
(2003)
Opal
Chicken Party
(2003)
Laqueta Mills
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde
(2003)
Security Guard
S.W.A.T.
(2003)
Neighbor in Alley
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!
(2004)
Janine
Breakin' All the Rules
(2004)
Stylist
Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School
(2005)
Ayisha Lebaron
Pretty Persuasion
(2005)
Woman
Coach Carter
(2005)
Mrs. Battle
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
(2005)
Middle-Aged Woman
Beauty Shop
(2005)
Big Customer
Pulse
(2006)
Landlady
The Nines
(2007)
Streetwalker
The Spleenectomy
(2008)
Nurse
Pretty Ugly People
(2008)
Mary
Seven Pounds
(2008)
Kate the Home Health Care Nurse
Wizards of Waverly Place: Wizard School
(2008)
Dr. Evilini
Love at First Hiccup
(2009)
Mrs. Hambrick
Herpes Boy
(2009)
Rochelle
The Soloist
(2009)
Troubled Woman
Drag Me to Hell
(2009)
Bank Co-Worker
Halloween II
(2009)
Nurse Daniels
Small Town Saturday Night
(2010)
Rhonda Dooley
Peep World
(2010)
Alison
Dinner for Schmucks
(2010)
Madame Nora
Love and Distrust
(2010)
Rhonda (segment "Auto Motives")
Flypaper
(2011)
Madge Wiggins
The Help
(2011)
Minny Jackson
Just Peck
(2011)
Detention Teacher
Blues for Willadean
(2012)
LeSonia Robinson
Smashed
(2012)
Jenny
Letters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy
(2013)
Narrator (voice)
Snowpiercer
(2013)
Tanya
Jesus People
(2013)
Angel Angelique
Fruitvale Station
(2013)
Wanda
Paradise
(2013)
Loray
Call Me Crazy: A Five Film
(2013)
Dr. Nance
Lost on Purpose
(2013)
Nurse Keller
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
(2013)
Martha (voice)
Black or White
(2014)
Rowena Jeffers
Get on Up
(2014)
Aunt Honey
Insurgent
(2015)
Johanna Reyes
The Great Gilly Hopkins
(2015)
Miss Harris
Fathers and Daughters
(2015)
Dr. Corman
Bad Santa 2
(2016)
Opal
Hidden Figures
(2016)
Dorothy Vaughan
Allegiant
(2016)
Johanna Reyes
The Free World
(2016)
Linda Workman
Zootopia
(2016)
Mrs. Otterton (voice)
The Shack
(2017)
Papa / Elouisa
Gifted
(2017)
Roberta Taylor
The Shape of Water
(2017)
Zelda Fuller
Car Dogs
(2017)
Mrs. Barrett
Small Town Crime
(2018)
Kelly Banks
Instant Family
(2018)
Karen
A Kid Like Jake
(2018)
Judy
Ma
(2019)
Sue Ann
Luce
(2019)
Harriet Wilson
Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé
(2019)
Self
Dolittle
(2020)
Dab-Dab (voice)
Roald Dahl's The Witches
(2020)
Grandma
Superintelligence
(2020)
Voice of Octavia Spencer (voice)
Onward
(2020)
The Manticore (voice)
Thunder Force
(2021)
Emily Stanton
Encounter
(2021)
Hattie Hayes
Spirited
(2022)
Kimberly
The Quest for Sleep
(2022)
Narrator
Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter
(2022)
Self
Becoming bell hooks
(2024)
The Smurfs Musical
(2025)
(voice)
Production