Sarah Paulson shared an anecdote on Monday about a past encounter with actress Trish Hawkins during her appearance on the "Smartless" podcast hosted by Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes. The incident occurred over a decade ago when Paulson was performing in the play "Talley's Folly" at the Roundabout Theatre in Manhattan in 2013.
Paulson, known for her roles in "American Horror Story" and "American Crime Story," detailed how Hawkins, who originally played the character Sally Talley in the 1979 Off-Broadway production and subsequent Broadway transfer, offered unsolicited feedback on her performance. Hawkins attended the play at the invitation of Paulson's mother, Catharine, who knew Hawkins through a writing group.
Paulson recounted that shortly after they met, Hawkins critiqued her costume by comparing it to her own from years before. Hawkins then sent Paulson six pages of detailed notes via email, suggesting how Paulson should approach the role based on her own experiences.
Paulson expressed her lasting irritation with the unsolicited advice and hopes to avoid further encounters with Hawkins. Despite the incident, Paulson continued her prolific acting career in both theater and television, earning critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including an Emmy Award.
Trish Hawkins, a Hartford, Connecticut native, had a career spanning several decades with roles on TV shows such as "The Equalizer," "Kojak," and "The Mound Builders." She also appeared in numerous stage productions, including "Fifth of July" and "All My Sons."
Paulson’s story highlights a professional interaction between two actresses from different generations, providing insight into competing interpretations within the theater world.