Born on this day, May 25, 1972, Octavia Lenora Spencer. Spencer is an American actress and author. She is the recipient of several accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Golden Globe Award.

Spencer was born in Montgomery, Alabama to Dellsena Spencer, her father died when she was thirteen. After high school, Spencer attended and graduated from Auburn University.

Spencer has appeared in numerous roles in film and television. Her debut film was in 1996, A Time to Kill. Her big break came in 2011, when she played a maid in the movie, The Help. Since then, she has appeared in films, Get on Up, Gifted, Hidden Figures, and numerous others. Spencer is also the author of a children’s book series titled Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective.

sources:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20170821/news/170829969/actress-octavia-spencer-will-be-keynote-speaker-tri-c-foundations