Dianne Wiest

I first saw Dianne Wiest in Hannah and Her Sisters and that first time I didn’t properly empathize. I more identified with Hannah, the organized oldest daughter who likes to hold people together. I even identified somewhat with Lee, with her unnameable longings and errant emotions. But I knew I admired the acting, Wiest’s ability to make a potentially unlikeable character very interesting and heart-breaking. You can’t help but root for her throughout. There is also of course her delicious turn as a stage queen in Bullets Over Broadway, and her hilarious politician’s wife in The Birdcage. A rare beautiful funny intelligent bird with a memorable voice.