---
name: "Sarah Paulson"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/sarah-paulson"
fi1m_id: "sarah-paulson"
imdb_id: "nm0005299"
tmdb_id: 34490
wikidata_id: "Q257442"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "17 December 1974"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 13
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 13
updated: "2026-10-16T04:04:15.178757+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Sarah Paulson

## Identity

Sarah Paulson

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sarah-paulson
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** sarah-paulson
- **IMDb ID:** nm0005299
- **TMDB ID:** 34490
- **Wikidata ID:** Q257442
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Paulson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q257442, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005299/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/34490

Actor and director. Born 17 December 1974 in Tampa, Florida, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 17 December 1974, Tampa, Florida, USA
- **Active:** 2000–present
- **Also known as:** Sarah Catharine Paulson
- **Frequently works with:** [Cate Blanchett](https://film.one/person/cate-blanchett.md), [Adam Penn](https://film.one/person/adam-penn.md), [Alexis Martin Woodall](https://film.one/person/alexis-martin-woodall.md), [Anthony Hemingway](https://film.one/person/anthony-hemingway.md), [Gwyneth Horder-Payton](https://film.one/person/gwyneth-horder-payton.md), [Halley Feiffer](https://film.one/person/halley-feiffer.md), [Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre](https://film.one/person/laure-de-clermont-tonnerre.md), [Lou Eyrich](https://film.one/person/lou-eyrich.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 13 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 70 (2), 2010s 76 (8), 2020s 69 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 72 across 13 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 11 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 10, Comedy 3, Crime 3, Thriller 3, Action 2, History 2
- **Screen time:** 18 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,154m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Paulson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q257442, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005299/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/34490

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Carol*](https://film.one/film/carol.md) (88), [*Mud*](https://film.one/film/mud.md) (78)
- **Disney+:** [*Mrs. America*](https://film.one/tv/mrs-america.md) (79), [*American Crime Story*](https://film.one/tv/american-crime-story.md) (78)
- **Netflix:** [*Bird Box*](https://film.one/film/bird-box.md) (53), [*Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story*](https://film.one/tv/monster-the-lizzie-borden-story.md) (47)
- **Hulu:** [*The Post*](https://film.one/film/the-post.md) (74)
- **Apple TV:** [*What Women Want*](https://film.one/film/what-women-want.md) (64)
- **HBO Max:** [*Ocean's Eight*](https://film.one/film/oceans-eight.md) (60)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Sarah Paulson

> Sarah Paulson makes difficult women convincing without asking us to like them. Television has given her the bigger parts, but we value her most for the restraint that makes her cruelty in *12 Years a Slave* so disturbing.

As Mary Epps in *12 Years a Slave* (2013), Sarah Paulson makes cruelty look like something a person can choose without much trouble. Michael Fassbender’s Edwin Epps is volatile; she needs less outward exertion to be effective beside him. We were horrified by how little Mary seems troubled by her own cruelty. Steve McQueen makes the suffering personal, and Paulson never softens the behaviour of one of the people responsible.

Television has given her more substantial opportunities. After the series and supporting film work of the 1990s, *American Horror Story* (2011) brought wider attention and a continuing collaboration with Ryan Murphy, playing different characters across its seasons. *The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story* (2016) gave her the leading role of Marcia Clark. The limited opportunities to lead films, despite her television acclaim, seem wasteful when a supporting performance such as Mary Epps can register so strongly.

In *Carol* (2015), she plays Abby Gerhard, a supporting part in Todd Haynes’s romance led by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Haynes trusts small gestures to carry feeling, though the careful manners sometimes keep us at a distance. Our enthusiasm for the film rests chiefly on its leads, and there is no need to claim it for Paulson. It is nevertheless a useful film to consider alongside *12 Years a Slave*: her supporting film work deserves attention even as television gives her more prominent roles.

Paulson has described Murphy’s demands as operatic and credited him with encouraging her to attempt things she had not known she could do. That helps explain the attraction of their long partnership, particularly for an actor frequently cast as intense or unlikeable women. We would still be wary of treating each conspicuous change of character as proof of a better performance. In McQueen’s film, Mary’s cruelty needs no additional display of temper to make it frightening. Start there, provided you are prepared for the violence, and notice how little Paulson has to insist.

## Biography

Sarah Paulson is an American actress. Born on 17 December 1974 in Tampa, Florida, she trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and began her career in New York stage productions.

She appeared in the television series American Gothic (1995–1996) and Jack & Jill (1999–2001), and later starred as Harriet Hayes in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006–2007). Paulson is known for her recurring roles in American Horror Story (2011–), and for her performances in the films 12 Years a Slave (2013) as Mary Epps, Carol (2015), The Post (2017) and Ocean's Eight (2018). In 2026 she portrayed Aileen Wuornos in the series Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.

*Sources: imdb.com, ew.com.*

## On Fi1m (13)

- *Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story* (2026), Fi1m 47, as Aileen Wuornos — [page](https://film.one/tv/monster-the-lizzie-borden-story.md)
- *The Bear* (2022), Fi1m 82, as Cousin Michelle — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-bear-2022.md)
- *Mrs. America* (2020), Fi1m 79, as Alice — [page](https://film.one/tv/mrs-america.md)
- *Bird Box* (2018), Fi1m 53, as Jessica — [page](https://film.one/film/bird-box.md)
- *Ocean's Eight* (2018), Fi1m 60, as Tammy — [page](https://film.one/film/oceans-eight.md)
- *The Post* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Tony Bradlee — [page](https://film.one/film/the-post.md)
- *American Crime Story* (2016), Fi1m 78, as Marcia Clark — [page](https://film.one/tv/american-crime-story.md)
- *Carol* (2015), Fi1m 88, as Abby Gerhard — [page](https://film.one/film/carol.md)
- *12 Years a Slave* (2013), Fi1m 91, as Mary Epps — [page](https://film.one/film/12-years-a-slave.md)
- *Mud* (2013), Fi1m 78, as Mary Lee — [page](https://film.one/film/mud.md)
- *Martha Marcy May Marlene* (2011), Fi1m 84, as Lucy — [page](https://film.one/film/martha-marcy-may-marlene.md)
- *Serenity* (2005), Fi1m 77, as Dr. Caron — [page](https://film.one/film/serenity.md)
- *What Women Want* (2000), Fi1m 64, as Annie — [page](https://film.one/film/what-women-want.md)

## Complete filmography (76)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story* (2026), series, as Aileen Wuornos — Fi1m 47, [page](https://film.one/tv/monster-the-lizzie-borden-story.md)
- *Closing Night* (2026), as Sandra Vale
- *Baby Doe* (2026), Executive Producer
- *All's Fair* (2025), series, as Carrington Lane · Executive Producer
- *Escape Room* (2025), Actor
- *Hold Your Breath* (2024), as Margaret Bellum · Executive Producer
- *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (2024), series, as Therapist — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/mr-and-mrs-smith.md)
- *The Bear* (2022), series, as Cousin Michelle — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-bear-2022.md)
- *Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration* (2022), Actor
- *The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin* (2021), series, Executive Producer
- *Run* (2020), as Mother / Diane
- *Ratched* (2020), series, as Mildred Ratched · Executive Producer
- *Coastal Elites* (2020), as Clarissa Montgomery
- *Mrs. America* (2020), series, as Alice — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/mrs-america.md)
- *Abominable* (2019), as Dr. Zara (voice)
- *The Goldfinch* (2019), as Xandra
- *Glass* (2019), as Dr. Ellie Staple
- *Bird Box* (2018), as Jessica — Fi1m 53, [page](https://film.one/film/bird-box.md)
- *Ocean's Eight* (2018), as Tammy — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/oceans-eight.md)
- *The Post* (2017), as Tony Bradlee — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-post.md)
- *Rebel in the Rye* (2017), as Dorothy Olding
- *FEUD* (2017), series, as Geraldine Page
- *Blue Jay* (2016), as Amanda
- *American Crime Story* (2016), series, as Marcia Clark, Linda Tripp · Executive Producer — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/american-crime-story.md)
- *Carol* (2015), as Abby Gerhard — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/carol.md)
- *The Runner* (2015), as Kate Haber
- *#twitterkills* (2014), as Sarah Pendersen
- *12 Years a Slave* (2013), as Mary Epps — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/12-years-a-slave.md)
- *Mud* (2013), as Mary Lee — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/mud.md)
- *Fairhaven* (2013), as Kate
- *Stars in Shorts* (2012), as Woman
- *The Time Being* (2012), as Sarah
- *Blue* (2012), series, as Lavinia
- *Game Change* (2012), as Nicolle Wallace
- *New Year's Eve* (2011), as Grace Schwab
- *Martha Marcy May Marlene* (2011), as Lucy — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/martha-marcy-may-marlene.md)
- *American Horror Story* (2011), series, as Lana Winters, Cordelia Goode / Wilhemina Venable / Billie Dean Howard, Billie Dean Howard, Bette Tattler / Dot Tattler, Sally McKenna / Billie Dean Howard, Audrey Tindall / Lana Winters, Ally Mayfair-Richards / Susan Atkins, Tuberculosis Karen / Mamie Eisenhower, Cordelia Goode / Sally McKenna / Ms.
- *After-School Special* (2011), as Woman
- *November Christmas* (2011), as Beth Marks
- *Whose Dog Is It Anyway?* (2009), as Emma
- *Cupid* (2009), series, as Dr. Claire McCrae
- *The Spirit* (2008), as Ellen Dolan
- *Diggers* (2007), as Julie
- *A Christmas Wedding* (2006), as Emily
- *Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip* (2006), series, as Harriet Hayes
- *Griffin & Phoenix* (2006), as Peri
- *The Notorious Bettie Page* (2006), as Bunny Yeager
- *Serenity* (2005), as Dr. Caron — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/serenity.md)
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Young Ellis Grey — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *Swimmers* (2005), as Merrill
- *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Lydia Lindquist — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md)
- *The D.A.* (2004), series, as Lisa Patterson
- *Path to War* (2003), as Luci Baines Johnson
- *Nip/Tuck* (2003), series, as Agatha Ripp — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/nip-tuck.md)
- *Down with Love* (2003), as Vikki Hiller
- *Bug* (2002), as Eileen
- *Leap of Faith* (2002), series, as Faith Wardwell
- *What Women Want* (2000), as Annie — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/what-women-want.md)
- *Held Up* (1999), as Mary
- *Jack & Jill* (1999), series, as Elisa Cronkite
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Anne Gillette
- *The Other Sister* (1999), as Heather Tate
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Sarah Paulson / Marcia Clark / Costumed Woman (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *The Long Way Home* (1998), as Leanne Bossert
- *Levitation* (1997), as Acey
- *Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal* (1996), Actor
- *American Gothic* (1995), series, as Merlyn Temple
- *Friends at Last* (1995), as Diana - Age 21
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Zoe
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Maggie Conner — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Pretty/Handsome*, series, as Corky Fromme
- *Ratched*, as Nurse Mildred Ratched
- *Clybourne Park*, Actor
- *I Am Sybil*, as Connie Wilbur
- *Talley's Folly*, as Sally Talley
- *Ethel*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Sarah Paulson at the premiere of Goldfinch, 2019 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/93963/gallery-65dbb2a0f8ca.jpg) Sarah Paulson at the premiere of Goldfinch, 2019 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Goldfinch_23_%2848810087796%29.jpg/1280px-Goldfinch_23_%2848810087796%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sarah Paulson at the premiere of Goldfinch, 2019 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/93963/gallery-39c92705ce50.jpg) Sarah Paulson at the premiere of Goldfinch, 2019 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Goldfinch_24_%2848810231392%29.jpg/1280px-Goldfinch_24_%2848810231392%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sarah Paulson at the premiere of Goldfinch, 2019 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/93963/gallery-307a8b171c51.jpg) Sarah Paulson at the premiere of Goldfinch, 2019 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Goldfinch_25_%2848810089691%29.jpg/1280px-Goldfinch_25_%2848810089691%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sarah Paulson at the premiere of Goldfinch, 2019 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/93963/gallery-a2f3e2069c11.jpg) Sarah Paulson at the premiere of Goldfinch, 2019 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Goldfinch_26_%2848809737273%29.jpg/1280px-Goldfinch_26_%2848809737273%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sarah Paulson](https://film.one/media/person/93963/gallery-d023eb448a21.jpg) Sarah Paulson — Image via TMDB
- ![Sarah Paulson](https://film.one/media/person/93963/gallery-f0cd779ee786.jpg) Sarah Paulson — Image via TMDB
- ![Sarah Paulson](https://film.one/media/person/93963/gallery-560836577be4.jpg) Sarah Paulson — Image via TMDB
- ![Sarah Paulson at the press conference of Goldfinch, 2019 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/93963/gallery-1d843cef4368.jpg) Sarah Paulson at the press conference of Goldfinch, 2019 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Goldfinch_PC_07_%2848810086242%29.jpg/1280px-Goldfinch_PC_07_%2848810086242%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sarah Paulson at the press conference of Goldfinch, 2019 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/93963/gallery-c3190599728f.jpg) Sarah Paulson at the press conference of Goldfinch, 2019 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Goldfinch_PC_08_%2848810087677%29.jpg/1280px-Goldfinch_PC_08_%2848810087677%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sarah Paulson](https://film.one/media/person/93963/gallery-04fb2ac19646.jpg) Sarah Paulson — Image via TMDB
- ![Sarah Paulson](https://film.one/media/person/93963/gallery-5c4133e4b8a7.jpg) Sarah Paulson — Image via TMDB
- ![Sarah Paulson](https://film.one/media/person/93963/gallery-d00ce0f055c8.jpg) Sarah Paulson — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2016: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/sarah-paulson