Following her role as Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City, Sarah Jessia Parker rose to fame. Parker had began acting when she was just a teenager.
Today, the 56-year-old is happily married, has children, and has a very successful career. But what was it that made her life so inspiring and impressive?
Let’s find out how Sarah Jessica Parker got to where she it today.
Sarah Jessica Parker, now a renowned celebrity, came from humble beginnings. Born on March 25, 1965, in Nelsonville, Ohio, she was the youngest of eight children, and her parents divorced when she was young.
Sarah was primarily raised by her mother, Barbara, who later married a truck driver named Paul Forste. However, financial stability was often elusive as her stepfather faced periods of unemployment, and her mother, who ran a nursing home, had to single-handedly support the family. Life was far from easy.
Sarah herself reflected on her upbringing, saying, “The problem with talking about it is that people like to put a Dickensian twist on it as if I were an orphan. There were times when we didn’t have electricity because we couldn’t pay the bill on time – we simply didn’t have the money that month. Sometimes, we relied on the government for free lunches.”
Despite the financial struggles, Sarah’s parents were resourceful and hardworking. Their lives were culturally rich, even if practical matters were challenging.
Sarah holds no regrets about her childhood and is grateful for the work ethic it instilled in her. She explained, “I’ve never borrowed a penny from anybody. I think it’s a real privilege to grow up the way I did. I think my son’s strangely at a disadvantage because he’s a child of affluence, and he doesn’t know what that means. That is a great concern to me. I almost wish we could create a false universe for him. I know this is going to be misinterpreted across the world, but I think there is something good about not having much.”
Sarah Jessica Parker’s determination to support her family shone through at a young age. Her early talents in performing, both as a dancer and singer, helped bring in paychecks for her family.
At just eight years old, Parker secured her first leading role in a production of “The Little Match Girl.” She recalled, “I asked my mother if I could audition. So I went downtown to WLW-TV, which is our local NBC station, and stood in line and auditioned. And I was eventually cast as The Little Match Girl, and, I think it shot, it was a sum total of five days, and I was paid $500. And the only rule was that they get me out in time to get to my ballet class.”
In 1976, her talent was recognized, leading to her first Broadway role in “The Innocents.” This marked a significant step in her burgeoning acting career.
Sarah’s mother, Barbara, moved to New Jersey to support her daughter’s acting endeavors, as Sarah became the primary breadwinner for the family. Sarah received training in both singing and ballet, attending the American Ballet School and the Professional Children’s School, where her artistic skills continued to develop.
Sarah Jessica Parker – ‘Sex and the City’
In 1979, Sarah Jessica Parker had a significant breakthrough on Broadway when she starred as the orphan in “Annie.” She continued her education at Dwight Morrow High School while actively participating in various productions.
Upon graduating from high school, Parker committed to her acting career. In 1982, she achieved her first major television breakthrough with the sitcom “Square Pegs.” Her career continued to flourish as she took on roles in various TV shows and films. As the 1990s approached, she landed roles in increasingly prominent films.
Notably, in 1991, she starred alongside Steve Martin in “L.A. Story,” and the following year, she appeared in “Honeymoon in Vegas” alongside Nicolas Cage. In 1994, Parker had a role in Tim Burton’s celebrated film, “Ed Wood.”
However, her most iconic role was yet to come. In 1998, the first episode of “Sex and the City” premiered, with Parker taking on the role of Carrie Bradshaw. The show, centered around the lives of four friends in New York City, quickly became a cult classic.
“Sex and the City” ran for 98 episodes through 2004, propelling Sarah Jessica Parker into the realm of uber-celebrities. Interestingly, she nearly passed on the opportunity to star in the show, as her agent informed her that the creator, Darren Star, had written the pilot with her in mind. It was only after encouragement and reading the script that she decided to meet with him and ultimately take on the iconic role.
Released her own clothing line
Sarah Jessica Parker initially had reservations about taking on the role of Carrie Bradshaw in “Sex and the City.” She had concerns about potentially being tied down by a long-term TV series contract, given her desire for flexibility between stage and film work.
She recalled her thoughts, saying, “I said, ‘Really? I feel like I’ve got it all right now, I can do a play, then do a movie, then do a play, then do a movie. There’s a lot of flexibility. What could be better? Do I really want to go back to making a television series when I’m maybe held hostage signing a long-term contract?'”
However, after meeting with Darren Star and discussing her concerns, her agent, Kevin, persisted in convincing her to take the role. He assured her that it was a unique opportunity, unlike anything she had done before, and encouraged her to embrace it, despite her initial hesitations. This decision turned out to be pivotal in her career, leading to the iconic “Sex and the City” series and subsequent movies.
Sarah Jessica Parker – family & net worth
Sarah Jessica Parker has accumulated substantial wealth, with an estimated net worth of around $200 million. However, she remains aware of the relative privilege that her success has brought her. She acknowledges that while she is well-compensated in the context of the entertainment industry, there are many people in network television who work longer hours for less pay.
Parker’s perspective is shaped by her experience of being the financial support for her family for a significant portion of her life. She emphasized that her wealth isn’t solely about personal luxury but extends to responsibilities like her mother’s house payments and supporting her family members, including her father, who faced potential unemployment. This sense of financial responsibility and her past experiences without substantial wealth continue to influence her outlook on money.
In 1997, she married actor, Matthew Broderick and have three children together.
The Parker family resides in New York City, and Sarah Jessica Parker spoke fondly about her husband, Matthew Broderick, in an interview with Oprah. She described their relationship as still being in the honeymoon phase, emphasizing that she continues to find him the funniest, wittiest, and most clever person she knows. Their ability to make each other laugh is a cherished aspect of their connection.
Parker expressed admiration for Broderick’s background, coming from a literary and intellectual world. She shared her concern for his career and the demanding roles he takes on, including acting in multiple movies and saving a Broadway show at the time of the interview (specifically, “The Producers”).
In her words, “This guy’s got four movies coming out, and he’s about to go back in and save a Broadway show. I think people need to know about that. Few people do what Matthew does.” Their partnership is a blend of love, admiration, and mutual support in their respective careers.
Sarah Jessica Parker has been praised for her appearance especially her skin and glow.
Indeed, whether she chooses to wear makeup or not, Sarah Jessica Parker remains a timeless beauty icon.
“I’ve never thought a lot about [my attitude to beauty], to be honest,” she told Vogue. “It’s never been that I’m without vanity – because that would be total malarkey – but I sort of think that time moves along, you buy the things you like, you learn how to put your makeup on the way you feel comfortable, and that feels most like yourself.”