New Duluthian: Actress Jessica Lange

Film, stage and television luminary, Jessica Lange recently moved from her home in New York to the Greysolon Plaza towers in downtown Duluth. Lange, a Cloquet native began her career in the 1976 version of King Kong in which she won a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year. Her career spans all the way to the present with her role in a 2012 drama titled The Vow. Jessica’s 2010 separation from actor Sam Sheperd left her in tatters. Since their breakup Lange has made the cross country move back to the northland. The small town charm of Duluth combined with the comfort and safety of the geriatric high rises nestled downtown ultimately brought her back. She’s also pleased that people in Duluth will actually view her as a celebrity instead of a has-been. Initially she aspired to a condo at the Sheraton, but her plans were foiled when her mortgage wasn’t approved.

Enquirer: Was growing up in Cloquet as horrible as it seems?
JL: I was actually born in Nickerson, a stone’s throw away from Cloquet. It was nice, small and quiet. Like population 50 small. Meth hadn’t gained popularity yet, so kids would just be kids.
Enquirer:  I heard you also lived in Stillwater?
JL: Yes. We lived in a comfy home near the banks of the St. Croix River. It was beautiful. When Sam and I split up I started to have the most vivid dreams about Fon Du Luth Casino. The charm of the clientele, the stagnant smell of smoke and the stiff drinks were stamped into my brain. I knew I had to come to Duluth.
Enquirer: Are you planning on furthering your career as an actress in Duluth?
JL: Absolutely. I auditioned for Fantine in Les Miserables but some 20 year old art student got the part. Duluth has a tough theater scene to crack into. You have to know somebody who knows somebody, you know? I was thinking about trying improv at Teatro Zuccone, but those guys are all so intimidating. Pat Carroll is a gas. But I hear Chester Teschsen preys on milfs.
Enquirer:  That may be true. How’s your new life at Greysolon?
JL: It’s nice. My neighbors are really quiet. Administration said if it gets too quiet to go knock on doors to see if they’re alive. The hallways smell like Worther’s and baby powder. I’ve been hitting the casino a lot. I started smoking too. It’s lonely here. So far, very few people recognize me; hopefully I can remain below the radar for a few years