Sarah Catharine Paulson is a highly acclaimed American actress known for her impressive range and captivating performances. Her talent has earned her numerous awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. In 2017, she was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people globally by Time magazine, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
December 17, 1974: Sarah Paulson is Born
Sarah Catharine Paulson is born on this day.
1975: Release of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The acclaimed film adaptation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which features the character Nurse Mildred Ratched, was released.
1994: Broadway Debut
Paulson makes her Broadway debut as a replacement understudy in The Sisters Rosensweig.
1995: Friends at Last and American Gothic
Paulson appears in the Hallmark television film Friends at Last and stars in the short-lived television series American Gothic.
1995: Start of American Gothic
Sarah Paulson began starring in the television series American Gothic.
1995: Acting Debut in American Gothic
Sarah Paulson begins her acting career starring in the television series American Gothic.
1996: End of American Gothic
Sarah Paulson's role in the television series American Gothic ended.
1996: American Gothic Concludes
The television series American Gothic concludes after its first season.
1997: Levitation and Cracker
Paulson makes her feature film debut in the thriller film Levitation and appears as a featured actress in the two-part episode "True Romance" of the television series Cracker.
1998: Killer Joe Off-Broadway
Paulson appears in an Off-Broadway production of Killer Joe.
1999: Jack & Jill Premieres
Paulson stars in the comedy-drama series Jack & Jill.
1999: Start of Jack & Jill
Sarah Paulson began starring in the television series Jack & Jill.
1999: Jack & Jill, The Other Sister, and Held Up
Paulson stars in The WB comedy-drama series Jack & Jill, appears in the drama The Other Sister, and has a supporting role in the comedy Held Up.
1999: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Paulson portrays the manipulative Anne Gillette in the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode "Shadow".
2000: What Women Want
Paulson appears in a supporting role in the film What Women Want.
2000: Appearance in What Women Want
Sarah Paulson appeared in the film What Women Want.
2001: End of Jack & Jill
Sarah Paulson's role in the television series Jack & Jill ended.
2001: Jack & Jill Ends
The television series Jack & Jill concludes after its second season.
2003: Down with Love
Paulson has a central role in the film Down with Love.
2003: Down with Love
Paulson stars in the period comedy Down with Love, portraying the friend and editor of a writer.
2003: Appearance in Down with Love
Sarah Paulson appeared in the film Down with Love.
2004: The D.A.
Paulson has a supporting role in the ABC series The D.A., which was cancelled after only four episodes.
2004: Relationship with Cherry Jones Begins
Sarah Paulson began dating actress Cherry Jones, marking a significant point in her public acknowledgement of her sexuality.
2005: Appearance in Deadwood
Sarah Paulson starred in the television series Deadwood.
2005: Broadway Debut in The Glass Menagerie
Sarah Paulson made her Broadway debut in the play The Glass Menagerie.
2005: Appearances in Serenity and The Notorious Bettie Page
Sarah Paulson appeared in two films: Serenity and The Notorious Bettie Page.
2005: The Glass Menagerie and Colder Than Here
Paulson stars in a revival of The Glass Menagerie on Broadway and appears Off-Broadway in a production of Colder Than Here.
2005: Serenity
Paulson has a small role in the Joss Whedon-directed science fiction film Serenity.
2005: Deadwood and Nip/Tuck
Paulson has a minor recurring role in the HBO series Deadwood and is a focal character in an episode of the FX series Nip/Tuck.
2005: The Glass Menagerie
Paulson appears in a revival of Tennessee Williams' play The Glass Menagerie on Broadway.
2006: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Paulson co-stars in NBC's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, playing Harriet Hayes.
2006: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Paulson stars in the comedy-drama series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
2006: Start of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Sarah Paulson began starring in the television series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
2007: End of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Sarah Paulson's role in the television series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip ended.
2007: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Concludes
The television series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip concludes after its first season.
December 2008: The Spirit
Paulson appears in the screen adaptation of Will Eisner's comic book The Spirit, playing an updated version of the character Ellen Dolan.
2008: Appearance in The Spirit
Sarah Paulson appeared in the film The Spirit.
2008: Off-Broadway Performance in Crimes of the Heart
Sarah Paulson appeared in the off-Broadway play Crimes of the Heart.
2008: Cast in Cupid Pilot
Sarah Paulson was cast in the ABC pilot of the remake of the 1998 series "Cupid".
2008: The Spirit
Paulson appears in a supporting role in the film The Spirit.
March 2009: Cupid Premieres
The ABC remake of the 1998 series "Cupid", starring Sarah Paulson and Bobby Cannavale, premiered.
May 19, 2009: Cupid Cancelled
The ABC remake of the 1998 series "Cupid", starring Sarah Paulson and Bobby Cannavale, was cancelled after six episodes.
2009: Relationship with Cherry Jones Ends
Sarah Paulson and Cherry Jones ended their relationship after five years.
2009: Appearance in Cupid
Sarah Paulson starred in the television series Cupid.
February 2010: Guest Appearance on Grey's Anatomy
Sarah Paulson appeared as the mother of Meredith Grey in a flashback sequence in a season six episode of the ABC drama, "Grey's Anatomy".
2010: Collected Stories
Paulson originates the role of Lisa Morrison in Donald Margulies's play Collected Stories.
2010: Performance in Collected Stories on Broadway
Sarah Paulson appeared in the play Collected Stories on Broadway.
2010: Broadway Debut and "Martha Marcy May Marlene"
Sarah Paulson starred in Donald Margulies's "Collected Stories" alongside Linda Lavin on Broadway and filmed the independent drama "Martha Marcy May Marlene", in which she starred opposite Elizabeth Olsen and Hugh Dancy.
2010: Appearance in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Sarah Paulson starred in the television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
2010: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit "Shadow" Episode
The episode "Shadow", featuring Sarah Paulson as Anne Gillette, airs as part of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit's eleventh season.
2011: "Martha Marcy May Marlene" Release
The independent drama "Martha Marcy May Marlene", starring Sarah Paulson, Elizabeth Olsen and Hugh Dancy, was released.
2011: Start of American Horror Story
Sarah Paulson began starring in the television series American Horror Story.
2011: Appearances in Martha Marcy May Marlene and New Year's Eve
Sarah Paulson appeared in two films: Martha Marcy May Marlene and New Year's Eve.
2011: American Horror Story Premieres
Paulson stars in the first season of the anthology series American Horror Story.
2011: Martha Marcy May Marlene
Paulson appears in a supporting role in the film Martha Marcy May Marlene.
2012: Game Change
Paulson stars as Nicolle Wallace in the television film Game Change.
2012: Appearances in Mud and Game Change
Sarah Paulson appeared in two films: Mud and Game Change.
2012: "American Horror Story: Asylum" and "Mud"
Sarah Paulson starred as Lana Winters in the second season of "American Horror Story", subtitled "Asylum" and as Mary Lee in the acclaimed drama film "Mud", starring Matthew McConaughey.
March 2013: "Talley's Folly" and "American Horror Story: Coven"
Sarah Paulson appeared in an Off-Broadway production of "Talley's Folly" opposite Danny Burstein and starred as Cordelia Foxx in the third season of "American Horror Story", titled "Coven".
2013: 12 Years a Slave
Paulson appears in a supporting role in the film 12 Years a Slave.
2013: Appearance in 12 Years a Slave
Sarah Paulson appeared in the film 12 Years a Slave.
2013: Off-Broadway Performance in Talley's Folly
Sarah Paulson appeared in the off-Broadway play Talley's Folly.
2014: "American Horror Story: Freak Show"
Sarah Paulson starred as conjoined twin sisters Bette and Dot Tattler in the fourth season of "American Horror Story", titled "Freak Show".
2015: "American Horror Story: Hotel" and "Carol"
Sarah Paulson starred as Hypodermic Sally in the fifth season of "American Horror Story", subtitled "Hotel" and as Abby Gerhard in the Todd Haynes-directed romantic drama "Carol".
2015: Relationship with Holland Taylor Begins
Sarah Paulson began a relationship with actress Holland Taylor.
2015: Appearance in Carol
Sarah Paulson appeared in the film Carol.
2015: Carol
Paulson appears in a supporting role in the film Carol.
February 2016: "The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story"
Sarah Paulson starred as Marcia Clark in the first season of the true crime anthology series "American Crime Story", subtitled "The People v. O. J. Simpson". She won a Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and TCA Award for her performance.
June 2016: Human Rights Campaign Video
The Human Rights Campaign released a video in tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, in which Sarah Paulson and others told the stories of the people killed.
2016: The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Paulson stars as Marcia Clark in the courtroom drama The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story and wins a Primetime Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award for her performance.
2016: Blue Jay
Paulson stars in the film Blue Jay alongside Mark Duplass.
2016: Appearance in Blue Jay
Sarah Paulson appeared in the film Blue Jay.
2016: Start of American Crime Story
Sarah Paulson began starring in the television series American Crime Story.
2016: Criminal Case Character Modeled After Paulson
The French hidden object game Criminal Case modeled the character Mary Patrick in its fourth season, Mysteries of the Past, after Sarah Paulson.
September 2017: Announcement of Ratched
It was announced that Sarah Paulson would star as a younger version of Nurse Mildred Ratched in the Netflix drama series Ratched.
2017: "American Horror Story: Cult", "Feud: Bette and Joan", and "Ocean's 8"
Sarah Paulson starred as Ally Mayfair-Richards and Susan Atkins in the seventh season of "American Horror Story", subtitled "Cult"; as Geraldine Page in an episode of the anthology series "Feud"; and was cast in the heist film "Ocean's 8".
2017: Time 100 Most Influential People
Time magazine named Sarah Paulson one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
2017: Time 100 Most Influential People
Sarah Paulson is named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.
2017: The Post
Paulson appears in a supporting role in the film The Post.
2017: Appearance in The Post
Sarah Paulson appeared in the film The Post.
September 12, 2018: "American Horror Story: Apocalypse" Premiere
The eighth season of "American Horror Story", subtitled "Apocalypse", in which Sarah Paulson reprised her roles as Billie Dean Howard and Cordelia Foxx and starred as Miss Wilhemina Venable, premiered. She also directed one of the episodes.
December 2018: "Birdbox" Release
The drama horror film "Bird Box", starring Sarah Paulson as Jessica, was released on Netflix.
2018: Net-a-Porter Best Dressed Women
Fashion website Net-a-Porter ranked Sarah Paulson as one of the best-dressed women.
2018: Ocean's 8 and Bird Box
Paulson appears in supporting roles in the films Ocean's 8 and Bird Box.
2018: Appearances in Ocean's 8 and Bird Box
Sarah Paulson appeared in two films: Ocean's 8 and Bird Box.
2018: "Ocean's 8" Release
The heist film "Ocean's 8", starring Sarah Paulson, Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Awkwafina, and Rihanna was released.
2019: Glass
Paulson reprises her role as Dr. Ellie Staple in the film Glass.
2019: Appearances in Glass and Abominable
Sarah Paulson appeared in two films: Glass and Abominable.
2019: Starring Roles in Glass, The Goldfinch, and Abominable
Sarah Paulson starred in three films: Glass as Dr. Ellie Staple, The Goldfinch as Xandra, and Abominable as Dr. Zara.
April 2020: Premiere of Mrs. America
The FX limited drama series Mrs. America, starring Sarah Paulson as Alice Macray, premiered.
September 2020: Premiere of Coastal Elites
The HBO satirical comedy television film Coastal Elites, starring Sarah Paulson as Clarissa Montgomery, premiered.
September 18, 2020: Release of Ratched Season 1
The first season of the Netflix drama series Ratched, starring Sarah Paulson as a younger version of Nurse Mildred Ratched, was released.
November 2020: Release of Run
The psychological thriller film Run, starring Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allen, was released and became the most-watched original film on Hulu.
2020: Mrs. America
Paulson stars in the miniseries Mrs. America.
2020: Appearances in Mrs. America and Ratched
Sarah Paulson starred in the television series Mrs. America and Ratched.
2020: Appearance in Run
Sarah Paulson appeared in the film Run.
2020: Ratched Premieres
Paulson stars as Nurse Ratched in the Netflix series Ratched.
2021: American Horror Story Double Feature
Paulson stars in the tenth season of American Horror Story, titled "Double Feature".
2021: Roles in American Crime Story: Impeachment and American Horror Story
Sarah Paulson portrayed Linda Tripp in American Crime Story: Impeachment and received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. She also returned to American Horror Story for its tenth season, playing Tuberculosis Karen and a fictional version of Mamie Eisenhower.
2021: End of American Horror Story and American Crime Story
Sarah Paulson's roles in the television series American Horror Story and American Crime Story ended.
February 2022: Announcement of Glennon Doyle Series
It was announced that Sarah Paulson would portray author Glennon Doyle in a television series based on Doyle's memoir, Untamed.
2023: Appropriate on Broadway
Paulson stars in the play Appropriate on Broadway.
2023: Guest Appearance in The Bear and Return to Broadway
Sarah Paulson guest starred as Michelle Berzatto in the episode "Fishes" of the Hulu series The Bear and returned to Broadway to star in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's play Appropriate.
2023: Return to Broadway in Appropriate
Sarah Paulson returned to Broadway to star in the play Appropriate.