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Who is Betsy Brandt?
American actress Betsy Brandt was born in Bay City, Michigan USA, on 14 March 1973, making Pisces her zodiac sign. She has 63 acting credits and is perhaps known best for playing Marie Schrader in the crime thriller series “Breaking Bad”, which is widely rated the best series of all time; it aired from 2008 through 2013, starred Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston, and was created by Vince Gilligan. It follows a chemistry teacher who’s begun manufacturing methamphetamine now that he’s been diagnosed with lung cancer, and the series won 155 of the 402 awards for which it was nominated.
Betsy’s today highly active in the film industry, and is currently shooting for the upcoming mini comedy series “Jefferies”.
Education and early life
Betsy was raised in Bay City by her parents of German descent Gray Brandt and Janet; not many details have been disclosed about them, because Betsy respects their privacy, while she hasn’t spoken about having siblings either, which is why her fans believe her to be an only child.
Betsy studied at Bay City Western High School and became interested in directing stage musicals during her time there, however, after she was cast to star in the school’s production of “Exit the Body”, she turned to acting instead.
Betsy matriculated in 1991 and in the following year enrolled at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine arts degree in 1996. She continued her education at Harvard University’s Institute for Advanced Theater Training, and also attended the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow; Betsy graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1998.
Roles in movies
Betsy’s debut film role was playing Natasha in the 1998 short crime drama “Confidence”, and some of her following roles were in the 1998 short drama “Stall”, the short comedy “The Red Boot Diaries” and the comedy “Memphis Bound… and Gagged” both in 2001.
The year 2004 saw her play Nono in the drama “Back When We Were Grown-ups”, which starred Blythe Danner and Faye Dunaway, and was directed by Ron Underwood. It’s based on the eponymous novel by Anne Tyler, and follows the life of 53 years old Rebecca Davitch; the film was nominated for seven awards. The remainder of the 2000s saw Betsy appear in only three movies, all in 2005 – the short comedy “All Features Great and Small”, the comedy “Shelf Life”, and the short comedy “John Wang’s Nebraska”.
The year 2012 saw her play Banker in the critically acclaimed comedy “Magic Mike”, which starred Channing Tatum and Alex Pettyfer, and was directed by Steven Soderbergh. It follows a successful stripper as he’s teaching a newcomer the job, and the film won nine of its 23 award nominations.
Betsy’s also known for playing Gigi in the 2016 romantic comedy “Between Us”, which starred Olivia Thirlby and Lio Tipton, and was written and directed by Rafael Palacio Illingworth. It follows Dianne and Henry who don’t want to settle down even though they’re mad about each other.
Some of Betsy’s most recent film roles have been in the romantic comedy “The Valet”, the comedy “The Grotto” and the horror thriller “Run Sweetheart Run”, all released in 2022.
Roles in TV series
Betsy’s debut TV series role was playing Elizabeth Granson in the 2001 episode “Imbroglio” of the drama “Judging Amy”, and the following years saw her appear in an episode or two of the crime action “JAG”, the crime drama “The Guardian” and the crime mystery “Without a Trace”.
She appeared in an episode of numerous series in the 2000s, while the most popular amongst these was perhaps the crime mystery “The Practice”, which starred Kelli Williams and Dylan McDermott, and was created by David E. Kelley. It follows a group of lawyers as they’re working at a law company in Boston, the series aired from 1997 through 2004 and won 58 of its 175 award nominations.
In 2013 and 2014, Betsy played one of the lead characters Annie Henry in all 22 episodes of the comedy “The Michael J. Fox Show”, which also starred Wendell Pierce and Michael J. Fox, and was created by Sam Laybourne and Will Gluck. It follows the life of a comedian, and the series won one of its three award nominations.
Betsy’s also known for starring as Heather Hughes in all 79 episodes of the critically acclaimed comedy “Life in Pieces”, which also starred Colin Hanks and Thomas Sadoski, and was created by Justin Adler. It follows the lives of members of a dysfunctional family, the series aired from 2015 through 2019, and was nominated for four awards.
Some of Betsy’s most recent TV series roles have been in the 2022 episode “Saul Gone” of the hit crime drama “Better Call Saul”, the episode “Jessie’s Story” of the crime drama “Accused” and eight episodes of the mystery thriller “Saint X” both in 2023.
Other credits
Betsy sang the song “La Marseillaise” in the 2010 episode “Half Measures” of the series “Breaking Bad”.
Some of her most recent talk-show appearances have been in “Daily Blast Live”, “Entertainment Tonight” and “On Air with Ka$h”.
Awards and nominations
Betsy and her colleagues were nominated for three Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for “Breaking Bad” in 2012, 2013 and 2014, winning in 2014.
Betsy was also nominated for a 2021 Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie Made for Television, for her performance in “Soulmates”.
Love life and marriage
Even though Betsy avoids sharing the details of her love life with her fans, it’s still known that she’s today a married woman and has two children.
She met American businessman Grady Olsen while they were both attending the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and they exchanged vows in a small and private ceremony in 1996, attended by only their closest family members.
Betsy gave birth to their daughter Josephine Olsen in 2005, and their son Freddie Olsen followed in 2008; Betsy and Grady are keeping Josephine and Olsen away from the media’s attention.
There are no other men whom Betsy’s been with, that we know about; she’s living with her husband Grady Olsen and their two children in Los Angeles, California, as of June 2023.
Interesting facts and hobbies
Betsy was pregnant with her second child while shooting for the second season of the series “Breaking Bad”.
She’s revealed that she loves to rehearse for theatre plays.
Betsy loves ice cream, and has stated that she’d like it to be taken on a daily basis as a medicine.
More than 100,000 people are following Betsy on Instagram today, and she’s posted over 100 pictures and videos; most of these feature her shooting for her TV series and movies.
She’s a huge lover of animals; Betsy’s favorites are horses, and she’s an avid horseback rider.
She meditates on a daily basis, and also enjoys doing yoga.
Brad Pitt is one of Betsy’s favorite actors, and some of her favorite movies include “Meet Joe Black”, “Troy” and “Fight Club”.
Height, eyes and wealth
Betsy’s age is 50. Her hair and eyes are brown, she’s 5ft 8ins (1.73m) tall and weighs around 135lbs (62kgs).
Betsy’s net worth’s been estimated at over $4 million, as of June 2023.
