Veteran actress Jamie Lee Curtis revealed that she struggled to grasp the story of the film Everything Everywhere All At Once during her first reading of the script. Curtis earned her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 2023 Oscars for portraying IRS agent Deirdre Beaubeirdre in the movie.
Early Confusion Over the Complex Narrative
Everything Everywhere All At Once featured an intricate plot involving parallel timelines and multiple alternate realities, making it a challenging story to comprehend. Even seasoned actors found it difficult to unravel the script’s meaning, and Jamie Lee Curtis was no exception.
During an interview on CBS News’ 60 Minutes, Curtis, aged 67, was asked whether she understood the film when she first read the script. Her answer was straightforward and candid.
Not one second of it. Did I understand that script? No.
Jamie Lee Curtis, Actress
Understanding the IRS Agent Character
Although Curtis did not initially understand much of the story, she spoke about her character, Deirdre Beaubeirdre. She described the IRS agent as a woman who exerts control over others due to a lack of love in her own life.
We all know Dierdre. She’s a woman who’s not loved. She’s a woman who uses her power in her job to control people because she has no love in her life,
Jamie Lee Curtis, Actress
Reflecting on Family Legacy and Personal Growth
In the same interview, Curtis reflected on the impact of her famous parents, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, both of whom received Oscar nominations but never won. She expressed how she has managed to surpass them emotionally while emphasizing her personal freedom.
I think about surpassing my parents, which I have, emotionally. I’ve surpassed my parents with sobriety,
Jamie Lee Curtis, Actress
She added,
My mother was restricted by what the industry wanted from her, expected from her, and would allow from her. My mother would have hated [2024 film] The Last Showgirl because I showed what I really looked like. I have — I don’t want to say surpassed them, but I have freedom.
Jamie Lee Curtis, Actress
Ongoing Career and Impact
Jamie Lee Curtis continues to actively participate in the film industry, with recent appearances including a 2025 role on Ella McCay. Her breakthrough in Everything Everywhere All At Once not only earned her critical acclaim but also symbolized a poignant milestone in her long-lasting career.
Her honest admission about initially not understanding her Oscar-winning role highlights the challenges actors may face interpreting complex narratives and characters. Curtis’s achievement serves as a testament to perseverance, personal growth, and artistic exploration within a demanding industry.
