After more than three decades in the business, Lisa Emery finally got the opportunity of a lifetime in 2017 when she was cast as Darlene Snell in the Netflix series, Ozark. Despite her character’s somewhat disturbing nature, Darlene has become one of the most intriguing characters on the show. There’s something about Darlene that makes viewers want to see what she will do next, and this is all thanks to Lisa’s excellent work. The almost 70-year-old actress is proof that it’s never too late for someone’s dreams to come true. Read on to learn 10 things you didn’t know about Lisa Emery.
1. Darlene Isn’t The First Twisted Character She’s Played
A character like Darlene may be intimidating for some actors to take on. However, Lisa Emery already had experience playing a similar role. She told The New York Post, “I did a play called ‘Iron’ with a character who was terrifying. It took place in Northern England in a prison and [my character] had killed her husband with a hammer. She scared me more than Darlene, almost. They both had the same M.O.”
2. She’s From Pennsylvania
Lisa was born in Pittsburgh to a mother who was an aspiring actress. She grew up in the Philadelphia area due to her father’s job in Valley Forge. Lisa then moved to Virginia to attend college at Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia.
3. Her Son Is An Actor
Lisa Emery was married to actor John Pais from 1990 to 2003. The couple had two children together, one of whom is actor Zane Pais. Zane has had a few small roles in productions such as Room 104 and Margot at the Wedding. He hasn’t achieved a major role yet, but with his parents’ acting prowess, that day will be coming soon.
4. She’s Never Had A Career Strategy
When many actors start their career, they know exactly where they want to go and how to get there. But Lisa Emery isn’t like most actors. Although she has found success over the years, she was never exactly looking for it. She told Backstage, “I take it as it comes. I’m perfectly happy with where I am now, and I love what I do.”
5. She Has More Than A Dozen Stage Credits
Like many other actors, Lisa got her start in theater and she has continued to do stage productions throughout her career. She has amassed more than a dozen stage credits and has appeared in productions both on and off Broadway.
6. The Script Is The Most Important Thing To Her
When Lisa is looking for stage roles, the script is always her deciding factor. She says, “If I’m rolling my eyes when I read the play, I know I’ll be miserable even if I’m in a drought. But I’ll still do a play, even if I think it needs a lot of work, as long as the playwright is around and willing to work on it.” Even though she admits that taking TV roles is primarily about the money, the script is still her deciding factor for those as well.
7. She’s Worried About Her Age Affecting Her Work
Aging in the entertainment industry can be a daunting prospect, especially for actresses. Lisa admitted that she sometimes worries about how advancing age might affect her career. Nevertheless, she has managed to maintain a consistent flow of job opportunities.
8. She Fell Into Acting By Accident
Even with an actress for a mother, Lisa wasn’t one of those people who grew up knowing that she wanted to be an actress. She didn’t truly develop an interest in acting until she went away to college when she observed an acting class doing improv.
9. She Thinks Being A Team Player Is Key
There are many paths to success in the entertainment industry, and different people will give you different advice. In Lisa’s opinion, being a collaborative team player is one of the most essential qualities a person can possess if they want to succeed in the business.
10. She Wanted To Be A Painter
When Lisa went away to college, she majored in art with the plan to become a painter. However, she often found herself feeling frustrated with her studies. After witnessing an acting class, she decided that studying acting looked like a lot more fun.
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