Rebecca Wisocky has captivated audiences across various platforms, from her memorable roles as Evelyn Powell in Devious Maids to Lorraine Harvey in American Horror Story: Murder House. Now, she’s bringing her talents to Ghosts, where she portrays Hetty Woodstone, the enigmatic lady of the manor, as the show kicks off its fourth season on CBS on October 17.
At first glance, Wisocky’s portrayal of Hetty may evoke memories of her previous characters, like Evelyn or Mrs. Mason from Desperate Housewives. “I often play in that spectrum of difficult, uptight, persnickety, and upper crust ladies,” she admits. “I think I’ve cornered a bit of the market on that. But I also cherish the rare opportunities to explore different facets of my craft as a character actor.”
Wisocky’s versatility shines through in her career, which has seen her take on a wide array of roles. She recalls an impactful episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, where she portrayed a strung-out heroin addict. “Regardless of the roles I play, I strive to bring something unique to each performance,” she emphasizes.
Her journey as an actress began at a young age. At just seven, Wisocky took on a role in a local theater production of Alice in Wonderland in Pennsylvania, thanks to her mother’s encouragement. “I was painfully shy as a child, so it was both strange and exciting for me to be involved in theater,” she remembers. “Playing the mock turtle and singing ‘Beautiful Dreamer’ helped me find my voice and a sense of community, which I cherished throughout my childhood and high school years.”
These formative experiences shaped her as an artist. “I’ve come to realize that the qualities I once thought were strange about myself have become my strengths as an actor,” she reflects.
Wisocky’s education at the Experimental Theatre Wing at NYU further honed her skills. There, she trained under Annie-B Parson and Paul Lazar, artistic directors of the New York City-based dance theater company Big Dance. “Despite having experience in standard and classical plays, I wanted to learn how to let loose and be free,” she says. “The physical training I received was invaluable, and even now, while working on Ghosts, I apply those skills of composition and teamwork.”
Her path eventually led her to Broadway, where she made her debut in 1995 as a standby for the role of Ilona Szabo in The Play’s the Thing. Since then, she has played iconic roles like Lady Macbeth and Medea. In 2008, Wisocky reached a significant milestone in her career, winning the Obie Award for Distinguished Performance by an Actress for her portrayal of Leni Riefenstahl in the play Amazons and Their Men. “Coming from deep downtown theater in New York, winning an Obie and being recognized by that community was incredibly moving,” she recalls.
With each role, Rebecca Wisocky continues to showcase her talent and versatility, leaving a lasting impact on both stage and screen. As Ghosts opens its fourth season, fans can look forward to more of her unique and engaging performances.
