--- title: "Jessica Lange Receives Visionary Award at Virginia Film Festival" url: https://noti.group/jessica-lange-receives-visionary-award-at-virginia-film-festival/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Entertainment" published: 2026-11-09T22:31:16.000Z updated: 2026-11-09T23:44:27.071Z id: 92a3fbc3-3022-4a1c-8a64-eff11c8c9d1d source: "The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jessica-lange-long-days-journey-into-night-retirement-rumors-1236750103/" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/jessica-lange-receives-visionary-award-at-virginia-film-festival/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Jessica Lange Receives Visionary Award at Virginia Film Festival Legendary stage and screen actress Jessica Lange was honored with the Visionary Award at the Virginia Film Festival recently. During a recording of an awards-focused podcast at the festival, Lange discussed her career and its inevitable conclusion. The 77-year-old actress reflected on how she will eventually be unable to take on certain roles due to aging. Lange also brought her latest film project, a big-screen adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey Into Night, to the festival. The classic play tells the story of Mary Tyrone, a morphine addict in 1912 Connecticut, and Lange has expressed interest in ending her career with this iconic character. Her portrayal would be a fitting tribute to her long-standing dedication to the craft. Lange's illustrious career spans 50 years, during which she has appeared on screen, stage, and television. With two Oscars, three Emmys, and one Tony Award under her belt, she is part of an elite group known as the "triple crown of acting." This distinction is reserved for individuals who have achieved at least one honor in each category. The conversation surrounding Lange's retirement has been ongoing, with many speculating about when she will finally hang up her acting hat. After making her film debut in the 1976 remake of King Kong, Jessica Lange's career trajectory was far from straightforward. Despite being cast by renowned producer Dino De Laurentiis and receiving significant publicity, including a cover feature on TIME magazine, the film's massive failure left her shaken. The flop of King Kong had a profound impact on Lange, eroding her self-confidence to the point where it threatened to derail her entire career. However, she was able to bounce back through smaller but pivotal roles in various films. A turning point came with her supporting turn in Bob Fosse's All That Jazz (1979), which marked the beginning of a resurgence that would see Lange deliver standout performances in a string of critically acclaimed films, including The Postman Always Rings Twice and Tootsie. As Lange entered her forties, she began to feel a sense of stagnation in her career. This marked a shift from her earlier days as a leading lady, and she started working less frequently, often taking on supporting roles that didn't particularly excite her. Her association with producer Ryan Murphy proved to be a turning point. The two collaborated on several projects, including the HBO limited series Grey Gardens (2009), which earned Lange an Emmy Award. This marked the beginning of a new phase in her career, one that saw her return to more frequent and challenging roles. Lange's work with Murphy also led to her involvement in American Horror Story, where she appeared in four seasons between 2011 and 2015. During this time, she won two Emmy Awards for her performances. Another notable collaboration was the limited series Feud: Bette and Joan (2017), although it only lasted a single season. The project that has captured Lange's heart is Tyrone in Long Day’s Journey Into Night, which she first portrayed on stage in London in 2000 to critical acclaim. She later reprised the role on Broadway in 2016, earning a Tony Award for her performance. After facing numerous setbacks, including delays even after filming had begun in Ireland, financier David Lindsay-Abaire and director Jonathan Kent managed to secure final funding for the project. The end result is a film that Lange is incredibly proud of, and she is now working tirelessly to promote it at various festivals and select theaters through its tiny distributor. The movie's exclusive release has sparked renewed interest in Lange's talents. As Long Day's Journey Into Night gains momentum, Lange finds herself in the running for both an Oscar and an Emmy thanks to her recent return to American Horror Story's 13th season, which aired between September 24 and October 29. --- Source: [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/jessica-lange-long-days-journey-into-night-retirement-rumors-1236750103/) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/jessica-lange-receives-visionary-award-at-virginia-film-festival/