From television star to film actor
Sydney Sweeney has become one of the most in-demand actors of her generation. Born in Spokane, Washington, she first won wide attention in television series such as The Handmaid’s Tale, Sharp Objects, Euphoria and The White Lotus. She has since moved firmly into film, with leading roles in projects including Anyone but You, Immaculate and Marvel’s Madame Web, alongside Dakota Johnson.
One of her earliest notable film roles, however, was a small part in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
Playing “Snake”
In the film, Sweeney plays Snake, one of the young members of the Manson Family living at Spahn Ranch. In a tense sequence, Brad Pitt’s character, stuntman Cliff Booth, visits the ranch and comes face to face with the group. Snake has limited screen time, but the role put Sweeney in a cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was well received by critics and earned ten Academy Award nominations. It won two Oscars: Best Supporting Actor for Brad Pitt and Best Production Design.
Her “extra credit” audition
Sweeney has said that during casting, Tarantino invited actors to bring “extra credit” to their auditions, such as an additional scene or monologue. She chose to write a letter to Charles Manson in character as Snake. The unusual approach showed how seriously she took even a small role, and it helped her stand out.
Building a character from scratch
Sweeney is known for her detailed preparation. For many roles she writes a full personal history for her character, mapping out their life from birth up to the first page of the script. She used the same method for Snake, imagining how a young woman might end up drawn into the Manson Family.
She has also praised Tarantino’s production team for the realism of the Spahn Ranch set. Having studied photographs and footage of the real ranch, she said that walking onto the set made her feel as if she were truly there, which helped her stay in character.
A memorable birthday
Sweeney celebrated her 21st birthday while filming the movie, something she has called an unforgettable experience. In an interview with British GQ, she looked back fondly on working with Tarantino and laughed about how far she went to win a place in the film’s world. For an actor at the start of her film career, it was an early sign of the commitment that has since made her a major star.
