When we first posted this profile, Virginia Madsen was probably counting her lucky stars for agreeing to appear in a little film called “Sideways.” Before the festival favorite exploded as one of the best movies of 2004, Virginia wasn’t a very popular girl. Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1963, the sister of cult star Michael Madsen decided to follow her bit brother into the business after taking part in her very first high school production. After graduating, Virginia moved out Hollywood to give acting a shot, but the results weren’t nearly as spectacular as she expected. It’s true, Virginia did break into the business at a fairly young age, but most of her work was in bit roles for B-movies like “Candyman” and “Highlander II.”
Virginia continued to push through the bad years as the next decade welcomed even more topless roles, low-profile films and television guest spots, but it didn’t seem like she’d ever achieve the Hollywood dream that everyone thought possible. Then, as if by a force of nature, Virginia was thrust into the limelight with her performance as the loveable wine geek Maya in Alexander Payne’s film adaptation of the Rex Pickett novel “Sideways.” Virginia quickly went from a B-movie sex symbol to one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. It helped that she was simply brilliant as Maya in the film and looked amazing. You couldn’t help but fall for her and we were thrilled with her sucess.
Virginia Madsen on the Screen
Virginia didn’t have the most exciting career before “Sideways”, with a majority of her work relegated to bit parts in independent films and TV shows like “Star Trek: Voyager” and “Frasier,” but her later big screen success, thanks to her performance in Alexander Payne’s “Sideways” garnered the veteran actress some much deserved exposure. She hasn’t really matched that hit, but she’s been consistently working in Hollywood since then. Also, we can’t complain about her earlier work, since she often revealed her all-natural figure in a number of roles, which happens quite a bit with beautiful, busty actresses.
“Sideways” (2004)
Virginia Madsen is brilliant in this film, playing opposite the equally brilliant Paul Giamatti. As Maya she creates a character that you instantly fall in love with, just like Miles does in the film. Her genuine warmth and integrity is critical to the story, and Madsen nails the part. She was rewarded with an Oscar nomination for her performance.
Famed critic Roger Ebert had a great take in his “Sideways” review about the Maya character: “Maya (Virginia Madsen) is a waitress at a restaurant where Miles has often stopped in the past, to yearn but not touch. She’s getting her graduate degree in horticulture, and is beautiful, in a kind way; you wonder why she would be attracted to Miles until you find out she was once married to a philosophy professor at Santa Barbara, which can send a woman down market in search of relief.”
Virginia Says
On film actors:
“You know, we’re not on stage, we’re not doing a play, so we don’t have a relationship with the audience but going through that process and also just hearing how much people love the film, you feel like you do have a relationship with the audience.”
On wine:
“I can’t tolerate the cheap stuff anymore. I learned what I like. But I [also] learned how silly it is to be a snob. What matters is what you like.”