Leslie Stefanson is a multidisciplinary artist. She has made the transition from acting to sculpture carving and made her mark as an accomplished sculpture artist. She has appeared in such film credits as The General’s Daughter and Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot. Most recently her work as a sculptor is gradually moving her into fine art. This is a story of artistic voyage, hard work, and a passion for the human figure in many mediums.
Profile summary
*Full name: Leslie Ann Stefanson
*Known professionally as: Leslie Stefanson
*Date of Birth: May 10, 1971
*Age: 52 years
*City of birth: Fargo North Dakota (raised in Moorhead Minnesota)
*Country of citizenship: United States
*Ethnicity: Icelandic American
*Profession(s): actress and sculptor
*Height: 6′ – 182 cm
*Father’s name: Randy Stefanson
*Mother’s name: Corinne Stefanson
*Spouse/partner: James Spader (2002-present)
*Children: Nathaneal Spader (born 2008)
*Net Worth: Approximately $1.4 million
Early Life
Leslie Stefanson was born in Fargo, North Dakota, but raised in Moorhead, Minnesota. Leslie’s family was Icelandic, and her paternal grandparents came from Iceland, which informed her development as an artist. In fact, Leslie could not have been more of a student, graduating with a degree in English Literature from Barnard College of Columbia University, class of 1993. While living in New York City, she also fully attended the Alliance Française. Leslie’s path to becoming an artist started with an extreme interest in anatomy, figure studies, and sculpture. After she worked on acting, she was able to be educated by some of the following inputting schools:
* Robert Cunningham Studio (Los Angeles)
* Otis Art School (California)
* Los Angeles Art College
* Art Students League of New York
Each of these experiences helped her transition from acting to sculpting.
Acting Career
Leslie Stefanson’s acting career lasted almost ten years with several films and appearances on television; she is probably best known for her picture Captain Elisabeth Campbell in The General’s Daughter (1999), which was regarded as her classic performance. She played Joan Bennett Kennedy for Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot (2001), and she was able to bring to life other complex historical figures. Other representations include :
* The Cowboy Way (1994)
* The Mirror has Two Faces (1996)
* Flubber (1997)
* Unbreakable (2000)
* The Hunted (2003)
Stefanson is known for her good behavior; she has moved through drama and comedy and into science fiction and fantasy.
Transition to Sculpting
Following her departure from acting in the early twenty-ohs, Stefanson was able to transfer into sculpting after having engaged in sculpting as a side project in Hollywood. By and large, her sculpting projects are around the female form; for example, a study of her loneliness, strength and hurt. She works with multiple materials, including bronze, terra-cotta, and brass, while creating aesthetically pleasing, realistic representations that are also expressive!
NOTABLE SCULPTURES AND RECOGNITION
* “La Bestia”: awarded the Gold Medal and Charlotte Geffken Prize by the National Sculpture Society, 2019, for work in bronze. Part of her series on Migration and Resilience.
* “I Myself Alone”: bronze sculpture, singular female figure, exhibited at the Rourke Art Gallery Museum, Moorhead, Minnesota, 2011.
Her commitment to learning the craft is shown by her thorough study of human anatomy to create a realistic, expressive work.
Personal Life
Leslie Stefanson has been in a committed relationship with actor James Spader since 2002. They share a son, Nathaneal, who was born in 2008, and split their time between New York City and Los Angeles, where Stefanson has her studios. Generally, the couple lives a private life, embracing their careers, family, and creativity.
Awards and Recognition
* Gold Medal & Charlotte Geffken Prize (2019)—awarded by the National Sculpture Society for her sculpture “La Bestia.”
* Exhibitions: her works have been exhibited in galleries around the United States, including her first exhibit at the Rourke Art Gallery Museum.
Social Media and Online Presence
Leslie Stefanson is private and mostly keeps a low profile, but she has also given outlets to announce and update her work through her official websites and social media, which is mostly artistically about her sculpting.
* Instagram: @mrmeagles1
* Facebook: Leslie Stefanson.
Stefanson’s social media presence is exclusive to sculpture projects, including glimpses of her creative endeavors.
Legacy and Impact
Leslie Stefanson’s steps toward a career, from Hollywood actor to now a well-thought-of sculptor, are an example of her breadth of knowledge and commitment to the arts. No matter whether in the film and television industry or in her studio painting and sculpting, Stefanson pursues excellence and brings her best out, and storytelling is accompanied by all her works. As a sculptor, similar to her role as an actress, anyone has the ability to recognize their own experiences when viewing her sculptures.
As Leslie Stefanson continues to sculpt and inspire us, her status is intact as an actress and an artist who accomplishes everything, she leans toward and commits herself to in both worlds of entertainment and fine art.
