A Golden Moment with Actor Annie Murphy
As part of our Golden Together campaign, we’re introducing “Golden Moments”: a seven-part interview series highlighting women who are barrier-breakers empowering others to do the same.
It was through the fans of her hit comedy series Schitt’s Creek, that Annie Murphy learned the very real value of laughter. The actor and newly-minted Emmy-winner talks to us about the golden moment that validated her comedy and how creative collaboration yields the greatest rewards.
What inspired you to become an actor?
As a kid I remember realizing we only have one life to live, so I think one of the main reasons I got into acting was to cheat the system. When you act, you can live pieces of different lives as many different people within the one life you have. System. Cheated.
What was your golden moment?
My golden moment was when I got my first letter from somebody telling me that Schitt's Creek—and the laughter and levity it provided—is what got her through chemotherapy treatments. As someone who is surrounded by teachers and healthcare workers, and has always been self-conscious about sharing that I am an actor, this made me realize how important laughter is, and that a giggle is good for your health.
How do you derive strength and resilience from your community?
I derive strength and resilience from my community by observing how strong and resilient they are. I'm surrounded by people who, despite having persevered through many ups and downs, continue to look at the world with hope and positivity.
How do you support—or find support—in the women around you?
I'm very lucky to have a ridiculous number of brilliant and talented women in my life, and I like introducing them to one another so they can fall in love with each other, the way I've fallen in love with them. And/or so they could work together. And/or so they could pick each other's brains. But definitely not so they can pick each other's noses.
Tell us about some of the most important connections you've made in your life.
As an only child, the strongest connections I’ve made in my life (other than my dear, wonderful, loving parents who are most definitely reading this, hi, hello to you) are my friends. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by dear friends who are smart, funny, creative and goofy AF, who I can be inspired by, work with and maybe steal jokes from.
What are the biggest opportunities in your field when it comes to progress, equity and equality?
Though it’s certainly not an overnight success situation, I do think that people are rapidly rejecting the idea that the entertainment industry (and beyond) should be seen exclusively through the lens of (mostly white, mostly wealthy, mostly heterosexual) men. The LGBTQ+ community seem to be looking out for the BIPOC community who seem to be looking out for the women-identifying community at large and vice versa, in order to give a voice to as many (thus far) deeply under-represented, deeply creative humans who haven’t had their time to be properly seen or heard.
What are the things that make you most excited about 2021, and about the next generation?
The things that excite me most about 2021 is “potential” with the humans you love—for physical human interaction, for looking out for one another, for getting cozy in a bar or restaurant, for travelling the world, for making cool things—who until this point, if you’ve been so fortunate, you’ve only seen behind goggles and masks.
Regarding the next generation, I’m most excited that, despite witnessing a world in which ignorance, racism, bigotry, sexism, fascism and violence run rampant, many young people have denounced those things in hopes of creating a better existence for them, us and the rest to come.
What motivates you?
Short term: making myself and the people around me as happy and positive as possible in the moment. Long term: to make things that make people happy or hopeful or reflective.
What does Golden Together mean to you?
It means supporting and encouraging and enabling those in our community to strive to reach their full potential through all the ups and the downs. And hoping they'll do the same for you.
SHOP ANNIE'S JEWELRY
Oversized Thin Hoops
14k Yellow Gold
$368
Bold Link Chain Necklace
Gold Vermeil
$178
Pavé Diamond Croissant Dôme Ring
14k Yellow Gold, Natural Diamond
$648
Bold Stacker
14k Yellow Gold
$228
Diamond Tennis Bracelet 1.3mm
14k Yellow Gold, Natural Diamond
From $2100
Boyfriend Bold Bracelet
14k Yellow Gold
$168
Bold Herringbone Chain Necklace
Gold Vermeil
From $198
Large Diamond Studs
14k Yellow Gold, Natural Diamond
$1600
Charlotte Hoops
14k Yellow Gold
$448
Curb Chain Necklace
14k Yellow Gold
$348
Photographs by Norman Wong
Styled by Rita Liefhebber