A Southern-bred actress who filled her résumé with nuanced portrayals of tough-talking, hard-living broads, Dale Dickey was born in Knoxville, Tenn. She started acting in high school plays before attending the University of Tennessee but didn't take on Hollywood until she was in her mid-30s.

Dickey's breakthrough performance as a scene-stealing survivor in the critically acclaimed drama Winter's Bone (2010) earned her some of the most glowing notices of her career, along with an Independent Spirit Award.

In mainstream circles, Dickey is best known for her recurring role as "Patty the daytime hooker" --- a prostitute and part-time waitress who scored 1,500 on her SATs -- on the sitcom "My Name Is Earl" (2005-09). She also appeared as a junkie in "Breaking Bad" (2009) and in major studio films such as Domino (2005) and Changeling (2008), albeit in minor roles.