WALTON GOGGINS (Lithia Springs, Ga.) I was 19 when I moved to Los Angeles. I knew no one. I was grateful to be pigeonholed as Southern. At least I was in a hole! [Laughs]

MacDOWELL My first movie was “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan” and they ended up dubbing over my voice with Glenn Close’s. That was a nice slap in the face. Yes, I was very green, but you say an actress who never acted before is perfect for the role and that’s what you do?

GOGGINS My acting coach, David Legrant, said, “You have to change how other people perceive you. That means changing the sounds that come out of your mouth.” So I read Shakespeare sonnets out loud to myself while I was valet parking in the San Fernando Valley.

Set Pieces

SPACEK Brian De Palma didn’t at all comment on my accent in “Carrie.” I was so focused on being the daughter of Piper Laurie’s character. If you listen, she put a little Southern into her accent and that took the oomph off me.