Octavia Spencer (@therealoctaviaspencer/Instagram)
“Hidden Figures” star Octavia Spencer gifted low-income California families with a treat when she bought out a theater playing the historical drama.
The actress’s donation for an 8 p.m. showing at Rave Cinemas Friday, Jan. 13 in Baldwin Hills served as a charitable start to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.
“If you know a family in need that would like to see our movie but can’t afford it, have them come,” Spencer wrote on Instagram Thursday, Jan. 12. “It’s first come, first served. My mom would not have been able to afford to take me and my siblings, so I’m honoring her and all single parents this #mlkweekend. Pass the word.”
Days earlier, before she appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Spencer revealed she was inspired by Kevin Hart to buy out the theater “for those feeling the post-holiday purse crunch who would really like to see the movie but don’t have the funds.”
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Fans reacted enthusiastically to the actress’ post.
Spencer’s co-star Taraji P. Henson also acknowledged the actress’s altruism and did her part to spread the word.
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The holiday weekend saw “Hidden Figures” remain in the No. 1 spot at the box office for the second weekend in a row. The film raked in $20.8 million for the three-day weekend, according to TheWrap, and made $26 million counting the Dr. King holiday as a four-day weekend.
The movie’s third star, Janelle Monáe, celebrated on Instagram Sunday, Jan. 15. After thanking fans for seeing the film, the singer-actress applauded Henson and Spencer.
“Congratulations to our fearless leader and the lead in this film @tarajiphenson for bringing us all along on this extraordinary ride!” Monáe said. “I am honored to stand alongside your incredible talent and support you and the brilliant @therealoctaviaspencer! You all are my big sis’ and HERoes 4 life. So happy and proud of you. No one more deserving.”
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