Palisadian Jamie Lee Curtis to Direct, Produce, Star in Lifetime Movie

By JENNIKA INGRAM | Reporter 

Palisadian Jamie Lee Curtis is putting her many talents to work—directing, executive producing and starring in “How We Sleep at Night: The Sara Cunningham Story.”

The original Lifetime movie is based on a true story about a devout Christian mother in Oklahoma City who came to terms with her son being gay.

“I believe we are going to present a story that will change minds,” Curtis said in a Lifetime interview posted on YouTube.

Curtis explained how impressed she was with Cunningham sending out an offer to be a “stand-in” mom for anyone’s same sex wedding.

“If you need a mom to attend your same sex wedding because your biological mom won’t. Call me,” Cunningham wrote in a social media post about two years ago. “I’m there. I’ll be your biggest fan. I’ll even bring the bubbles.”

Cunningham’s offer inspired other stand-in parents across social media to do the same.

“I was moved by her journey. And I continue to be thrilled as her movement is catching on,” Curtis said in an interview with The Washington Post. “I hope to do justice to her story and the story of so many marginalized people in the LGBTQ community.

“I saw the impact that her movement has already had, in and around Oklahoma City. It’s exciting to watch something that was born out of such conflict develop into something of such deep compassion and expansive acceptance.”

Curtis, a multi-faceted, award-winning performer, author, producer, director and philanthropist, optioned the rights to Cunningham’s memoir last year, according to Deadline.

Cunningham is the founder of Free Mom Hugs, an organization providing support to the LGBTQ community. Curtis opened for Cunningham’s presentation about her organization at the 30th Anniversary GLAAD Media Awards in 2019.

Although Curtis, known for a set of diverse roles, ranging from “Knives Out” to “Freaky Friday” (filmed at Palisades Charter High School) and “Halloween,” has directed television episodes, this will be her first credit on IMDb for directing a full-length television movie.

Sally Robinson will pen the script and it will be distributed by Sony Pictures Television, according to Deadline.

“How We Sleep at Night” is expected to be released sometime next year.