{"id":26447,"date":"2026-08-03T20:18:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T15:18:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=26447"},"modified":"2026-08-03T20:18:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T15:18:25","slug":"samantha-morton-talks-being-homeless-as-a-teen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=26447","title":{"rendered":"Samantha Morton Talks Being &#8216;Homeless&#8217; As A Teen"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/theblast.com\/tag\/samantha-morton\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"22832\">Samantha Morton<\/a><\/strong>\u2018s journey to the top was not smooth sailing!<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The actress recently recalled the rough paths she went through from her younger days, with experiences that shaped the strong woman she is today. Her journey, leading up to landing the hit role on \u201cThe Odyssey,\u201d has been an experience of a lifetime.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Samantha Morton was not born with a silver spoon, but through hard work, dedication, and experience, she has made a name for herself despite her background.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large caption_belowImage credit_onImage mobile-image-full-width\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-1-788x1182.jpg\" class=\"pss-trigger\" role=\"button\" data-pss-trigger=\"0\" aria-controls=\"pss-modal\" aria-label=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\" title=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"1182\" src=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1182%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-1-788x1182.jpg\" alt=\"Samantha Morton at ''The Odyssey'' World Premiere In London, UK\" class=\"wp-image-829595\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1182%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-1-788x1182.jpg 788w, https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=428%2Cheight=642%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-1-428x642.jpg 428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 430px) 100px, 100vw\"\/><span class=\"pss-trigger__badge\" aria-hidden=\"true\">5<\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">ZUMAPRESS.com \/ MEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Morton revealed that her childhood was far from a bed of roses. The actress got candid about her parents\u2019 struggles with different vices, which in turn affected her life as a child. The entertainer\u2019s mother, Pamela, who died in 2017 from lung cancer, struggled with mental health issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her father, Peter, who, on the other hand, passed away last year, battled with alcoholism. The combined effect of her parents\u2019 issues landed Morton in the system. \u201cI went pillar to post with foster families, homeless hostels, sleeping by the bins at the back of the Co-op,\u201d she disclosed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The state of affairs also had a personal effect on the English actress, shaping how she viewed life. \u201cI have made choices that have always been about survival, because I watched my mum trying to survive and I watched my dad trying to survive,\u201d Morton told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes.com\/culture\/film\/article\/samantha-morton-on-the-odyssey-circe-is-a-gift-zbhv6qf35?gea_v2=true\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"(opens in a new tab)\">The Sunday Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 49-year-old movie star shared that she was described as \u201cresilient\u201d when she was younger, an attribute she gained from her life. To Morton, it was a no-brainer: you had to be resilient \u201cbecause if you are not, you\u2019re dead.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-the-actress-spent-her-teenage-years-being-the-life-of-the-party\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Actress Spent Her Teenage Years Being The Life Of The Party<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large caption_belowImage credit_onImage mobile-image-full-width\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-788x1102.jpg\" class=\"pss-trigger\" role=\"button\" data-pss-trigger=\"1\" aria-controls=\"pss-modal\" aria-label=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\" title=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"1102\" src=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1102%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-788x1102.jpg\" alt=\"Samantha Morton on 'The Odyssey' NYC Red Carpet\" class=\"wp-image-829594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1102%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-788x1102.jpg 788w, https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=428%2Cheight=599%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-428x599.jpg 428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 430px) 100px, 100vw\"\/><span class=\"pss-trigger__badge\" aria-hidden=\"true\">5<\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">ZUMAPRESS.com \/ MEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over a decade ago, the actress who plays the sorceress Circe in \u201cThe Odyssey\u201d got candid about her upbringing, sharing that she lived between her parents\u2019 separate homes until the age of eight, when she was placed as a \u201cward of court.\u201d Her mom was a factory worker while her dad was a coal miner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Being a ward of court means that a person is placed under the legal guardianship of the U.K. Court of Protection. Morton shared that she was abused as a child \u201cby various people,\u201d which made her form the view that \u201cviolence is irrational.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The TV personality told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2009\/apr\/25\/samantha-morton-the-unloved\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"(opens in a new tab)\">The Guardian<\/a> at the time that she moved between several foster parents and care homes before leaving school at the age of 13 to lead a different lifestyle. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The actress disclosed that she spent most of her early teenage years \u201craving, taking ecstasy and hallucinogenics with older children and young adults, lawless and lost.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Morton revealed that she was homeless for almost a year as a young teen. She got by spending nights in bus shelters or at friends\u2019 houses.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-samantha-morton-said-landing-circe-in-the-odyssey-was-a-dream-job\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Samantha Morton Said Landing Circe In \u2018The Odyssey\u2019 Was A \u2018Dream Job\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large caption_belowImage credit_onImage mobile-image-full-width\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-3-788x1175.jpg\" class=\"pss-trigger\" role=\"button\" data-pss-trigger=\"2\" aria-controls=\"pss-modal\" aria-label=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\" title=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"1175\" src=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1175%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-3-788x1175.jpg\" alt=\"Samantha Morton at The BAFTA Nominees Party 2024\" class=\"wp-image-829596\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1175%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-3-788x1175.jpg 788w, https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=428%2Cheight=638%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-3-428x638.jpg 428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 430px) 100px, 100vw\"\/><span class=\"pss-trigger__badge\" aria-hidden=\"true\">5<\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">CAN\/Capital Pictures \/ MEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Morton is no newbie to screens and acting, but she has rarely been offered projects on the scale of the 2026 action-fantasy hit. She previously disclosed the surge of emotions she experienced when Christopher Nolan reached out to her about the part. \u201cI got a phone call saying that Sir Christopher Nolan wanted to meet and I actually wept,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After landing the role, the English actress decided not to research what Homer scholars have written about Circe over the years, but rather to get into character by living in the moment on set. Morton drew inspiration from the filming location and her Scottish roots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another key aspect of her personal life that seeped into the role was her experience with magic. Raised in the English foster-care system, Morton joined a drama group for working-class teens and even spent a summer as a magician\u2019s assistant.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.centraloregondaily.com\/news\/entertainment\/samantha-morton-waited-decades-for-a-role-like-circe-in-the-odyssey\/article_998e91e6-4dcb-52b8-be8e-45546991f494.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"(opens in a new tab)\">Central Oregon Daily News,<\/a> she was excited when she learned that Nolan would use practical effects such as puppetry and prosthetics during Circe\u2019s spellbinding sequence. \u201cIt\u2019s proper movie magic. It\u2019s all in camera; what you see is real. So this was a dream job for me; I got to do all the things that I love,\u201d Morton explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-the-tv-personality-continues-to-work-on-her-craft\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The TV Personality Continues To Work On Her Craft<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large caption_belowImage credit_onImage mobile-image-full-width\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-4-788x1182.jpg\" class=\"pss-trigger\" role=\"button\" data-pss-trigger=\"3\" aria-controls=\"pss-modal\" aria-label=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\" title=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"1182\" src=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1182%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-4-788x1182.jpg\" alt=\"Samantha Morton at Women in Film &amp; TV Awards 2019\" class=\"wp-image-829597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1182%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-4-788x1182.jpg 788w, https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=428%2Cheight=642%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-4-428x642.jpg 428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 430px) 100px, 100vw\"\/><span class=\"pss-trigger__badge\" aria-hidden=\"true\">5<\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Phil Lewis\/WENN.com\/ MEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Morton, in a recent interview with <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/samantha-morton-calls-her-odyssey-performance-life-changing-exclusive-12014115\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"(opens in a new tab)\">PEOPLE<\/a>, shared that the opportunity to work with one of Hollywood\u2019s giants changed her life. She praised Nolan for being a master of his craft, adding that even at her age, she feels privileged to learn from him and improve at her job.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt was incredible, and for Christopher to give me that opportunity; I\u2019m 49, and you don\u2019t know that those roles are ever going to come your way again,\u201d she said, expressing gratitude to the director for giving her the part. The iconic actress also added that the whole experience has become one stamped in her mind, which she would hold on to for the rest of her life.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Nolan, Morton was not a choice but the choice. It was a classic case of opportunity meeting talent. The Oscar-winning filmmaker previously disclosed that he wanted Morton because of her talents and limitless performance. To ensure she was part of the project, he even built a filming schedule around her availability.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"h-inside-samantha-morton-s-trail-to-the-odyssey\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Inside Samantha Morton\u2019s Trail To \u2018The Odyssey\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large caption_belowImage credit_onImage mobile-image-full-width\"><a href=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-5-788x1020.jpg\" class=\"pss-trigger\" role=\"button\" data-pss-trigger=\"4\" aria-controls=\"pss-modal\" aria-label=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\" title=\"Open gallery of 5 images.\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"1020\" src=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1020%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-5-788x1020.jpg\" alt=\"Samantha Morton at the 21st British Independent Film Awards\" class=\"wp-image-829598\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788%2Cheight=1020%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-5-788x1020.jpg 788w, https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=428%2Cheight=554%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=75%2Cgravity=auto%2Csharpen=1%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-5-428x554.jpg 428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 430px) 100px, 100vw\"\/><span class=\"pss-trigger__badge\" aria-hidden=\"true\">5<\/span><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">WENN.com\/ MEGA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The mom of three joined the Central Junior Television Workshop at 13 and made her first TV appearance in the 1991 series \u201cSoldier Soldier\u201d. She continued acting in a number of television series, such as \u201cBand of Gold,\u201d in which she starred as Tracy Richards from 1995 to 1996, and the miniseries \u201cThe History of Tom Jones, a Foundling.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Morton voiced Ruby on the series \u201cMax and Ruby\u201d for over a decade, from 2002 to 2013, and has starred in several movies. She played the leading role, Iris, in the independent drama \u201cUnder the Skin,\u201d which was on the list of British Best Films from 1984 to 2009.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The actress made her directorial debut in 2009 with \u201cThe Unloved\u201d and won a BAFTA TV Award. She won a Golden Globe Award in 2008 and has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. Having started as a young homeless teenager, Morton has risen to success and now has a net worth of $10 million, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.celebritynetworth.com\/richest-celebrities\/actors\/samantha-morton-net-worth\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"(opens in a new tab)\">Celebrity Net Worth.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Samantha Morton\u2018s journey to the top was not smooth sailing! The actress recently recalled the rough paths she went through from her younger days, with experiences that shaped the strong woman she is today. Her journey, leading up to landing the hit role on \u201cThe Odyssey,\u201d has been an experience of a lifetime. Samantha Morton&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26448,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media.theblast.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Samantha-Morton-2-scaled-1200x675.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=26447"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26447\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/26448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=26447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=26447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=26447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}