Margot Kidder was born Margaret Ruth Kidder in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, to Jocelyn Mary "Jill" Wilson, a history teacher from British Columbia, and Kendall Kidder, a New Mexico-born mining engineer and explosives expert. As a child, Margot took pride in everything she did and became aware of her emotions at an early age. She wrote in her diary that she wanted to become a movie star, but she had to overcome her struggles with mood swings and suicidal thoughts. Her parents sent her to a boarding school, where she discovered her passion for acting.
After graduation, Margot moved to Los Angeles to pursue a film career. She faced prejudice and struggled to find her place in the industry, but eventually landed her first role in the Norman Jewison film Gaily, Gaily (1969). This led to more starring roles, including Quackser Fortune Has a Cousin in the Bronx (1970) and Romeo and Juliet.
Margot's early success was followed by a brief period of self-doubt and a decision to study acting in New York. She returned to Hollywood and met up with actress Jennifer Salt, with whom she became close friends. The two women befriended other struggling filmmakers, including Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma, and Steven Spielberg.
Margot's friendship with De Palma led to her role in the film Sisters (1972),which was a critical success. She went on to star in a string of critically acclaimed films, including Black Christmas (1974),The Great Waldo Pepper (1975),and The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975).
After a three-year break from acting, Margot returned to the screen with the role of Lois Lane in the film Superman (1978). She went on to star in Superman II (1980) and numerous other films throughout the 1980s.
In the 1990s, Margot became involved in politics and spoke out against the military during the Gulf War. She also appeared in a cameo in the film Maverick (1994).
In the late 1990s, Margot struggled with bipolar disorder and faked her own death. She later recovered and resumed her career, appearing in films like The Clown at Midnight (1998).
Margot Kidder died on May 13, 2018, in Livingston, Montana.
