Chicago

‘She Earned It': Rachel Brosnahan's North Shore Acting Teacher Recalls Golden-Globe Winner's Early Years

Before there were paparazzi flashes and a yellow Prada gown, Brosnahan got her start at the Actors Training Center in Wilmette.

Actress Rachel Brosnahan nabbed her second Golden Globe Sunday night, adding to her list of accolades--but you might not know the young actress actually got her start on Chicago’s North Shore.

NBC 5's Sabrina Santucci spoke with her former manager and acting teacher.

Before there were paparazzi flashes and a yellow Prada gown, Brosnahan got her start at the Actors Training Center in Wilmette.

“We just figured it out, went into business together, essentially,” the center's founder, Carole Dibo, said.

Dibo was Brosnahan's first manager. The actress started attending Dibo's classes at age 16

“She earned it," Dibo recalled. "She’s earned all of it, yet she manages to remain Rachel."

A graduate of Highland Park High School Brosnahan stars in Amazon Prime’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel."

Brosnahan won her second straight Golden Globe Sunday, for best actress in a TV series, musical or comedy.

“This has been the greatest experience of my life," Brosnahan said. "Playing this part and being part of this show. And the fact that people have responded so positively to the second season means a great deal."

She also snagged a prime-time Emmy for the role.

From the North Shore to New York City and Hollywood, Dibo never doubted the star’s potential.

"I was thrilled for her," she said. "I was thrilled when she won the Emmy, but none of this is very surprising to me I just knew that she had it in her. She’s one of the hardest workers."

Brosnahan will host Saturday Night Live on Jan. 19.

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