This week, BuzzFeed’s Doree Shafrir profiles Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress Melissa Leo, whose success in Hollywood has been a long time coming. Read that and these other great longform pieces from around BuzzFeed and the web.
How Melissa Leo Became An Overnight Sensation In Just 30 Years — BuzzFeed
Self-styled (literally) movie star Melissa Leo has, over the course of three decades of work, carved out an almost impossible career path for an actress: peaking in her fifties, simultaneously courting and trolling Hollywood, and not giving a shit how any of that makes her look. Read it at BuzzReads.
Photograph by Lauren Dukoff for BuzzFeed
Bad Blood — Matter
A riveting account by Will Storr of the brutal poisoning of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko in a London bar. "The case for official Russian involvement in Litvinenko’s death was growing. And there was more evidence to come: unbeknown to them, the assassins had left a trail — and it seemed to lead east." Read it at Matter.
How Brazil's Richest Man Lost $34.5 Billion — Bloomberg Businessweek
Just 18 months ago, Eike Batista was the eighth-richest man in the world. He was the the pride of Brazil, and had a Playboy model for a wife. Now, after some disastrous investments in oil, he's to close to bankruptcy. Read it at Bloomberg Businessweek.
Failure Is Not an Option — Texas Monthly
Beverly Kearney overcame a tough childhood and a near-fatal car accident to become the decorated coaching force behind University of Texas's female track and field dynasty. Last year, it was announced she was being fired for an affair with a student. Mimi Swartz delivers a tremendous look at the woman and her enigmatic life. Read it at Texas Monthly
Photograph by Michael Crouser / Via texasmonthly.com