Lisa Blount

LISA BLOUNT, 53, died this week in her Little Rock home. She was born July 1, 1957 in Fayetteville, Ark. and grew up in Jacksonville. She returned to Arkansas in 2005 after many years of living and working in Los Angeles, to make her home here with Ray McKinnon. She leaves with us a powerful legacy of art and a lifetime of cherished relationships. Lisa was inducted into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame on Sept. 9 of this year. However, that honor did not signal the end of her career. It was the announcement of her next act. In recent months the Academy Award winning actress-producer was productive and creative both personally and professionally. In the short weeks before her death she shot a pilot for the FX network; recorded demos for a long gestating music project she was ready to tackle; performed on stage with Eddie Vedder at a rally for the West Memphis 3; and continued designing the remodel of her beloved, historic home. Ms. Blount's film career started when she was 19 years old with a lead role in a major studio film shot in Arkansas. In "September 30, 1955" she acted alongside Richard Thomas, Dennis Quaid and Thomas Hulce. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her breakout performance as Lynette in "An Officer and a Gentlemen". In 2002 she won an Oscar for her role in producing the live action short "The Accountant". Her award winning performance as Chrystal in the film of the same name is perhaps her most powerful and poignant work as an artist. Lisa is survived by her husband, Ray McKinnon; her parents Glen and Louise Blount of Cabot, Ark.; her brother, Greg Blount of Floral, Ark.; nieces Skylar Blount and Krista Blount of Cabot; niece Nikki May of Little Rock; and a multitude of cherished family and friends. A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31 at Roller Chenal Funeral Home (501)224-8300 in Little Rock. A public memorial celebrating Lisa's life and legacy will be held at Noon on Monday, Nov. 1 at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, Little Rock, Ark., with Tim Jackson, officiating and friends and family giving witness to Lisa's extraordinary life. Flowers are welcome but the family also appreciates your support of Lisa's charitable efforts through the Lisa Blount Memorial Fund, Metropolitan National Bank of Little Rock. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.