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7 Shocking Secrets About Sydney Sweeney's Role As 'Snake' In Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

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Sydney Sweeney’s rise to superstardom has been meteoric, driven by her Emmy-nominated performances in *Euphoria* and *The White Lotus*. However, before she became a global icon, one of her most pivotal, yet brief, roles was in Quentin Tarantino's 2019 masterpiece, *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* (OUATIH). As of December 2025, this small but chilling performance remains a fascinating footnote in her career, primarily due to the intensely unique and controversial way she secured the part.

Her portrayal of "Snake," a member of the infamous Manson Family, was a masterclass in subtle menace, proving her dramatic range long before her current blockbuster success. The story of how Sweeney prepared for and ultimately landed the role—involving a highly unusual "extra-credit" assignment from Tarantino—is a testament to her dedication and the unconventional casting process of one of Hollywood’s most celebrated directors.

Sydney Sweeney: Complete Biography and Filmography Profile

Birth Name: Sydney Bernice Sweeney
Date of Birth: September 12, 1997
Birth Place: Spokane, Washington, USA
Profession: Actress, Producer
Notable Nominations: Two Primetime Emmy Award nominations in 2022 (for *Euphoria* and *The White Lotus*)
Early Career Highlights:

  • Began acting in 2009 after moving to Los Angeles.
  • Early roles in *Pretty Little Liars* and *Grey's Anatomy*.
  • Breakthrough roles in Netflix's *Everything Sucks!* and Hulu's *The Handmaid's Tale* (as Eden).

Selected Filmography (Post-2018):

  • Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) as Snake
  • The White Lotus (2021) as Olivia Mossbacher (Emmy Nomination)
  • Euphoria (2019–Present) as Cassie Howard (Emmy Nomination)
  • Reality (2023) as Reality Winner
  • Anyone But You (2023) as Bea (Also Executive Producer)
  • Immaculate (2024) as Cecilia (Also Producer)

The Chilling Role: Who Was 'Snake' in OUATIH?

In Tarantino’s 2019 film, Sydney Sweeney played the character "Snake," a young, quiet, yet fiercely loyal member of the Manson Family cult living at the dilapidated Spahn Ranch. While the role was relatively small in terms of screen time, it was a crucial part of the film's most tense and unsettling sequence, where Brad Pitt's character, stuntman Cliff Booth, visits the ranch to check on its owner, George Spahn.

The Real-Life Counterpart: Dianne Lake

Sweeney’s character, "Snake," is based on the real-life Manson Family member Dianne Lake. Dianne Lake was one of the youngest individuals in Charles Manson's circle, joining the group at the age of just 14. Her nickname within the cult was indeed "Snake." Sweeney’s portrayal captured the unsettling innocence and brainwashed devotion of the young women who fell under Manson's influence. The real Dianne Lake later became a key witness for the prosecution in the trials against the Manson Family. She published a memoir detailing her experiences, titled *Member of the Family: My Story of Charles Manson, Life Inside His Cult, and the Fight for My Soul*.

A Pivotal Scene at Spahn Ranch

The entire Spahn Ranch sequence is a masterclass in tension, featuring a stacked cast of young talent who played the various Manson Family members, including Dakota Fanning (Squeaky Fromme), Margaret Qualley (Pussycat), and Austin Butler (Tex). Sweeney's role as Snake was vital in establishing the atmosphere of the commune, a place that felt both idyllic and deeply sinister. She is seen interacting with Cliff Booth, embodying the unsettling, almost childlike, yet defensive nature of the cult members.

The Unbelievable 'Extra Credit' That Secured Her Casting

The most unique and frequently discussed aspect of Sydney Sweeney’s involvement in *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* is the method she used to land the part—a method that speaks volumes about Quentin Tarantino’s unconventional casting process and Sweeney’s commitment to her craft.

1. The Audition was a Blind Casting Call

According to Sweeney, the initial audition sides (script pages) sent out to actors were generic. Everyone auditioned for a single, unnamed female character, not specifically "Snake," to prevent spoilers and ensure the actors focused purely on the dialogue and the Manson Family dynamic.

2. The 'Extra Credit' Assignment

Tarantino’s casting team provided a list of historical research materials for the actors to study, but they also offered an optional "extra-credit" assignment. This was the key to unlocking the role.

3. Writing a Personal Letter to Charles Manson

Sweeney revealed that her "extra credit" was to write a letter from the perspective of her character, Snake, to the cult leader, Charles Manson. This assignment was a deep dive into the psyche of a brainwashed teenager, requiring her to fully inhabit the mindset of Dianne Lake, who was only 14 when she joined the Family.

4. The Letter's Impact on Tarantino

Sweeney’s dedication to this task paid off immediately. Her letter was so insightful and chillingly accurate that it reportedly impressed Tarantino and the casting directors, solidifying her place as "Snake." This level of preparation demonstrated her ability to handle the dark, complex material of the role, even with minimal screen time.

5. Deep Dive Research into Dianne Lake

Beyond the letter, Sweeney immersed herself in the history of the Manson Family. She researched the real Dianne Lake, studied the cult's life at Spahn Ranch, and consumed documentaries to understand the psychological manipulation involved. She treated the small role with the same intensity she would later bring to Emmy-nominated characters like Cassie Howard, ensuring her performance was grounded in dark reality.

6. Working with Hollywood Legends

The OUATIH set was a constellation of stars, and Sweeney had the opportunity to work closely with Brad Pitt (Cliff Booth) and the ensemble of young actors. Her experience, though brief, was a masterclass in filmmaking under the direction of a cinematic legend. She has since reflected on making the absolute most of her "itty bitty part" in the film, a testament to her early career ambition.

7. A Launchpad to Stardom

While *Euphoria* and *The White Lotus* cemented her fame, the role of Snake in a major Quentin Tarantino film elevated Sydney Sweeney's profile in a way that few other projects could. It proved to Hollywood that she was a serious, dedicated actress capable of tackling challenging, complex characters, paving the way for her to become one of the most sought-after stars of the current generation, now also serving as a producer on her own projects like *Immaculate* and *Anyone But You*.

sydney sweeney once upon a time in hollywood
sydney sweeney once upon a time in hollywood

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