June Squibb's home town helped her relate to the lifestyle portrayed in 'Nebraska'.
The 84-year-old actress plays Kate Grant in the Oscar-nominated drama and claims Vandalia, which is located in rural Illinois, has the kinds of people characterised in the film.
She told the guardian newspaper: "It [home town] was a small midwestern town in south-eastern Illinois, not a lot different from the places in the movie. I knew all those people in 'Nebraska', I recognised Kate completely.
"I've seen scenes like those groups of utterly silent men watching the football game on TV, or moments just like that, all my life, throughout my family and friends' households there."
Squibb always knew she was "different" and didn't belong in Illinois and aimed to pursue an acting career elsewhere.
She added: "It was a normal small town of about 5-6,000 people, and I had lots and lots of friends, I was a cheerleader and a majorette and all those things you'd expect of a girl in the 30s and 40s. But the thing I always thought of myself as was an actress. I never thought, 'I want to be.' It was always, 'I am.' I felt that from an early age, and I always thought perhaps I don't really belong here."
Squibb has been nominated for an Academy Award for Supporting Actress and is up against Sally Hawkins, Jennifer Lawrence, Lupita Nyong'o and Julia Roberts at the ceremony which takes place in Hollywood on March 2.

Chris Evans had a diet of "bland chicken" to develop Captain America's hunky physique.
The 32-year-old actor has been cast as the titular superhero in forthcoming film 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' and was forced to do "weight training" and eat protein foods to build the image needed to depict his character.
He said: "I'm a skinny guy naturally. My body wants to be about 170-180lbs, so to get it to 200lbs, I have to eat a lot. It's not so much what you're eating, it's the quantity. Aside form the weight training, which is brutal - although when you walk out of the gym you feel great - it's inbetween the workout that's tough, just eating, eating, eating. It sounds pleasant, but it's not pizza and doughnuts, it's just bland chicken. Very lean, dry, simple food that provides protein. You always feel bloated and uncomfortable."
Evans reprised the role he first took on in 2011's 'Captain America: The First Avenger' for 'The Avengers' and 'Thor: The Dark World' before taking on the character again for 2014's film, and admits he doesn't continue to work out between movies.
He told UK's Glamour magazine: "A week before we wrap, I stop working out. I literally just started again this week [for the second Avengers film], but these past few months have been so wonderful - not even thinking about the gym."

Leonardo DiCaprio has reportedly bought a mansion for $5.2 million. The 'Wolf of Wall Street' star - who recently announced he was taking a year away from acting - has spent the huge sum of money for a 1.34 acre property in Palm Springs, California. ...

Michelle Heaton gave birth to a baby boy this morning (28.02.14).
The Liberty X singer - who already has two-year-old daughter Faith - welcomed her son into the world at 8.45am and proud father and husband Hugh Hanley gushed about his "amazing" wife as he announced the happy news on Twitter
He tweeted: "Our little man arrived this morning at 8.49am my beautiful wife @wonderwomanshel was amazing, I'm so proud of her. Both are doing great (sic)"
Michelle has been "snuggling" with the new addition and thanked fans who sent messages congratulating the couple on the happy news.
She added: "Thank you all so much for your well wishes. Mine & @hughhanley little boy is snuggled into us and we are the happiness parents ever. Xx (sic)"
Fans and celebrity friends, including 'Hollyoaks' star Gemma Merna, The Only Way Is Essex's Jessica Wright and Amy Childs sent their best wishes to Michelle and Hugh on the social networking site.
Michelle began anticipating the arrival of the little one since Thursday (27.02.14) and became "bored" of waiting.
She wrote: "Lol no peeps ..I'm not in labour .. Just bored of waiting lol xxxxx (sic)"

Pharrell Williams named his album 'G I R L' because women have been "loyal" to him throughout his life.
The 'Happy' hitmaker believes females could "cripple" the human race if they all united and he wanted to create an LP that would honour empowered ladies everywhere.
He explained: "I instantly knew that the name of the album was called 'G I R L', and the reason why is because women and girls, for the most part, have just been so loyal to me and supported me.
"There is no breathing human being on this planet that did not benefit by a woman saying yes twice. Yes to make you, and yes to have you. Point-blank."
The 40-year-old musician further emphasised his homage to women on the album, revealing that gender is one of the main themes across his new songs.
He said: "If women wanted to cripple the economy, all they gotta do is not go to work ... if they wanted to end our species, cripple our species - seriously! Like, women can look out into space at all the stars and go, 'You know what? I can actually end all the human life on this planet right now. All I gotta do is just say no.'
"There's a huge value placed on that - on something so simple like if all our talk-show hosts late at night all were women, that's a very different world."

Lupita Nyong'o looked effortlessly stylish in a white crop top and pencil skirt at the Essence Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Selena Gomez showed off her décolletage in a pink bustier jumpsuit featuring a floral appliqué design at the Unite4 good Humanity Event in Los Angeles.

Kim Kardashian dressed to impress when invited to the Vienna Ball in Austria. The 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' star opted for a gold satin floor length skirt and a sheer bodice top.

Naomie Harris vamped up her look in a fitted leather dress with a plunging neckline at the Eco Fashion Campaign Red Carpet Green Dress event in Los Angeles.

Eva Longoria showed of her petite figure in a fitted pink dress at the Unite4:humanity event in Los Angeles. The actress cinched in her waist with a matching belt.

Demi Lovato spiced things up in a sexy leather dress at the Unite4:humanity event in Los Angeles. The singer styled her hair into an updo and wore diamond drop earrings.

Alicia Keys looked chic in a black evening gown at the Unite4:humanity event in Los Angeles. The 'Girl On Fire' singer pulled her hair into an updo and accessorised with a gold clutch bag.