Marj Dusay

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Marj Dusay (born Marjorie Ellen Pivonka Mahoney on February 20, 1936 in Hays, Kansas) is an actress known for her roles on American soap operas. She is especially known for her role as "Alexandra Spaulding" on Guiding Light, a role she has played on and off since 1993.

She also played "Vanessa Bennett Cortlandt" on All My Children from 1999 to 2002 and "Myrna Clegg" on Capitol from 1983 to 1987. In 1993, she filled in for Louise Sorel as "Vivian Alamain" on Days of Our Lives while Sorel was on leave.

She started her career with a small role as a waitress alongside Elvis Presley in the film "Clambake" in 1967.

Dusay made numerous guest appearances on popular television shows in the late 1960s and 1970s. She played alien "Kara" in "Spock's Brain," the first third-season episode of Star Trek The Original Series. This episode was written in haste and its outlandish plotline involving the theft of Spock's brain has made it a popular target of derision by Star Trek fans. Dusay herself has stated in interviews - not without a smile - that after seeing the episode many years later she couldn't believe that she had accepted the role. Leonard Nimoy mentions this particular episode in his book I Am Spock as "Star Trek losing its brain." The book also features a photograph of the actors in character. Despite the perceived shortcomings of "Spock's Brain," Dusay has taken the role in stride and is a popular guest at Star Trek fan conventions, often appearing with personal friend and fellow Star Trek actor Michael Dante.

Dusay also guest-starred as Blair Warner's mother, Monica Warner, on the sitcom The Facts of Life.

Dusay received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 1995 for her work on Guiding Light and was nominated for a special fan award as "America's Favorite Villain" for her performance on All My Children.

In late May 2005, Dusay announced she would leave Guiding Light when her contract expires in September. She later changed her mind and agreed to remain with the show for the foreseeable future, albeit on recurring status.

She currently lives part time in La Quinta, California.

[edit] Television Filmography

All My Children as Vanessa Bennett Hayward Cortlandt (1999-2002)
Guiding Light as Alexandra Spaulding #2 (1993-1997, 1998-1999, 2002-2005; 2005-present in a recurring basis)
Days of Our Lives as Vivian Alamain (1993) (temporary replacement)
- Replaced Louise Sorel while she was away
Santa Barbara as Pamela Capwell Conrad (1987-1988, 1991)
Dallas as Bernice Billings (29 March 1985)
Capitol as Myrna Clegg (1983-1987)
The Facts of Life as Monica Warner (1981-1987) (recurring)
Stop Susan Williams! as Jennifer Selden (1979)

[edit] Award Nominations

Daytime Emmy Awards

(2002) Special Fan Award America's Favorite Villain for playing Vanessa Cortlandt on All My Children"

(1995) Daytime Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for The Guiding Light

Soap Opera Digest Awards

(1995) Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Villainess for Guiding Light
(1988) Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role: Daytime for Capitol
(1986) Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role on a Daytime Serial for Capitol

Dusay's official website claims she received two Emmy nominations for playing Monica Warner on Facts of Life but a search of the Emmy Awards database cannot prove this.