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 on All My Children from 1999 to 2002, "Pamela Pepperidge Capwell Conrad" on Santa Barbara in 1987–1988, 1991 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. In 1968, Dusay played a special agent in the TV series Hawaii Five-O in an episode titled "Twenty-Four Carat Kill", as well appearing twice as seductive temptresses on Hogan's Heroes.
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. 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. 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.
She starred as Jean MacArthur in the 1977 film MacArthur, and 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 was one of several cast members taken off cotract due to budget cuts. The show later asked her to remain with the show on recurring status.
[edit] Partial filmography
- Guiding Light as Alexandra Spaulding #2 (1993-1997, 1998-1999, 2002-2005; 2005-present in a recurring basis)
- All My Children as Vanessa Bennett Hayward Cortlandt (1999-2002)
- 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)
- MacArthur as Jean MacArthur (1977)
[edit] Award nominations
- (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 Guiding Light
- (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 was prenominated for an Emmy by the producers for playing Monica Warner on Facts of Life.
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Marj Dusay article at Memory Alpha, a Star Trek wiki
- Marj Dusay at the Internet Movie Database
