Marj Dusay
| Marj Dusay | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Marjorie Ellen Pivonka Mahoney February 20, 1936 Russell, Kansas |
Marj Dusay (/mɑrdʒ duːˈseɪ/; born Marjorie Ellen Pivonka Mahoney on February 20, 1936 in Russell, Kansas)[1] is an American 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 played on and off, from 1993 through the show's 2009 cancellation.
Career
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 three times 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. Dusay appeared on Daniel Boone in its 1969 episode "Benvenuto... Who?" as a beautiful French diamond robber named Eugenie.
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. In 1982, she appeared as Kate Hanrahan, a madam/con artist, in a few episodes of the television series Bret Maverick starring James Garner.
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 contract due to budget cuts. The show later asked her to remain with the show on recurring status. CBS announced that Guiding Light was being cancelled on April 1, 2009, with the last show set to air in September. Dusay appeared in Guiding Light's final episode, which aired on September 18, 2009.
Partial filmography
- Guiding Light as Alexandra Spaulding #2 (1993-1997, 1998-1999, 2002–2009)
- 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)
- Sweet November as Carol (1968)
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 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 The Facts of Life.
References
- ↑ "Biography of Marj Dusay". Marj Dusay. 2009. Retrieved 2010-11-23.
External links
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