Marian Seldes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marian Seldes
Seldes in Ondine (1954)
Born	Marian Hall Seldes (1928-08-23)August 23, 1928 New York City, U.S.
Died	October 6, 2014(2014-10-06) (aged 86) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Spouse(s)	Julian Claman ​ ​ (m. 1953; div. 1961)​ Garson Kanin ​ ​ (m. 1990; died 1999)​
Children	1
Parent(s)	Gilbert Seldes (father)
Relatives	George Seldes (uncle)

Marian Hall Seldes (born August 23, 1928 – died October 6, 2014) was a talented American actress. She was nominated for the prestigious Tony Award five times. She won a Tony Award in 1967 for her role in the play A Delicate Balance.

Marian Seldes also received Tony nominations for other plays like Father's Day (1971), Deathtrap (1978–82), Ring Round the Moon (1999), and Dinner at Eight (2002). She also won a Drama Desk Award for Father's Day. She was recognized for her amazing work in theater by being added to the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1995. In 2010, she received a special Tony Award for her lifetime achievements in acting.

Early life and education

Marian Seldes was born in Manhattan, New York City. Her mother, Alice Wadhams Hall, and her father, Gilbert Seldes, created a very creative home. Her father was a journalist, author, and editor. Her uncle, George Seldes, was also a journalist. Marian had one brother named Timothy.

Marian grew up in a family that loved the arts. She studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse, a famous acting school. Her aunt, Marian Wells Hall, was a well-known interior decorator. This background helped Marian develop her passion for performing.

Acting career

Marian Seldes started her acting career on Broadway in 1948 in a play called Medea. This was the beginning of a long and successful career. She became famous for her strong performances on stage.

Broadway success

Marian was nominated for five Tony Awards, which are like the Oscars for theater. She won her first Tony Award in 1967 for her role in A Delicate Balance. She also appeared in many other popular Broadway shows, including Equus (1974–77) and Deuce (2007).

One of her most remarkable achievements was appearing in every single one of the 1,809 Broadway performances of the play Deathtrap. This incredible feat earned her a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records as the "most durable actress."

Work in television, film, and radio

Besides her stage work, Marian Seldes also acted in television shows starting in 1952. She appeared in many guest roles, including an episode of Murphy Brown in 1992. She also acted in several movies and performed in radio plays.

In the mid-1960s, Marian recorded five albums for Folkways Records. These recordings featured famous works of literature, including poetry. From 1974 to 1982, she was a regular on the CBS Radio Mystery Theater, appearing in 179 episodes.

In 2012, Marian Seldes played a character named Mabel Billingsly in the film Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life. This movie was based on a popular children's book by Wendy Mass.

Teaching and inspiration

Marian Seldes was not only an actress but also a dedicated teacher. She taught drama at The Juilliard School from 1967 to 1991. Many of her students became famous actors, including Robin Williams, Kelsey Grammer, Kevin Kline, and Patti LuPone.

In 2002, she began teaching at Fordham University in New York City. Her students looked up to her. Actress Laura Linney once said that Marian was an inspiration who made you want to reach for something greater.

Personal life

Marian Seldes had one daughter, Katharine, from her first marriage to Julian Claman. They were married from 1953 to 1961. Later, Marian married screenwriter and playwright Garson Kanin in 1990. They were together until his death in 1999.

Later years and passing

Marian Seldes passed away on October 6, 2014, in Manhattan, New York City. She was 86 years old. She lived a long life dedicated to the theater and acting. She once said about receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award, "All I've done is live my life in the theater and loved it ... If you can get an award for being happy, that's what I've got."

Selected works

Theatre

Television

George Nader and Seldes in The Further Adventures of Ellery Queen, 1959

• Our Sister Emily (TV movie): Played Emily Brontë (1950)
• Sure As Fate (TV showcase): Played Lady Macduff in Macbeth (1951)
• Westinghouse Studio One: Played Bell Giles in "The Laugh Maker" (1953)
• Gunsmoke: Played Mrs. Cullen in "Indian White" (1956)
• Have Gun – Will Travel: Played Christie Smith in "The Bride" (1957), and Mollie Stanton in "The Teacher" (1958)
• Perry Mason: Played Mary K. Davis in "The Case of the Screaming Woman" (1958)
• The Court of Last Resort: Played Roberta Farrell in "The Frank Clark Case" (1958), and Mary Morales in "The Mary Morales Case" (1958)
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Played Lydia Brailing in "Design For Loving" (1958)
• The Rifleman: Played two roles, Hazel and Margaret (1960)
• Branded: Played Neela, an Indian housekeeper, in "The Bar Sinister" (1965)
• Law & Order: Played Suzanne in "God Bless the Child" (1991)
• Murder, She Wrote: Played Lydia Winthrop in "The Witch's Curse" (1992)
• Murphy Brown: Played Murphy's Aunt Brooke in "I'm Dreaming of a Brown Christmas" (1992)
• Wings: Played Eleanor Kingsbury in "Death Becomes Him" (1995)
• One Life to Live: Played Dorian Lord's mother (1998)
• Cosby: Played Elaine in "One Foot in Your Mouth" (1996), and Virginia in "The Greatest Gift" (1998)
• Sex and the City: Guest-starred as Mr. Big's mother Mrs. Big in "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" (1998)
• A Nero Wolfe Mystery: Portrayed Mrs. Robilotti in "Champagne for One" (2001), and Mrs. Pitcairn in "Door to Death" (2001)
• Frasier: Played Betty, Ronee's mother (Wendie Malick), in "Miss Right Now" (2004)
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Played Peggy Kendall in "Haystack" (2007)

Films

Discography

• The Roan Stallion by Robinson Jeffers (1963)
• The Making of Americans by Gertrude Stein (1963)
• Theodore Bikel: "Songs of Songs" and other Bible Prophecies featuring Marian Seldes as Shulamite (1964)
• Tower Beyond Tragedy by Robinson Jeffers (1964)
• Phèdre by Jean Racine (1964)
• Prayers from the Ark: French and English Poems (1964)

Radio

• Theatre Guild on the Air: Played Julia in 1984 (1953)
• CBS Radio Mystery Theater (appeared in 206 episodes)

Awards and nominations

Awards

• 1964 Obie Award for Distinguished Performance: The Ginger Man
• 1967 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play: A Delicate Balance
• 1971 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Performance: Father's Day
• 1983 Outer Circle Critics Award for Best Actress in a Play: Painting Churches
• 2001 Obie Award for Sustained Achievement
• 2010 Tony Lifetime Achievement Award

Nominations

• 1971 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play: Father's Day
• 1978 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play: Deathtrap
• 1998 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Ivanov
• 1999 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Ring Round the Moon
• 1999 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play: Ring Round the Moon
• 2001 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: The Butterfly Collection
• 2001 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play: The Play About the Baby
• 2003 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play: Dinner at Eight
• 2006 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams

See also

In Spanish: Marian Seldes para niños