Marsha Mason facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marsha Mason
Mason in 2018
Born	St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, director
Years active	1966–present
Spouse(s)	Gary Campbell ​ ​ (m. 1965; div. 1970)​ Neil Simon ​ ​ (m. 1973; div. 1983)​

Marsha Mason is an American actress and director. She is famous for her many roles in movies, TV shows, and plays. She was nominated four times for the Academy Award (also known as the Oscars) for Best Actress. She also won two Golden Globe Awards. Marsha Mason was married to the famous writer Neil Simon, who wrote many of the movies she starred in.

Mason's first film was Hot Rod Hullabaloo in 1966. She also appeared in movies like Blume in Love (1973), Heartbreak Ridge (1986), and Drop Dead Fred (1991). On television, she was in the soap opera Love of Life (1971–72). She also received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her role on the TV show Frasier (1997–98).

Marsha Mason has also had a long career on stage. She first performed on Broadway in 1968 in the play Cactus Flower. She later starred in a play called The Prisoner of Second Avenue in London in 1999. She even received a Grammy nomination for a comedy recording in 2000.

More recently, Mason has appeared in TV shows like Madam Secretary (2015–16) and The Good Wife (2016). She also had regular roles on the ABC show The Middle (2010–2017) and the Netflix series Grace and Frankie (since 2016).

Early Life and Beginnings

Marsha Mason was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 3, 1942. Her parents were Jacqueline Helena and James Joseph Mason. She and her younger sister, Linda, grew up in Crestwood and were raised Catholic.

Mason went to Nerinx Hall High School and Webster University in Webster Groves. While she was at Webster, she performed in many different plays. She even raced cars in SCCA events!

Becoming a Star

Marsha Mason's career really took off in the 1970s. After the writer Neil Simon saw her in the 1973 film Blume in Love, he asked her to be in his Broadway play The Good Doctor. Soon after, Mason and Simon fell in love and got married.

In the same year, Mason starred with James Caan in the movie Cinderella Liberty. Her performance earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. In 1977, she starred in another hit film written by Neil Simon, The Goodbye Girl. This role brought her a second Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe Award.

Mason at the premiere of Seems Like Old Times (1980)

In 1979, Simon cast Mason in the movie Chapter Two. This film was based on their own relationship before they got married. It was another big success and earned her a third Oscar nomination. In 1981, Mason starred in Only When I Laugh, which was also written by Simon. She received her fourth Oscar nomination for this role.

Later Career in Film and TV

Mason continued to work in movies, including Max Dugan Returns (1983), also written by Neil Simon. She also co-starred with Clint Eastwood in the 1986 film Heartbreak Ridge. In 1990, she had a supporting role in Stella, starring Bette Midler.

On television, Mason had guest roles on popular shows like Seinfeld and Army Wives. From 1991 to 1992, she starred in her own TV series called Sibs. She also had a recurring role on Frasier from 1997 to 1998, playing Martin Crane's lively girlfriend, Sherry Dempsey. This role earned her an Emmy nomination.

From 2010 to 2018, Mason played Patricia Heaton's mother in the ABC comedy series The Middle. She also appeared in "Grace & Frankie", "Madam Secretary", and "The Good Wife".

Stage Work and Directing

Marsha Mason has a very active career in theater. She has performed in many plays on Broadway and in other cities. Some of her stage roles include The Night of the Iguana (1996) and Steel Magnolias (2005).

Mason in 2010

She also started directing plays. She has directed Neil Simon's Chapter Two and Steel Magnolias. She also directed the first female version of An Act of God. In 2022, she starred in and co-directed Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers.

Marsha Mason has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame to honor her achievements. She has also taught acting at HB Studio in New York City.

Personal Life

Marsha Mason was married to actor Gary Campbell from 1965 to 1970. Her second marriage was to playwright Neil Simon, from 1973 until they divorced in 1983.

Mason used to live on a farm in Abiquiu, New Mexico, where she grew organic herbs. She even created her own line of wellness products. Now, she lives in Litchfield County, Connecticut. Mason has visited Eastern countries like India for many years and has practiced Transcendental Meditation since 1970.

Awards and Nominations

Marsha Mason has received many awards and nominations throughout her career.

Images for kids

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  Mason in 2018

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  Mason at the premiere of Seems Like Old Times (1980)

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  Mason in 2010

See also

In Spanish: Marsha Mason para niños