| Constance McCashin | |
| Birth Date: | 18 June 1947 |
| Birth Place: | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Children: | 2 |
| Yearsactive: | 1976–1999 |
Constance McCashin (born June 18, 1947) is an American psychotherapist and former actress, best known for her role as Laura Avery Sumner in the CBS prime time soap opera, Knots Landing.
McCashin was born in Chicago. She is best known for her role as Laura Avery Sumner on the prime time drama Knots Landing, which she played from the show's debut in 1979 until 1987 when the character died of a brain tumor and her funeral was the basis of the show's 200th episode.[1] McCashin's character was written-out of the show due to cost-cutting measures along with fellow actress Julie Harris.[2] McCashin explained to The Boston Globe in 2009 stating, "I was very hurt the way I was let go for financial reasons. I wish they'd handled my demise better".[3]
During her career, McCashin starred in a number of made for television movies. She appeared in several episodes of the CBS sitcom Brooklyn Bridge playing the role of Rosemary Monahan. She was a contestant on the Dick Clark-hosted $25,000 Pyramid and would later appear as a panelist on Super Password. She also competed with the CBS team during a 1984 edition of Battle of the Network Stars. She made her final screen appearance playing supporting role in the 1999 comedy film The Out-of-Towners.
McCashin appeared at the TV Land awards in April 2009 for the 30th anniversary celebration of Knots Landing. Other Knots Landing actors who appeared with her included Kevin Dobson, Lisa Hartman Black, Michele Lee, Donna Mills, Don Murray, Michelle Phillips, Ted Shackelford, and Joan Van Ark.
After her Hollywood career, McCashin became a social worker and therapist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and body image issues.
McCashin lives in West Newton, Massachusetts with her husband, producer Sam Weisman. They have two children: Marguerite Weisman, a former editor at Penguin[4] and HarperCollins who now works in business development and sales; and Daniel Weisman,[5] who as an infant played McCashin's character's baby on Knots Landing,[6] and is now a partner at AllianceBernstein[7] working in private wealth but worked as a music manager for 15 years, first at his own company Elitaste and then at Roc Nation, managing Capital Cities, Wale, Mike Posner, Tobe Nwigwe and Big Sean.[8]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | First Ladies Diaries: Edith Wilson | Altrude | Television film | |
| 1978 | Special Olympics | Trina Cunningham | Television film | |
| 1978 | The Many Loves of Arthur | Karen | Television film | |
| 1978 | Daddy, I Don't Like It Like This | Marge | Television film | |
| 1978 | Family | Ms. Massey | 1 episode | |
| 1978 | Who's Watching the Kids | Sybil | 1 episode | |
| 1979 | Married: The First Year | Cheryl Huffman | ||
| 1979 | The Two Worlds of Jennie Logan | Beverly | Television film | |
| 1983 | Hotel | Allison Brunell | 1 episode | |
| 1984 | Love Thy Neighbor | Sally Loeb | Television film | |
| 1984 | Obsessive Love | Jackie Stevens | Television film | |
| 1985 | Love on the Run | Elizabeth Nellison | Television film | |
| 1979-1987 | Knots Landing | Laura Avery Sumner | Series regular, 198 episodes TV Land Award - Anniversary Award (2009) Nominated - Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role on a Prime Time Serial (1986) | |
| 1988 | The Child Saver | Beverly McCumber | Television film | |
| 1988 | Family Ties | Evelyn Mitchum | 1 episode | |
| 1988 | Nightmare at Bittercreek | Connie Senia | Television film | |
| 1990 | Naked Tango | Flora | ||
| 1991-1993 | Brooklyn Bridge | Rosemary Monahan | 6 episodes | |
| 1994 | Shopkeeper | uncredited | ||
| 1995 | In the Heat of the Night | Pauline Given Ryan | 1 episode | |
| 1999 | The Out-of-Towners | Mrs. Wellstone |