Marilyn Chris Explained

Marilyn Chris
Birth Name:Marilyn Miller
Birth Place:Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Othername:Marilyn Chris-Wallace,
Occupation:Actress
Yearsactive:1960–present
Children:1

Marilyn Chris (born Marilyn Miller,[1] 1938 or 1939[2]) is an American actress. She is known for playing the role of Wanda Webb Wolek on the ABC soap opera, One Life to Live (1972–1976, 1980–1994). She starred Off-Broadway in Allen Ginsberg's Kaddish (1972), winning an Obie Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Variety Critics Poll, and a Drama Desk Award for her performance. In the 1980s, she appeared on Broadway in Brighton Beach Memoirs.

Early life

Chris was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Jack Miller, an English-Scottish Mennonite and Sylvia Slavin, a Russian Jew.[3] When she was growing up, her father walked out on the family and her grandfather, who she was close with, died.[4]

She attended Junior High School 109 in Brooklyn. One of her classmates was Steve Lawrence (when he was still known as Sidney Liebowitz). Chris was then accepted at the High School of Performing Arts. After high school, she enrolled at City College of New York.[5]

Career

On February 23, 1958, the New York Daily News chose Chris as that week's "Typical American Girl." Her photo appeared in the Sunday magazine section and she won a $25 prize. She began her acting career in the 1950s at The Living Theatre.[6] She appeared in productions for the theatre, including Many Loves, Women of Trachis, In the Jungle of Cities, The Apple, and Man is Man.[7] Prompted by the discovery that her birth name was already registered with Actors Equity, Miller devised a stage name simply by shortening her then-married name, Christopoulos.[1]

In 1963, she appeared in The Good Soldier Schweik for the Chelsea Theater Center. She made her film debut in Love with the Proper Stranger (1963), co-starring with Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen.[8] In 1965, Chris was an under study for the roles of Agnes Graham and Sylvia Goldman in the original Broadway production of The Family Way. In 1967, she was a stand by for the roles of Lulu and Meg in The Birthday Party on Broadway. In 1968, she was a stand by for the title role in a Broadway production of The Seven Descents of Myrtle.[9]

Chris appeared in the romantic drama film John and Mary (1969), co-starring with Dustin Hoffman.[10] In 1970, she guest starred on Hawaii Five-O.[11] The same year, she played Myrtle Young in the crime film The Honeymoon Killers.[12] She also had a role in the drama film The People Next Door.[13] Chris appeared on Broadway in Lenny.

In 1972, Chris briefly played the role of Edie Hoffman on the ABC soap opera All My Children.[14] She was cast as Naomi, the paranoid mother of Allen Ginsberg in Kaddish. The play opened at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in February 1972.[15] Chris won an Obie Award for her performance.[16] She also won a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Variety Critics Poll.[17]

In May 1972, she was cast in the contract role of Wanda Webb on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live.[18] The character opened a restaurant called Heavenly Hash in the fictional city of Llanview. Her true love was Vince Wolek (Antony Ponzini).[19]

Chris played Mrs. Bingham in the comedy film Rhinoceros (1974), co-starring with Gene Wilder.[20] In July 1974, she co-starred with Lee Wallace in the musical Laugh a Little, Cry a Little at the Westbury Music Fair.[21] She played Faye Stone in the television film Strike Force (1975), co-starring with Richard Gere.[22] In 1976, Chris left her role on One Life to Live.

She starred as Rose Lander in the film Looking Up (1977).[23] Chris guest starred on Rafferty and Barney Miller.[24] She played Harriet in the television film Some Kind of Miracle (1979).[25] The same year, she appeared in the television miniseries Backstairs at the White House.[26] She made guest appearances on Family and Kaz.

Chris played Mavis Skinner in the comedy film The Black Marble (1980).[27] The same year, she also appeared in the romantic comedy film Loving Couples.[28] She had a role in the television film The Secret War of Jackie's Girls.[29] In 1980, Chris returned to the role of Wanda on One Life to Live. She appeared in the television film Kent State (1981).

In the early 1980s, Chris returned to Broadway, playing Kate Jerome in Brighton Beach Memoirs.[30] [31] [32] She co-starred with her husband, Lee Wallace, in the television film A Doctor's Story (1984).[33] She guest starred on Fame in 1986. Chris appeared in the film (also titled Histoires d'Amerique) (1989).[34] In 1990, she co-starred with Lee Wallace in Taking Stock for the Jewish Repertory Theatre.

In March and April 1992, Chris appeared in Barefoot in the Park at the Valley Forge Music Fair. She co-starred with Bernard Barrow, Cady McClain, and Walt Willey.[35] In October 1992, she co-starred with Lee Wallace in God of Vengeance for the Jewish Repertory Theatre.[36] Soap Opera Digest reported in January 1994 that Chris would be leaving her role on One Life to Live. Her final air date was February 7, 1994.[37]

In the 1990s, she made guest appearances on Law & Order. She also guest starred on New York News. Chris played Josie Basilio in Trees Lounge (1996). She co-starred with Steve Buscemi, who also wrote and directed the film.[38] In 1997, she appeared in the television film .[39] The same year, she also had a role in the film The Deli.[40] In May 1997, Chris played Faye in The Young Girl and the Monsoon at Playwrights Horizons.[41]

Chris guest starred on Third Watch in 1999. She guest starred on Deadline and Oz in the early 2000s. She played Phyllis in The Great New Wonderful (2005), a comedy film about New Yorkers living in the city after the September 11 attacks.[42] She appeared as Mrs. Chadwick in the comedy film Waltzing Anna (2006).[43] Chris guest starred on and .

In March 2010, she appeared in Sin at the Baruch Performing Arts Center's Rose Nagelberg Theatre. The play closed abruptly due to lack of funds.[44] [45] She played Elizabeth Robbins in the suspense film Altered Minds (2013).[46] In July 2024, Chris played serial killer Nannie Doss in a solo reading of The Giggling Granny at the Southampton Cultural Center.[47]

Personal life

Chris has married three times, the first two ending in divorce: first, in 1957, to aspiring playwright George Christopoulos, with whom she had a son, Paul;[2] [1] [48] [3] next, on New Year's Eve 1967, to actor Ric Mancini;[49] [50] and finally—from December 14, 1975 until his death on December 20, 2020—to actor Lee Wallace.[51]

Filmography

Film

!Year!Title!Role!Notes
1963Love with the Proper StrangerGina
1969John and MaryThe Film Director's Wife
1970The Honeymoon KillersMyrtle Young
The People Next DoorDiscotheque Waitress
1974RhinocerosMrs. Bingham
1976Love in the HamptonsMotherVideo
1977Looking UpRose Lander
1980The Black MarbleMavis Skinner
Loving CouplesSally
1989
1996Trees LoungeJosie Basilio
1997The DeliRosieCredited as Marilyn Cris
2000The Bookie's LamentCarmelShort film
2005The Great New WonderfulPhyllis
LuckyRuthShort film
2006Waltzing AnnaMrs. Chadwick
2009Comfortable DistanceHelenShort film
2013Altered MindsElizabeth Robbins

Television

!Year!Title!Role!Notes
1968N.Y.P.D.Mrs. Baxter; The Second GirlEpisodes: "Last Port of Call," "The Love Hustle"
1970Hawaii Five-ODorothy OwensEpisode: "Paniolo"
1971Dan AugustWaitressEpisode: "The Worst Crime"
1972All My ChildrenEdie Hoffman
1972–1976, 1980–1994One Life to LiveWanda Webb WolekContract role
1975Strike ForceFaye StoneTelevision film
1977RaffertyCallieEpisode: "The Wild Child"
1978Barney MillerRuth WhittneyEpisode: "The Harris Incident"
1979Some Kind of MiracleHarrietTelevision film
FamilyMiss GreyEpisode: "Moment of Truth"
KazEpisode: "The Stalking Man"
Backstairs at the White HouseDiane ClareTelevision miniseries, 1 episode
1980The Secret War of Jackie's GirlsMabelTelevision film
1981Kent StateMrs. ScheuerTelevision film
1984A Doctor's StoryAnne WickesTelevision film
1986FameSylviaEpisode: "A Different Drummer"
1994; 1995; 1998Law & OrderMary Perella; Mrs. Capetti; Gayatri DeviEpisodes: "White Rabbit," "Bitter Fruit," "DWB"
1995New York NewsEpisode: "Past Imperfect"
1997Rae TorreTelevision film
1999Third WatchRenaEpisode: "Modern Designs for Better Living"
2001DeadlineRona FriedmanEpisode: "The First Commandment"
2003OzOppenheimerEpisode: "Exeunt Omnes"
2006Dora HovisEpisode: "Cage"
2009Episode: "Family Values"

Awards and nominations

!Year!Award!Category!Title!Result!Ref.
1972Obie AwardDistinguished PerformanceKaddish
Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Actress in a PlayKaddish
Drama Desk AwardOutstanding PerformanceKaddish
Variety Critics PollKaddish

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Hurst, Louise. (June 29, 1964). "How to Succeed in Acting and Making Home for Son". The Cincinnati Enquirer.
  2. https://www.newspapers.com/image/392305795/?clipping_id=138564223 "Here's another weekly winner in our search for THE TYPICAL AMERICAN GIRL"
  3. Nabakov, Peter (August 20, 1967). "Chris Versatile Actress With Myriad Faces". The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. 38. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  4. Bonderoff . Jason . October 13, 1992 . The Wanda Years . . 17 . 21 . 114-116.
  5. Book: Soares . Manuela . The Soap opera book: who's who in daytime drama . 1992 . Todd Publications . 56 . 9780915344239 . February 6, 2019 . en.
  6. Book: Tytell . John . The Living Theatre: Art, Exile, and Outrage . 1997 . 308 . Grove Press . 9780802134868 . February 6, 2019 . en.
  7. Web site: Living Theatre: Production & Ensembles . https://web.archive.org/web/20240803234226/https://www.livingtheatre.org/ensemble . August 3, 2024 . October 5, 2024 . livingtheatre.org.
  8. Web site: Love with the Proper Stranger . https://web.archive.org/web/20240927090109/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/4690/love-with-the-proper-stranger#credits . September 27, 2024 . October 5, 2024 . Turner Classic Movies.
  9. Web site: Marilyn Chris . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219145322/https://playbill.com/person/marilyn-chris-vault-0000063365 . December 19, 2023 . October 6, 2024 . Playbill.
  10. Web site: John and Mary . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131135527/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79813/john-and-mary#credits . January 31, 2023 . October 5, 2024 . Turner Classic Movies.
  11. Web site: Credits: Marilyn Chris . https://web.archive.org/web/20241005223006/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/marilyn-chris/credits/3000420499/ . October 5, 2024 . October 5, 2024 . TV Guide.
  12. Web site: The Honeymoon Killers . https://web.archive.org/web/20230929025123/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/78307/the-honeymoon-killers#credits . September 29, 2023 . October 5, 2024 . Turner Classic Movies.
  13. Web site: The People Next Door - Full Cast & Crew . https://web.archive.org/web/20241005224433/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-people-next-door/cast/2030125549/ . October 5, 2024 . October 5, 2024 . TV Guide.
  14. Web site: Marilyn Chris . https://web.archive.org/web/20241005215033/https://primarystagesoffcenter.org/interviews/a-e/marilyn-chris.html . October 5, 2024 . October 5, 2024 . primarystagesoffcenter.org.
  15. Web site: Barnes . Clive . February 11, 1972 . Glenn Weitzman and Marilyn Chris . https://web.archive.org/web/20241005225525/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/02/11/archives/the-theater-kaddish-play-on-ginsberg-poem-opens-at-the-chelsea.html . October 5, 2024 . October 5, 2024 . The New York Times.
  16. Web site: 1972 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240526013411/https://www.obieawards.com/events/1970s/year-72/ . May 26, 2024 . October 5, 2024 . obieawards.com.
  17. News: Daytime doings on ABC . February 6, 2019 . McKinney Courier-Gazette . November 5, 1972 . en.
  18. Web site: July 14, 2009 . One Life to Live Where Are They Now: Marilyn Chris! . https://web.archive.org/web/20190426200704/https://soaps.sheknows.com/one-life-to-live/news/4822/one-life-to-live-where-are-they-now-marilyn-chris/ . April 26, 2019 . February 7, 2019 . Soaps.com.
  19. Web site: Waldo . Garren . May 2, 2020 . What Ever Happened to One Life to Live's Wonderful Wanda Webb Wolek? . https://web.archive.org/web/20240424125336/https://soaphub.com/general-hospital/what-ever-happened-to-one-life-to-lives-wonderful-wanda-webb-wolek/ . April 24, 2024 . October 6, 2024 . Soap Hub.
  20. Web site: Rhinoceros - Full Cast & Crew . https://web.archive.org/web/20241006173754/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/rhinoceros/cast/2030121763/ . October 6, 2024 . October 6, 2024 . TV Guide.
  21. Web site: Calta . Louis . July 21, 1974 . News of the Stage . https://web.archive.org/web/20241006174520/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/21/archives/news-of-the-stage-black-jazz-singer-set-for-broadway.html . October 6, 2024 . October 6, 2024 . The New York Times.
  22. Web site: Strike Force . https://web.archive.org/web/20210115154712/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/22084/strike-force#credits . January 15, 2021 . October 6, 2024 . Turner Classic Movies.
  23. Web site: Looking Up . https://web.archive.org/web/20210120174446/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/81802/looking-up#overview . January 20, 2021 . October 6, 2024 . Turner Classic Movies.
  24. Web site: Chris, Marilyn 1938- . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118233602/https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/chris-marilyn-1938 . January 18, 2024 . October 6, 2024 . encyclopedia.com.
  25. Web site: Some Kind of Miracle . https://web.archive.org/web/20230209064600/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/21768/some-kind-of-miracle#credits . February 9, 2023 . October 6, 2024 . Turner Classic Movies.
  26. Web site: Backstairs at the White House . https://web.archive.org/web/20201017152648/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/457502/backstairs-at-the-white-house#credits . October 17, 2020 . October 6, 2024 . Turner Classic Movies.
  27. Web site: The Black Marble - Full Cast & Crew . https://web.archive.org/web/20210126062127/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-black-marble/cast/2000117791/ . January 26, 2021 . October 6, 2024 . TV Guide.
  28. Web site: Loving Couples . https://web.archive.org/web/20201026230518/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/82113/loving-couples#credits . October 26, 2020 . October 6, 2024 . Turner Classic Movies.
  29. Web site: The Secret War of Jackie's Girls . https://web.archive.org/web/20221127083142/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/414730/the-secret-war-of-jackies-girls/#credits . November 27, 2022 . October 6, 2024 . Turner Classic Movies.
  30. Web site: Brighton Beach Memoirs . https://web.archive.org/web/20240528052017/https://playbill.com/production/brighton-beach-memoirs-alvin-theatre-vault-0000000871 . May 28, 2024 . October 7, 2024 . Playbill.
  31. News: Veteran Actors Perform in "Awake and Sing" . https://archive.today/20190207002429/https://www.genealogybank.com/nb-osd-toolbar/file-download/Centre_Daily_Times_1975-08-07_5?setup=http://172.25.5.5:10009/SiteLinks/imageviewer/image/html/index.html%3Frem=nb_osd_toolbar%26image=fullsize%26url=image/v2:142D36C8F9756D64@GB3NEWS-14D1110EB4560366@2442632-14D10816F6BB00DD@4-14D10816F6BB00DD%26xywh_relative=155%7C4522%7C1632%7C3163 . dead . 7 February 2019 . February 7, 2019 . Centre Daily Times . August 7, 1975 . 5.
  32. News: Byrnes . Eileen . Simon's 'Brighton Beach Memoirs' is a classic comedy hit . February 7, 2019 . The Evening News . April 3, 1984 . 7A.
  33. Web site: A Doctor's Story . https://web.archive.org/web/20210115145700/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/460084/a-doctors-story#credits . January 15, 2021 . October 7, 2024 . Turner Classic Movies.
  34. Web site: Histoires d'Amerique . https://web.archive.org/web/20211229070532/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/501830/histoires-damerique/#credits . December 29, 2021 . October 7, 2024 . Turner Classic Movies.
  35. Web site: January 19, 1992 . Valley Forge Music Fair Plans Broadway Series . https://web.archive.org/web/20241007174813/https://www.mcall.com/1992/01/19/valley-forge-music-fair-plans-broadway-series/ . October 7, 2024 . October 7, 2024 . The Morning Call.
  36. Web site: Schiff . Ellen . October 18, 1992 . Theater; A Play With a History, Both Dramatic and Legal . https://web.archive.org/web/20240619000909/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/18/archives/theater-a-play-with-a-history-both-dramatic-and-legal.html . June 19, 2024 . October 7, 2024 . The New York Times.
  37. January 18, 1994 . Comings & Goings . . 19 . 2 . 15.
  38. Web site: Trees Lounge - Full Cast & Crew . https://web.archive.org/web/20241007195900/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/trees-lounge/cast/2030053658/ . October 7, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . TV Guide.
  39. Web site: Evans . Greg . October 17, 1997 . Joe Torre: Curveballs Along the Way . https://web.archive.org/web/20240520024334/https://variety.com/1997/tv/reviews/joe-torre-curveballs-along-the-way-1200451489/ . May 20, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . Variety.
  40. Web site: The Deli . https://web.archive.org/web/20230924172317/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/442979/the-deli/#credits . September 24, 2023 . October 8, 2024 . Turner Classic Movies.
  41. Web site: Waxman . Howard . May 11, 1997 . The Young Girl and the Monsoon . https://web.archive.org/web/20241008175953/https://variety.com/1997/legit/reviews/the-young-girl-and-the-monsoon-1117341506/ . October 8, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . Variety.
  42. Web site: The Great New Wonderful - Full Cast & Crew . https://web.archive.org/web/20241007200650/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-great-new-wonderful/cast/2030145168/ . October 7, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . TV Guide.
  43. Web site: Waltzing Anna - Full Cast & Crew . https://web.archive.org/web/20241008172420/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/waltzing-anna/cast/2000122657/ . October 8, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . TV Guide.
  44. Web site: Gans . Andrew . March 17, 2010 . Altman's Sin Opens at Baruch Performing Arts Center March 17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241008180620/https://playbill.com/article/altmans-sin-opens-at-baruch-performing-arts-center-march-17-com-166799 . October 8, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . Playbill.
  45. Web site: Gans . Andrew . March 24, 2010 . Exclusive: Altman's Sin Closes Abruptly Off-Broadway . https://web.archive.org/web/20210928192855/https://www.playbill.com/article/exclusive-altmans-sin-closes-abruptly-off-broadway-com-167086 . September 28, 2021 . October 8, 2024 . Playbill.
  46. Web site: Altered Minds - Full Cast & Crew . https://web.archive.org/web/20241008175415/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/altered-minds/cast/2000198921/ . October 8, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . TV Guide.
  47. Web site: Segal . Mark . July 3, 2024 . Bits and Pieces 07.04.24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241008182604/https://www.easthamptonstar.com/arts/202473/bits-and-pieces-070424 . October 8, 2024 . October 8, 2024 . The East Hampton Star.
  48. "New York, New York City Marriage Licenses Index, 1950-1995,", FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLSR-V5BY : 19 June 2017), George Christopoulos and Marilyn Miller, 1957, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States;Marriage, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States, from Reclaim the Records, The NYC Marriage Index (http://www.nycmarriageindex.com : 2016); citing New York City Clerk's Office.
  49. Newton, Jim (May 19, 1968). "Two Summer Drama Groups List Stars; City Artists Do Well in State Show". Albuquerque Journal. p. 26. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  50. Hirsch, Linda (October 28, 1977). "Daytime Dial: Jennifer Still Around". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 9D. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  51. McPhee, Ryan (December 28, 2020). "Stage and Screen Actor Lee Wallace Dead at 90". Playbill. Retrieved January 12, 2024.

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