Cady McClain
Encyclopedia
Cady McClain is an American actress, singer, and author.
Among her early credits was a recurring role on St. Elsewhere, and an appearance on Cheers
, as Coach's niece Joyce. McClain first appeared in film at the age of 13, opposite Peter O'Toole
in My Favorite Year (1982).
Cady plays Claire Poe, a psychiatrist, mother and wife in the film Home Movie
, the story of a family's descent into darkness. In a "Blair Witch" style mockumentary we follow the Poe children's violent tendencies and their parents effort to help them.
on All My Children
(1988–1996, 1998–2002, 2005–2007, 2008, 2010, 2011) and her role on As the World Turns
as Rosanna Cabot Montgomery (2002–2005, 2007–2008, 2009, 2010).
McClain won her first Daytime Emmy in 1990 for "Outstanding Ingenue" on All My Children and in 2004, won her second Daytime Emmy Award
for her portrayal of Rosanna on As the World Turns.
After McClain's stint at As the World Turns concluded, rumors circulated about a return to All My Children. In December 2005, McClain made an appearance on the show, and her popular character returned full-time a few months later. In a surprising turn of events, the character of Dixie was killed off via poisoned pancakes on January 30, 2007, which caused a massive negative outcry from longtime fans and soap opera media. A front page headline on a Soap Opera Weekly
cover story quoted McClain as saying, "There was no negotiation."
McClain confirmed via a blog entry on her official site that she would return to her Emmy-winning role of Rosanna on As the World Turns
. McClain returned to the screen July 30, 2007, when her character woke up from a two-year coma. McClain left the show again and her last air date was January 28, 2008.
McClain returned to All My Children on May 2, 2008 as a ghostly Dixie to help guide Tad Martin
(the character's former lover and husband) to their daughter Kate. She departed the series on June 12, 2008.
On March 2, 2009, McClain confirmed on her blog that had agreed to return to As the World Turns
. Her return took place on May 20, 2009. However, she left the show again at the end of the year. She returned again for the shows final episodes.
McClain returned again to All My Children in March 2010 for a short stint as a ghostly Dixie to help son J.R. fight his battle with cancer. She again returned on April 20, 2010 to welcome Palmer Cortlandt
to heaven at the end of a tribute episode for James Mitchell
She is also an accomplished singer, and in 2006 released an album, Blue Glitter Fish.
On April 25th, 2011 Soaps in Depth and Soap Opera Digest magazines reported that McClain would be reprising her role as Dixie Cooney Martin before the September finale of All My Children.
, the blog, which allowed comments, has been locked and cannot be viewed. Podcasts of the blog are posted on the site.
, and was raised in Laguna Beach
. She attended high school at both Corona del Mar High
in Newport Beach
and University High School in Irvine
.
She is a painter, writes poetry, and plays Appalachian guitar. Her website displays artwork and collage
s that she has created.
Early career
McClain's professional acting career began in 1979 at the age of 10, when she was featured in a commercial for Band-Aid bandages.Among her early credits was a recurring role on St. Elsewhere, and an appearance on Cheers
Cheers
Cheers is an American situation comedy television series that ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. It was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television for NBC, and was created by the team of James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles...
, as Coach's niece Joyce. McClain first appeared in film at the age of 13, opposite Peter O'Toole
Peter O'Toole
Peter Seamus Lorcan O'Toole is an Irish actor of stage and screen. O'Toole achieved stardom in 1962 playing T. E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia, and then went on to become a highly-honoured film and stage actor. He has been nominated for eight Academy Awards, and holds the record for most...
in My Favorite Year (1982).
Film
According to McClain's biography on her official website, she has appeared in a number of theater productions, as well as several appearances in independent film over the last few years, including the movies Alma Mater, Retreat, and Soldier's Heart.Cady plays Claire Poe, a psychiatrist, mother and wife in the film Home Movie
Home Movie (2008 film)
Home Movie is a 2008 horror film and is the directorial debut of actor Christopher Denham.The film received favorable reviews at Montreal’s 2008 Fantasia Film Festival. Following the final screening, bids were made on the film and IFC Enterainment acquired the U.S. rights for IFC's Festival Direct...
, the story of a family's descent into darkness. In a "Blair Witch" style mockumentary we follow the Poe children's violent tendencies and their parents effort to help them.
Daytime television
McClain is best known for two high-profile roles she has had on daytime television: the role of Dixie Cooney MartinDixie Cooney Martin
Dixie Cooney Martin is a fictional character from the American daytime drama All My Children. The character's run lasted from July 1988 to June 1996, again from July 3, 1998 to February 26, 2002, from December 23, 2005 to January 31, 2007 with appearances from May to June 2008 and April 2010 before...
on All My Children
All My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
(1988–1996, 1998–2002, 2005–2007, 2008, 2010, 2011) and her role on As the World Turns
As the World Turns
As the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
as Rosanna Cabot Montgomery (2002–2005, 2007–2008, 2009, 2010).
McClain won her first Daytime Emmy in 1990 for "Outstanding Ingenue" on All My Children and in 2004, won her second Daytime Emmy Award
Daytime Emmy Award
The Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
for her portrayal of Rosanna on As the World Turns.
After McClain's stint at As the World Turns concluded, rumors circulated about a return to All My Children. In December 2005, McClain made an appearance on the show, and her popular character returned full-time a few months later. In a surprising turn of events, the character of Dixie was killed off via poisoned pancakes on January 30, 2007, which caused a massive negative outcry from longtime fans and soap opera media. A front page headline on a Soap Opera Weekly
Soap Opera Weekly
Soap Opera Weekly is a weekly magazine covering American daytime soap operas. It features onscreen and offscreen news about the series, interviews with and articles about performers, storyline summaries and analysis, and related promotional information...
cover story quoted McClain as saying, "There was no negotiation."
McClain confirmed via a blog entry on her official site that she would return to her Emmy-winning role of Rosanna on As the World Turns
As the World Turns
As the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
. McClain returned to the screen July 30, 2007, when her character woke up from a two-year coma. McClain left the show again and her last air date was January 28, 2008.
McClain returned to All My Children on May 2, 2008 as a ghostly Dixie to help guide Tad Martin
Tad Martin
Thaddeus James "Tad" Martin is a fictional character from the American daytime drama All My Children. Tad is portrayed by actor Michael E. Knight. Knight has portrayed the role on and off from 1982 until the series finale in 2011. Tad represents the good on the show All My Children, often butting...
(the character's former lover and husband) to their daughter Kate. She departed the series on June 12, 2008.
On March 2, 2009, McClain confirmed on her blog that had agreed to return to As the World Turns
As the World Turns
As the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
. Her return took place on May 20, 2009. However, she left the show again at the end of the year. She returned again for the shows final episodes.
McClain returned again to All My Children in March 2010 for a short stint as a ghostly Dixie to help son J.R. fight his battle with cancer. She again returned on April 20, 2010 to welcome Palmer Cortlandt
Palmer Cortlandt
Palmer Cortlandt is a fictional character on the long-running ABC soap opera All My Children, played by James Mitchell from 1979 to 2010. A major character until 1982, when health issues forced him to reduce his work load, Mitchell continued to appear regularly on the show until May 2007 when he...
to heaven at the end of a tribute episode for James Mitchell
James Mitchell
-Arts, entertainment, and sports :*James Mitchell , American actor who played Palmer Cortlandt on All My Children*James Mitchell , American athlete who competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics...
She is also an accomplished singer, and in 2006 released an album, Blue Glitter Fish.
On April 25th, 2011 Soaps in Depth and Soap Opera Digest magazines reported that McClain would be reprising her role as Dixie Cooney Martin before the September finale of All My Children.
Blog
McClain has maintained a personal and professional blog and also maintained a blog on the ABC website entitled "Confessions of a Mad Soap Star". Since her termination from All My ChildrenAll My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
, the blog, which allowed comments, has been locked and cannot be viewed. Podcasts of the blog are posted on the site.
Personal life
McClain was born in Burbank, CaliforniaBurbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
, and was raised in Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach, California
Laguna Beach is a seaside resort city and artist community located in southern Orange County, California, United States, approximately southwest of the county seat of Santa Ana...
. She attended high school at both Corona del Mar High
Corona del Mar High School
Corona del Mar High School is a school located in the East Bluff neighborhood of Newport Beach, California, and belongs to the Newport Mesa Unified School District...
in Newport Beach
Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, south of downtown Santa Ana. The population was 85,186 at the 2010 census.The city's median family income and property values consistently place high in national rankings...
and University High School in Irvine
Irvine, California
Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
.
She is a painter, writes poetry, and plays Appalachian guitar. Her website displays artwork and collage
Collage
A collage is a work of formal art, primarily in the visual arts, made from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole....
s that she has created.