Marj Dusay
Encyclopedia
Marj Dusay mɑrdʒ duːˈseɪ (born Marjorie Ellen Pivonka Mahoney on February 20, 1936 in Russell, Kansas
) is an actress known for her roles on American
soap opera
s. She is especially known for her role as "Alexandra Spaulding
" on Guiding Light
, a role she played on and off, from 1993 through the show's 2009 cancellation.
from 1999 to 2002, "Pamela Pepperidge Capwell Conrad
" on Santa Barbara
in 1987–1988, 1991 and "Myrna Clegg" on Capitol
from 1983 to 1987. In 1993, she filled in for Louise Sorel as "Vivian Alamain
" on Days of our Lives
while Sorel was on leave.
She started her career with a small role as a waitress alongside Elvis Presley
in the film Clambake
in 1967. In 1968, Dusay played a special agent in the TV series Hawaii Five-O
in an episode titled "Twenty-Four Carat Kill", as well appearing twice as seductive temptresses on Hogan's Heroes
.
Dusay made numerous guest appearances on popular television shows in the late 1960s and 1970s. She played alien "Kara" in "Spock's Brain", the first third-season episode of Star Trek
. This episode was written in haste and its outlandish plotline involving the theft of Spock's brain has made it a popular target of derision by Star Trek fans. Leonard Nimoy
mentions this particular episode in his book I Am Spock
as "Star Trek losing its brain". The book also features a photograph of the actors in character. Despite the perceived shortcomings of "Spock's Brain", Dusay has taken the role in stride and is a popular guest at Star Trek fan conventions, often appearing with personal friend and fellow Star Trek actor Michael Dante
.
She starred as Jean MacArthur
in the 1977 film MacArthur
, and guest-starred as Blair Warner's mother, Monica Warner, on the sitcom The Facts of Life
.
In 1982 she appeared as Kate Hanrahan, a madam/con artist, in a few episodes of the television series Bret Maverick
starring James Garner
.
Dusay received a Daytime Emmy Award
nomination in 1995 for her work on Guiding Light and was nominated for a special fan award as "America's Favorite Villain" for her performance on All My Children
.
In late May 2005, Dusay was one of several cast members taken off contract due to budget cuts. The show later asked her to remain with the show on recurring status.
CBS announced that Guiding Light was being cancelled on April 1, 2009, with the last show set to air in September. Dusay appeared in Guiding Light's final episode, which aired on September 18, 2009.
A Chronicle of Corpses (horror film) as Grandmother Elliot (2000)
Soap Opera Digest Awards
Marj Dusay Facebook Fan Club
http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=47576476355
Russell, Kansas
Russell is the most populous city in and county seat of Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 4,506.-History:...
) is an actress known for her roles on American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
s. She is especially known for her role as "Alexandra Spaulding
Alexandra Spaulding
Alexandra Spaulding is a fictional character on CBS's daytime drama Guiding Light. Beverlee McKinsey was the first actress to play the role, which she did from February 10, 1984 to August 1992...
" on Guiding Light
Guiding Light
Guiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009...
, a role she played on and off, from 1993 through the show's 2009 cancellation.
Career
She also played Vanessa Bennett on 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...
from 1999 to 2002, "Pamela Pepperidge Capwell Conrad
Pamela Capwell Conrad
Pamela Pepperidge Conrad was a fictional character on the American soap opera Santa Barbara. She was first portrayed by actress Shirley Anne Field from September 29 to December 25, 1987, and was then replaced by Marj Dusay, who portrayed the role from December 28, 1987, to July 11, 1988...
" on Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara (TV series)
Santa Barbara is an American television soap opera, first broadcast in the United States on NBC on July 30, 1984, and last aired on January 15, 1993. The show revolved around the eventful lives of the wealthy Capwell family of Santa Barbara, California...
in 1987–1988, 1991 and "Myrna Clegg" on Capitol
Capitol (TV series)
Capitol is an American soap opera which aired on CBS from March 29, 1982 to March 20, 1987 for 1,270 episodes. As its name suggests, the storyline usually revolved around the political intrigues of people whose lives intertwined in Washington D.C....
from 1983 to 1987. In 1993, she filled in for Louise Sorel as "Vivian Alamain
Vivian Alamain
Vivian Alamain is a fictional character on the NBC Soap Opera, Days of our Lives, head of the series' Alamain family. Created by writer Richard J. Allen, the role was originated in 1992 by actor Louise Sorel. In 2000, Sorel departed from the series and the role was not recast with another actress...
" on Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
while Sorel was on leave.
She started her career with a small role as a waitress alongside Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
in the film Clambake
Clambake
Clambake is a 1967 musical film starring Elvis Presley, and co-starring Shelley Fabares and Bill Bixby—the last of his four films for United Artists. The movie reached No. 15 on the national weekly box office charts.-Plot:...
in 1967. In 1968, Dusay played a special agent in the TV series Hawaii Five-O
Hawaii Five-O
Hawaii Five-O is an American police procedural drama series produced by CBS Productions and Leonard Freeman. Set in Hawaii, the show originally aired for twelve seasons from 1968 to 1980, and continues in reruns. The show featured a fictional state police unit run by Detective Steve McGarrett,...
in an episode titled "Twenty-Four Carat Kill", as well appearing twice as seductive temptresses on Hogan's Heroes
Hogan's Heroes
Hogan's Heroes is an American television sitcom that ran for 168 episodes from September 17, 1965, to March 28, 1971, on the CBS network. The show was set in a German prisoner of war camp during the Second World War. Bob Crane had the starring role as Colonel Robert E...
.
Dusay made numerous guest appearances on popular television shows in the late 1960s and 1970s. She played alien "Kara" in "Spock's Brain", the first third-season episode of Star Trek
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
. This episode was written in haste and its outlandish plotline involving the theft of Spock's brain has made it a popular target of derision by Star Trek fans. Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Simon Nimoy is an American actor, film director, poet, musician and photographer. Nimoy's most famous role is that of Spock in the original Star Trek series , multiple films, television and video game sequels....
mentions this particular episode in his book I Am Spock
I Am Spock
I Am Spock is the second volume of actor and director Leonard Nimoy's autobiography. The book was published in 1995, four years after the release of the last Star Trek motion picture starring the entire original cast, and covers the majority of Nimoy's time with Star Trek in general and Mr. Spock...
as "Star Trek losing its brain". The book also features a photograph of the actors in character. Despite the perceived shortcomings of "Spock's Brain", Dusay has taken the role in stride and is a popular guest at Star Trek fan conventions, often appearing with personal friend and fellow Star Trek actor Michael Dante
Michael Dante
Michael Dante is an American award winning actor of television, films and stage and a former professional minor league baseball player....
.
She starred as Jean MacArthur
Jean MacArthur
Jean Marie Faircloth MacArthur was the second wife of U.S. Army General of the Army Douglas MacArthur.- Early life and education :...
in the 1977 film MacArthur
MacArthur (film)
MacArthur is a 1977 American biographical war film directed by Joseph Sargent and starring Gregory Peck in the eponymous role as American General Douglas MacArthur.-Plot:...
, and guest-starred as Blair Warner's mother, Monica Warner, on the sitcom The Facts of Life
The Facts of Life (TV series)
The Facts of Life is an American sitcom that originally ran on the NBC television network from August 24, 1979 to May 7, 1988. A spin-off of the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, the series' premise focused on Edna Garrett as she becomes a housemother at the fictional Eastland School, a prestigious...
.
In 1982 she appeared as Kate Hanrahan, a madam/con artist, in a few episodes of the television series Bret Maverick
Bret Maverick
Bret Maverick is an American Western series starring James Garner in the role that made him famous in the 1957 series Maverick: a professional poker player traveling alone year after year through the Old West from riverboat to saloon...
starring James Garner
James Garner
James Garner is an American film and television actor, one of the first Hollywood actors to excel in both media. He has starred in several television series spanning a career of more than five decades...
.
Dusay received a 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...
nomination in 1995 for her work on Guiding Light and was nominated for a special fan award as "America's Favorite Villain" for her performance 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...
.
In late May 2005, Dusay was one of several cast members taken off contract due to budget cuts. The show later asked her to remain with the show on recurring status.
CBS announced that Guiding Light was being cancelled on April 1, 2009, with the last show set to air in September. Dusay appeared in Guiding Light's final episode, which aired on September 18, 2009.
Partial filmography
- Guiding LightGuiding LightGuiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009...
as Alexandra Spaulding #2 (1993-1997, 1998-1999, 2002-2009) - All My ChildrenAll My ChildrenAll 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...
as Vanessa Bennett Hayward Cortlandt (1999–2002) - Days of our LivesDays of our LivesDays of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
as Vivian Alamain (1993) (temporary replacement)- Replaced Louise Sorel while she was away
- Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara (TV series)Santa Barbara is an American television soap opera, first broadcast in the United States on NBC on July 30, 1984, and last aired on January 15, 1993. The show revolved around the eventful lives of the wealthy Capwell family of Santa Barbara, California...
as Pamela Capwell Conrad (1987-1988, 1991) - DallasDallas (TV series)Dallas is an American serial drama/prime time soap opera that revolves around the Ewings, a wealthy Texas family in the oil and cattle-ranching industries. Throughout the series, Larry Hagman stars as greedy, scheming oil baron J. R. Ewing...
as Bernice Billings (29 March 1985) - CapitolCapitol (TV series)Capitol is an American soap opera which aired on CBS from March 29, 1982 to March 20, 1987 for 1,270 episodes. As its name suggests, the storyline usually revolved around the political intrigues of people whose lives intertwined in Washington D.C....
as Myrna Clegg (1983–1987) - The Facts of LifeThe Facts of Life (TV series)The Facts of Life is an American sitcom that originally ran on the NBC television network from August 24, 1979 to May 7, 1988. A spin-off of the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, the series' premise focused on Edna Garrett as she becomes a housemother at the fictional Eastland School, a prestigious...
as Monica Warner (1981–1987) (recurringRecurring characterA recurring character is a fictional character, usually in a prime time TV series, who appears from time to time during the series' run. Recurring characters often play major roles in an episode, sometimes being the main focus...
) - Stop Susan Williams!Cliffhangers (TV series)Cliffhangers was an American television series that debuted on February 27, 1979 on NBC.Cliffhangers attempted to revive the genre of movie serials in a made-for-TV format. Each hour-long episode was divided into three 20-minute segments featuring different storylines...
as Jennifer Selden (1979) - MacArthurMacArthur (film)MacArthur is a 1977 American biographical war film directed by Joseph Sargent and starring Gregory Peck in the eponymous role as American General Douglas MacArthur.-Plot:...
as Jean MacArthurJean MacArthurJean Marie Faircloth MacArthur was the second wife of U.S. Army General of the Army Douglas MacArthur.- Early life and education :...
(1977) - Sweet NovemberSweet November (1968 film)Sweet November is a 1968 romantic drama film written by Herman Raucher and starring Sandy Dennis, Anthony Newley and Theodore Bikel. The film had originally been written as a stage play by Raucher, but before it was even performed, Universal Pictures got wind of the project and paid Raucher...
as Carol (1968)
A Chronicle of Corpses (horror film) as Grandmother Elliot (2000)
Award nominations
Daytime Emmy Awards- (2002) Special Fan Award America's Favorite Villain for playing Vanessa Cortlandt on All My ChildrenAll My ChildrenAll 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...
- (1995) Daytime Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Guiding LightGuiding LightGuiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009...
Soap Opera Digest Awards
Soap Opera Digest Awards
The Soap Opera Digest Awards were an awards show held by the daytime television magazine Soap Opera Digest. The awards were founded in 1984 to replace the less-lavish Soapy Award; those awards shows had run since 1977. The Soap Opera Digest Awards are meant to promote excellence in the soap opera...
- (1995) Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Villainess for Guiding LightGuiding LightGuiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009...
- (1988) Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role: Daytime for CapitolCapitol (TV series)Capitol is an American soap opera which aired on CBS from March 29, 1982 to March 20, 1987 for 1,270 episodes. As its name suggests, the storyline usually revolved around the political intrigues of people whose lives intertwined in Washington D.C....
- (1986) Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role on a Daytime Serial for CapitolCapitol (TV series)Capitol is an American soap opera which aired on CBS from March 29, 1982 to March 20, 1987 for 1,270 episodes. As its name suggests, the storyline usually revolved around the political intrigues of people whose lives intertwined in Washington D.C....
- Dusay was prenominated for an Emmy by the producers for playing Monica Warner on Facts of Life.
External links
Marj Dusay Facebook Fan Club
http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=47576476355