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Doris Belack
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Doris Belack (February 26, 1926 – October 4, 2011) was an American character actress of stage, film and television.[1]
Key Information
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Early years
[edit]Born on February 26, 1926, Belack was the younger child of Russian Jewish immigrant parents, Isaac and Bertha Belack; she had an older sister.[1]
Life and career
[edit]Belack began her acting career immediately after she graduated from high school when she began performing in a summer stock theater company.[1]
She has sometimes been misidentified as the first Bernice Fish, the wife to Abe Vigoda's character Fish on Barney Miller. She was actually only a one-episode replacement for actress Florence Stanley, who played the role. Before that, Belack was seen mainly in soap operas. She originated the role of Anna Wolek Craig for nearly a decade on One Life to Live. She also appeared in Another World (three different roles over several years), The Doctors (1980, as psychiatrist Dr. Claudia Howard), and The Edge of Night (1981, as Beth Bryson). Later in the 1980s, she had the recurring role of Pine Valley's mayor on All My Children.
She played the formidable soap opera producer Rita Marshall in the 1982 comedy film Tootsie, which starred Dustin Hoffman. Her other film credits included roles in Fast Forward (1985), Batteries Not Included (1987), Splash, Too (1988), She-Devil (1989), Opportunity Knocks (1990), What About Bob? (1991), Naked Gun 33+1⁄3: The Final Insult. (1994), Krippendorf's Tribe (1998), The Odd Couple II (1998) and Fail Safe (2000).[2]
Belack played the lead role in the short-lived television sitcom Baker's Dozen as "Florence Baker", the no-nonsense captain of an undercover anti-crime unit of the NYPD. The show lasted a month on CBS. She guest starred on an episode of The Golden Girls in 1985 as Gloria, the sister of Bea Arthur's character Dorothy Zbornak. From 1990 to 2001, Belack played tough, sharp-tongued Judge Margaret Barry, a recurring role on Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She voiced Maureen McReary in Grand Theft Auto IV and provided the voices of Mrs. Dink and Mrs. Wingo in the Nickelodeon show Doug. Her last television appearance was on a 2003 episode of Sex and the City.[2]
Personal life and death
[edit]Her husband, producer Philip Rose, died on May 31, 2011, four months before her own death. They were married for 65 years and had no children.[3]
Belack died on October 4, 2011, in New York City, aged 85.[1]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]- Looking Up (1977) - Libby Levine
- The Black Marble (1980) - Harried Woman
- Hanky Panky (1982) - Building Manager
- Tootsie (1982) - Rita Marshall
- Fast Forward (1985) - Mrs. Gilroy
- Batteries Not Included (1987) - Mrs. Thompson
- The Luckiest Man in the World (1989) - Mrs. Posner
- She-Devil (1989) - Paula
- Opportunity Knocks (1990) - Mona
- What About Bob? (1991) - Dr. Catherine Tomsky
- Naked Gun 33+1⁄3: The Final Insult (1994) - Dr. Roberts
- What's Your Sign? (1997)
- Krippendorf's Tribe (1998) - President Porter
- The Odd Couple II (1998) - Blanche Madison Povitch
- Doug's 1st Movie (1999) - Mayor Tippi Dink (voice)
- Prime (2005) - Blanche
- Delirious (2006) - Les's mother
- Arranged (2007) - Elona (final film role)
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | For The People | The Policewoman | Episode: "Any Benevolent Purpose" |
| 1968–1977 | One Life to Live | Anna Wolek Craig #1 / Anna Wolek Craig / Anna Craig / Anna Wolek / Anna Craig Wolek | 821 episodes (regular role) |
| 1975 | Barney Miller | Bernice Fish | Episode: "Fish" |
| 1978 | On Our Own | Nurse Pressiosa | Episode: "When a Body Meets a Body" |
| 1978 | The Last Tenant | Housekeeper | Television film |
| 1980 | Family | Dr. Derwin | Episode: "When the Bough Breaks" |
| 1980 | The Jilting of Granny Weatherall | Olive | Television film |
| 1980 | When the Whistle Blows | N/a | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1980 | The Doctors | Dr. Claudia Howard | 22 episodes (regular role) |
| 1981 | We're Fighting Back | Doctor | Television film |
| 1982 | The Edge of Night | Beth Bryson | 41 episodes (regular role) |
| 1982 | Baker's Dozen | Captain Florence Baker | 6 episodes |
| 1983 | The Cradle Will Fall | Edna Burns | Television film |
| 1983 | Sessions | N/a | Television film |
| 1984 | Emerald Point N.A.S. | Nancy Frost | Uncredited Episode: "The Wedding" |
| 1984 | Family Ties | Mrs. Willis | Episode: "Fabric Smarts" |
| 1984 | The Cosby Show | Saleswoman | Episode: "Father's Day" |
| 1984–1985 | Remington Steele | Rose Myrtle / Rose | 2 episodes |
| 1985 | Cagney & Lacey | Mrs. Harkins | Episode: "American Dream" |
| 1985 | The Hearst and Davies Affair | Louella Parsons | Television film |
| 1985 | Off The Rack | N/a | Episode: "Here Comes the Bribe" |
| 1985 | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Mrs. Courtney | Episode: "Vigilante Mothers" |
| 1985 | Hollywood Beat | N/a | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1985 | Hometown | Alice Bender | Episode: "Mary's Yen" |
| 1985 | The Golden Girls | Gloria Petrillo | Episode: "The Custody Battle" |
| 1986 | Mr. Belvedere | Customer #2 | Episode: "The Will" |
| 1986 | Mary | Norma Tucker | Episode: "Little Jo" |
| 1987 | The Equalizer | Dorian | Episode: "High Performance" |
| 1987 | Almost Partners | Anna McCue | Television film |
| 1988 | Hostage | Edna | Television film |
| 1988 | Splash, Too | Lois Needler | Television film |
| 1988 | Baby Boom | Lois Elkman | Episode: "Little Jo" |
| 1989 | Anything but Love | Dorothy Gold | Episode: "Dorothy Dearest" |
| 1991 | Absolute Strangers | Fran | Television film |
| 1991–1994 | Doug | Tippi Dink / Mrs. Wingo / Ruby Valentine | Voice role 52 episodes (regular role) |
| 1992 | Mathnet | Broadway Annie Rose | Episode: "The Case of the Smart Dummy" |
| 1992 | Laurie Hill | Beverly Fielder | 10 episodes |
| 1993 | Lifestories: Families In Crisis | Judge Cohen | Episode: "The Case of the Smart Dummy" |
| 1993 | Family Album | Lillian Lerner | 6 episodes |
| 1994 | Picket Fences | Justice Ginsburg | Episode: "May It Please the Court" |
| 1995 | Chicago Hope | Mrs. Taubler | Episode: "Heartbreak" |
| 1995 | Sisters | Shirley Nuesbaum / Naomi Margolis | 2 episodes |
| 1998 | Touched by an Angel | Elaine Weiss | Episode: "Elijah" |
| 2000 | Fail Safe | Mrs. Johnson | Television film |
| 2000–2001 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Margaret Barry / Trial Judge Margaret Barry | 3 episodes |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Vitello, Paul (October 9, 2011). "Doris Belack, Judge on TV's 'Law & Order', Dies at 85". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
Doris Belack, a veteran stage, television and screen actress best known for her roles as a no-nonsense judge on "Law & Order" and as the peeved soap opera producer in "Tootsie" died on Tuesday in New York. She was 85.
- ^ a b "Actress Doris Belack dies at 85". Variety. October 6, 2011. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- ^ "Philip Rose dies at age 89". Variety. June 5, 2011. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
External links
[edit]- Doris Belack obituary in Variety
- Doris Belack at IMDb
- Doris Belack at the Internet Broadway Database
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Doris Belack.
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Doris Belack
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Family background
Doris Belack was born on February 26, 1926, in New York City to Russian Jewish immigrant parents, Isaac and Bertha Belack.[7][1] As the younger of two daughters, she grew up in a household shaped by her parents' experiences as immigrants from Russia, who had settled in the Bronx after arriving in the United States.[1][8] Belack's older sister was her only sibling, and the family's immigrant roots provided a foundation in Jewish cultural traditions amid the diverse urban environment of early 20th-century New York.[7][4] This background, common among many Eastern European Jewish families in the city at the time, emphasized community and adaptation in a new country.[8]Education and early career
Belack completed her high school education in the Bronx.[4] After graduation, she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, graduating in 1945.[9][10] Immediately following high school, she pursued her interest in performing arts by joining a summer stock theater company, where she gained initial practical experience in stage production and acting and began her professional acting career.[4][1] An early credit came in 1955, when she contributed her voice to the album Poetry of the Negro, a spoken-word recording produced by Glory Records, where she performed alongside Sidney Poitier in recitations of works by poets such as Langston Hughes and James Weldon Johnson.[3][11]Career
Stage work
Doris Belack's stage career spanned the 1960s through the 1990s, during which she built a reputation as a versatile character actress known for her sharp comedic timing and reliable presence in supporting roles across Broadway and off-Broadway productions.[12] Her work often featured understudy and replacement assignments that allowed her to step into principal parts, showcasing her adaptability in ensemble-driven comedies and dramas.[5] Following her early involvement in summer stock theater, Belack transitioned to professional credits that highlighted her strength in portraying strong-willed, relatable women.[2] Belack debuted on Broadway in 1960 as Simone in the short-lived comedy Semi-Detached, marking the start of her extensive theater resume. She continued with supporting roles and standbys in the late 1960s and 1970s, including as Phyllis in The Ninety Day Mistress (1967) and as standby for Elaine Navazio in Neil Simon's long-running hit The Last of the Red Hot Lovers (1969–1971), which ran for 706 performances.[13] In 1974, she understudied multiple nurses in Terrence McNally's Bad Habits before replacing as Ruth Benson, R.N., in its dual-program format at Manhattan Theater Club before transferring to Broadway for 153 performances.[14] Her Broadway momentum carried into the late 1970s with original roles like Barbara Horvath in The Trip Back Down (1977), a family drama that ran for 62 performances, and a standby position for Monica and Grace in the short-lived Cheaters (1978).[15] In 1979, she originated the role of Ruby in the Broadway revival of Neil Simon's The Goodbye People, which ran for 165 performances.[16] Belack returned to principal casting in the 1980s as replacement Sophie Greengrass in Andrew Bergman's Social Security (1986–1987), a satirical comedy about family dynamics that enjoyed 349 performances.[17] Off-Broadway, she starred as Colin's producer in David Williamson's Emerald City (1988) at the Perry Street Theatre, a biting exploration of the Australian film industry that critiqued Hollywood ambitions through Sydney's "Emerald City."[2][18] Belack capped her major stage run with a starring turn as Doris in Ivan Menchell's The Cemetery Club (1990), portraying a widowed Jewish woman navigating grief and friendship in a heartfelt comedy that played 48 performances at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.[19] Throughout her theater tenure, her contributions emphasized ensemble interplay and character depth, often elevating supporting parts with her authoritative yet warm delivery.[20]Television roles
Belack's television career began prominently with her origination of the role of Anna Wolek Craig on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, where she appeared regularly from 1968 to 1977.[2] This role marked her as a key figure in daytime drama, portraying a resilient family matriarch in the fictional town of Llanview.[21] Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she took on guest and recurring parts in several other soap operas, including multiple characters on Another World.[2] In 1980, she played psychiatrist Dr. Claudia Howard on The Doctors.[22] The following year, she portrayed nurse Beth Bryson on The Edge of Night.[22] In 1982, Belack starred as the lead in the short-lived CBS sitcom Baker's Dozen, embodying Captain Florence Baker, a no-nonsense leader of an undercover NYPD anti-crime unit.[2] Her commanding presence in authority roles became a signature, later exemplified by her recurring portrayal of Judge Margaret Barry on NBC's Law & Order from 1990 to 2001 and on its spin-off Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2000 and 2001, where she delivered stern courtroom decisions across multiple episodes.[4][2] Belack also made notable guest appearances, such as playing Gloria Petrillo, the sister of Dorothy Zbornak, on a 1985 episode of The Golden Girls.[23] From 1991 to 1994, she provided voice work for the animated series Doug, voicing characters including Mrs. Wingo and Tippi Dink.[22] Her television work spanned from 1968 until 2003, with her final appearance as Lenore on an episode of HBO's Sex and the City.[2]Film appearances
Doris Belack established herself as a versatile character actress in feature films during the 1980s and 1990s, frequently taking on supporting roles that showcased her commanding presence in both comedic and dramatic contexts.[2] Her film work emphasized nuanced portrayals of authoritative women, often mirroring the stern yet empathetic judges she embodied on television.[10] One of her most memorable film roles was as Rita Marshall in the 1982 comedy Tootsie, directed by Sydney Pollack, where she played the exasperated producer of the fictional soap opera Southwest General. Belack's performance captured the character's no-nonsense demeanor as she navigates the chaotic on-set antics of Dustin Hoffman's cross-dressing actor, Michael Dorsey, contributing to the film's satirical take on Hollywood and gender dynamics.[2] The role highlighted her ability to deliver sharp, witty dialogue amid escalating absurdity, earning praise for grounding the ensemble cast. Belack continued her film career with a series of supporting parts in popular comedies throughout the decade. In batteries not included (1987), she portrayed Mrs. Thompson, a resilient tenant in a New York apartment building threatened by demolition, adding emotional depth to the sci-fi elements involving tiny alien robots. Her role in Opportunity Knocks (1990) as a stern figure further demonstrated her knack for authoritative cameos in lighthearted capers.[10] In the early 1990s, Belack appeared in What About Bob? (1991), directed by Frank Oz, playing Dr. Tomsky, a fellow psychiatrist who becomes entangled in the obsessive antics of Bill Murray's character around Richard Dreyfuss's unraveling therapist. Her portrayal infused the ensemble with professional skepticism and dry humor, enhancing the film's exploration of mental health and boundary-crossing dependency. She capped this period with a role in Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994), as Dr. Roberts, delivering a brief but memorable turn in the slapstick parody of prison breaks and award shows, where her authoritative delivery amplified the film's chaotic energy.[24] These appearances solidified Belack's reputation for injecting gravitas into ensemble-driven comedies, often in roles that required both comedic timing and subtle dramatic weight.[2]Personal life
Marriage and family
Doris Belack married theatrical producer Philip Rose in 1946, beginning a partnership that lasted 65 years until his death in 2011.[25][2] Rose, known for producing landmark Broadway plays such as A Raisin in the Sun and Purlie Victorious, shared Belack's deep ties to the New York theater community, where their personal lives intertwined with social and artistic circles centered on live performance.[4][26] The couple had no children, focusing instead on their enduring companionship and mutual support through decades of professional and personal endeavors in the arts.[2][27] Their marriage exemplified a long-term bond without offspring, though their relationship remained rooted in private devotion rather than public collaboration.[4]Death
Doris Belack died on October 4, 2011, in Manhattan, New York City, at the age of 85, from natural causes following a final bout of illness. According to friends, Belack had been urged to seek hospital care shortly before her passing but declined due to an upcoming audition, reflecting her dedication even in declining health.[1] She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Broadway producer Philip Rose, who had passed away on May 31, 2011.[26] Belack's death was publicly announced shortly thereafter by major outlets, including Variety and The New York Times, which noted her extensive contributions to stage, film, and television while expressing condolences from the entertainment community.[2][1]Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Looking Up | Libby Levine[28] |
| 1980 | The Black Marble | Harried Woman[29] |
| 1982 | Hanky Panky | Building Manager |
| 1982 | Tootsie | Rita Marshall |
| 1985 | Fast Forward | Mrs. Blake |
| 1987 | *batteries not included | Mrs. Thompson |
| 1989 | She-Devil | Paula |
| 1990 | Opportunity Knocks | Mona |
| 1991 | What About Bob? | Dr. Tomsky |
| 1991 | Delirious | Les's mother[30] |
| 1994 | The Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult | Dr. Roberts[31] |
| 1998 | Krippendorf's Tribe | President Porter[32] |
| 1998 | The Odd Couple II | Blanche Povich[33] |
| 2005 | Prime | Blanche[34] |
| 2007 | Arranged | Elona[35] |
Television
Belack's television career was marked by a diverse range of roles, from long-running soap opera characters to guest appearances in popular sitcoms and dramas, spanning from 1968 to 2003. She gained early prominence in daytime television before transitioning to prime-time series and voice work.[22] Her credits include the following, presented chronologically:| Year(s) | Title | Role | Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968–1977 | One Life to Live | Anna Wolek Craig | 820 | Recurring lead role in the ABC soap opera.[36] |
| 1975 | Barney Miller | Bernice Fish | 1 | Guest appearance in the episode "Fish." |
| 1980 | The Doctors | Dr. Claudia Howard | Unknown (recurring) | Role in the NBC soap opera.[22] |
| 1981–1982 | The Edge of Night | Nurse Beth Bryson | Unknown (recurring) | Role in the CBS soap opera.[22] |
| 1982 | Baker's Dozen | Captain Florence Baker | 5 | Lead role in the short-lived CBS sitcom.[22] |
| 1984 | The Cosby Show | Saleswoman | 1 | Guest in the episode "Father's Day."[2] |
| 1984 | Family Ties | Mrs. Willis | 1 | Guest in the episode "Fabric Smarts." |
| 1984 | Remington Steele | Rose | 1 | Guest in the episode "Hounded Steele." |
| 1985 | The Golden Girls | Gloria Petrillo | 1 | Guest in the episode "The Custody Battle."[37] |
| 1985 | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Mrs. Courtney | 1 | Guest appearance. |
| 1986–1987 | All My Children | Mayor of Pine Valley | Unknown (recurring) | Role in the ABC soap opera.[22] |
| 1990–2001 | Law & Order | Judge Margaret Barry | 10 | Recurring role as a trial judge.[2] |
| 1990 | Law & Order | Judge Barry J. Marton | 1 | Guest in the episode "Happily Ever After."[38] |
| 1991–1994 | Doug | Mrs. Wingo / Tippi Dink / Ruby Valentine | Unknown (recurring voice) | Voice role in the Nickelodeon animated series.[22] |
| 1992 | Laurie Hill | Beverly Fielder | Unknown (series regular) | Role in the short-lived ABC sitcom.[22] |
| 1993 | Family Album | Lillian Lerner | Unknown (recurring) | Role in the NBC sitcom.[22] |
| 1994 | Picket Fences | Justice Ginsburg | 1 | Guest in the episode "May It Please the Court."[2] |
| 1995 | Chicago Hope | Mrs. Taubler | 1 | Guest in the episode "Heartbreak."[2] |
| 1995 | Sisters | Shirley Nuesbaum | 2 | Guest appearances.[2] |
| 1996–1999 | Doug (as Brand Spanking New! Doug) | Mayor Tippi Dink | Unknown (recurring voice) | Voice role in the ABC/Disney animated series.[22] |
| 2000–2001 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Judge Margaret Barry | 2 | Recurring role as a judge in episodes "Closure, Part 2" and "Pique."[2] |
| 2002 | Everwood | Ruth Hoffman | 1 | Guest appearance.[39] |
| 2003 | Sex and the City | Lenore | 1 | Guest in the episode "Hop, Skip, and a Week."[39] |