Hubbry Logo
Nancy MarchandNancy MarchandMain
Open search
Nancy Marchand
Community hub
Nancy Marchand
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Nancy Marchand
Nancy Marchand
Nancy Marchand
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Nancy Lou Marchand (June 19, 1928 – June 18, 2000) was an American actress. She began her career in theater. She was most famous for portraying Margaret Pynchon on Lou Grant – for which she won 4 Emmy Awards – and Livia Soprano on The Sopranos, for which she won a Golden Globe Award.[4]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Marchand was born in 1928 in Buffalo, New York, the only child of Dr. Raymond Louis Marchand, a dentist, and his wife, Marjorie Freeman, a piano teacher.[5] Her great-grandfather Louis Marchand, a stone cutter, emigrated from France.[6] She grew up in the adjacent hamlet of Eggertsville, New York.[4] She attended Amherst High School, and studied acting at the Studio Theatre School in Buffalo, taking two buses to make the trip.[7][8] She graduated from the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1949[9] and studied theater at the Herbert Berghof Studio[10] in New York City.

Career

[edit]

Marchand made her first professional stage appearance in 1946 in The Late George Apley in Ogunquit, Maine.[11] She made her Broadway debut in The Taming of the Shrew in 1951. She won a Distinguished Performance Obie Award for The Balcony, and she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for The White Liars & Black Comedy. She was nominated four times for the Drama Desk Award, winning for Morning's at Seven. She won a second Obie for her performance in A. R. Gurney's The Cocktail Hour.

In 1953, she made her television debut starring opposite Rod Steiger on The Philco Television Playhouse in the television play Marty. Marchand originated the roles of Vinnie Phillips on the CBS soap opera Love of Life and Theresa Lamonte on the NBC soap opera Another World. She also starred as matriarch Edith Cushing on Lovers and Friends, a short-lived soap opera.

Marchand was renowned for her roles as patrician newspaper publisher Margaret Pynchon on Lou Grant, winning four Emmy Awards as Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series, and as matriarch Livia Soprano, mother of Tony Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos, which earned her a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, as well as two Emmy Award nominations.[4]

She appeared in many anthology series in the early days of television, including The Philco Television Playhouse (on which she starred in Marty opposite Rod Steiger), Kraft Television Theatre, Studio One, and Playhouse 90. Additional television credits include The Law and Mr. Jones, Spenser: For Hire, Law & Order, Homicide: Life on the Street, Coach, and Night Court.

Marchand's feature film credits included The Bachelor Party, Ladybug Ladybug, Me, Natalie, Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon, The Hospital, The Bostonians, From the Hip, Jefferson in Paris, Brain Donors, Reckless, The Naked Gun, Sabrina and Dear God.

Marchand's death occurred between Seasons 2 and 3 of The Sopranos, before a plot line prominently involving her character was resolved. Her death was written into the plot, and one final scene was created for her using computer-generated imagery, which was a groundbreaking technology at the time, together with outtakes from previous seasons.[12]

Personal life

[edit]

Marchand was married to actor Paul Sparer. He died in 1999 from cancer at age 75. The couple had three children: Katie, David, and Rachel, and seven grandchildren.[13]

A long time chain smoker,[14] Marchand suffered from lung cancer, emphysema, and COPD. She died on June 18, 2000 in Stratford, Connecticut.[15] She was posthumously inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.[16]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1954 Three Steps to Start Producer, Julien Bryan International Film Foundation NYU
1957 The Bachelor Party Mrs. Julie Samson
1963 Ladybug Ladybug Mrs. Andrews
1969 Me, Natalie Edna Miller
1970 Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon Nurse Oxford
1971 The Hospital Mrs. Christie
1984 The Bostonians Mrs. Burrage
1987 From the Hip Roberta Winnaker
1988 The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! Mayor Barkley
1991 Regarding Henry Headmistress Uncredited
1992 Brain Donors Lillian Oglethorpe
1995 Jefferson in Paris Madame Abbesse
1995 Reckless Grandmother
1995 Sabrina Maude Larrabee
1996 Dear God Judge Kits Van Heynigan

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1950 Westinghouse Studio One Jo March 2 episodes
1951 Lux Video Theatre Joan Episode: "Forever Walk Free"
1951–1958 Kraft Theatre Abby 9 episodes
1953 Studio One in Hollywood Miss Marmon Episode: "The Hospital"
1953 The Philco Television Playhouse Clara Episode: "Marty"
1953 Lux Video Theatre Phyllis Episode: "Two for Tea"
1954 Pond's Theater Charlotte 4 episodes
1957 Studio One in Hollywood Eleanor Episode: "Rudy"
1957 The United States Steel Hour Gen Arnold Episode: "Windfall"
1957 Shirley Temple's Storybook Queen Episode: "The Sleeping Beauty"
1958 Playhouse 90 Sylvia Sands Episode: "Free Weekend"
1959 Armstrong Circle Theatre Mrs. Howard Jones Episode: "Miracle at Spring Hill"
1959 Playhouse 90 Mrs. Yarbrough Episode: "The Hidden Image"
1959 NBC Sunday Showcase Mrs. Clegg Episode: "The Indestructible Mr. Gore"
1959 R.C.M.P. Gerta Boyd Episode: "Little Girl Lost"
1959 The Bells of St. Mary's Sister Michael TV movie
1960 Play of the Week Margaret 2 episodes
1960 The Law and Mr. Jones Dorothy Episode: "The Long Echo"
1961 The Defenders Mrs. Crile Episode: "The Attack"
1962 Naked City Esther Lindall Episode: "The Multiplicity of Herbert Konish"
1964 The Defenders Rhoda Banter Episode: "Hollow Triumph"
1972 Look Homeward, Angel Madame Elizabeth TV movie
1975 Beacon Hill Mary Lassiter 13 episodes
1976 Another World Theresa Lamonte Unknown episodes
1977–1982 Lou Grant Margaret Pynchon 99 episodes
1977 Soldier's Home Mrs. Krebs TV movie
1983 Sparkling Cyanide Lucilla Drake TV movie
1984 Cheers Dr. Hester Crane Episode: "Diane Meets Mom"
1986 Spenser: For Hire Emily Garden Episode: "In a Safe Place"
1986 North and South, Book II Dorothea Dix 6 episodes
1986 Spearfield's Daughter Claudine Roux Miniseries
1990–1992 Coach Marlene Watkins 2 episodes
1992 Law & Order Mrs. Barbara Ryder Episode: "Blood Is Thicker"
1992 Night Court Louise Cahill 2 episodes
1993 Crossroads Aunt Dorothy Episode: "The Nickel Curve"
1994 Homicide: Life on the Street Lorraine Freeman Episode: "All Through the House"
1999–2001 The Sopranos Livia Soprano 21 episodes

Theatre

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1951 The Taming of the Shrew[17] Hostess / Curtis
1953 Love's Labour's Lost Princess of France
1953 The Merchant of Venice Nerissa
1956 The Good Woman of Setzuan Mrs. Mi Tzu
1957 Miss Isobel Miriam Ackroyd
1959 Much Ado About Nothing Ursula
1962 Tchin-Tchin Pamela Pew Pickett (understudy)
1963 Strange Interlude Nina Leeds
1966 3 Bags Full Genevieve
1966 The Alchemist Performer
1966 Yerma Dolores
1967 After the Rain Gertrude Forbes-Cooper
1968 Cyrano de Bergerac Roxane's Duenna / Sister Claire
1968 Forty Carats Mrs. Latham
1971 And Miss Reardon Drinks A Little Ceil Adams
1971 Mary Stuart Queen Elizabeth
1972 Enemies Tatiana
1973 The Plough and the Stars Mrs. Gogan
1973 Veronica's Room The Woman (standby)
1975 The Glass Menagerie Amanda Wingfield (standby)
1980 Morning's at Seven Ida Bolton
1984 Awake and Sing! Bessie Berger
1985 The Octette Bridge Club Connie
1988 The Cocktail Hour Ann
1989 Love Letters Melissa Gardner (replacement)
1993 The White Liars & Black Comedy Miss Furnival / Sophie, Baroness Lemberg

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Organization Category Series Result
1978 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Lou Grant Won
1979 Nominated
1980 Won
1981 Won
1982 Won
1994 Tony Awards Best Actress in a Play The White Liars & Black Comedy Nominated
1999 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The Sopranos Nominated
1999 Viewers for Quality Televisions Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series Nominated
2000 Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film Won
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Won
2001 Nominated

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Nancy Marchand

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Nancy Marchand (June 19, 1928 – June 18, 2000) was an American actress renowned for her commanding performances in theater, television, and film, particularly her four Emmy Award-winning portrayal of imperious newspaper publisher Margaret Pynchon on the series (1977–1982) and her Golden Globe-winning role as the manipulative matriarch on HBO's (1999–2000). Born in , to a dentist father and pianist mother, Marchand developed an early interest in acting and trained at the Carnegie Institute of Technology, graduating in 1949, before studying at Lee Strasberg's . Marchand's career spanned five decades, beginning with her Broadway debut in 1951 as the Hostess and Curtis in The Taming of the Shrew and including acclaimed Off-Broadway work, such as her Obie Award-winning performance as Madame Irma in Jean Genet's The Balcony (1959). She became a versatile stage actress, appearing in classics by Shakespeare, Chekhov, and Shaw with repertory companies like the Association of Producing Artists (A.P.A.), and later in revivals such as Morning's at Seven (1980) and The Cocktail Hour (1988). Her theater background informed her screen presence, often casting her as authoritative, patrician figures, and she earned Tony Award nominations for her stage work. On television, Marchand's breakthrough came with , where her nuanced depiction of the ethical yet formidable Mrs. Pynchon earned her in 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1985, making her one of the most honored supporting actresses of her era. Her later role as , Tony's psychologically complex mother, brought posthumous acclaim, including Emmy nominations in 1999 and 2000, a Award, and the 2000 Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Series. She appeared in over 50 TV productions, from early live dramas like (1950) to guest spots on series such as (1964) and (1985). In film, Marchand delivered memorable supporting turns, including the scheming head nurse in Paddy Chayefsky's (1971), the title character's aunt in (1984), and roles in comedies like The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) and Sabrina (1995). Married to actor from 1951 until his death in 1999, she had three children and was known for her chain-smoking habit, which contributed to her death from and chronic pulmonary disease at age 71 in . Marchand's legacy endures as a trailblazer for character actresses, blending theatrical depth with television prestige.

Early life

Birth and family

Nancy Marchand was born on June 19, 1928, in , to Raymond L. Marchand, a dentist, and Marjorie Freeman Marchand, a and piano teacher. She grew up in the suburban Eggertsville neighborhood of Buffalo in a middle-class household. Her mother's career in music provided early exposure to the through piano playing in the family home.

Education

Marchand attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now ) in , , where she focused on theater and drama as part of the College of Fine Arts program. She graduated in 1949 with a degree, having immersed herself in the study of classical playwrights such as . During her college years, Marchand actively participated in campus productions, which provided her with foundational stage experience and helped develop her interpretive skills in dramatic works. While still a student, she made her initial semi-professional appearance in 1946, portraying a role in The Late George Apley at the Ogunquit Playhouse in , marking an early step beyond academic settings. Following her graduation, Marchand pursued advanced training at the Actors Studio in , where she studied techniques to deepen her craft and prepare for professional opportunities.

Acting career

Theater

Nancy Marchand began her professional stage career in the late 1940s, making her New York debut in a small role as the Hostess and Curtis in a revival of William Shakespeare's at City Center in 1951. This early appearance marked the start of her extensive involvement in both classical and contemporary theater, where she demonstrated a commanding presence in supporting and leading parts alike. By the mid-1950s, she had expanded into Shakespearean repertory, including roles such as Nerissa in (1953) and the Princess of France in (1953), both on Broadway. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Marchand gained acclaim for her work in and modern drama, particularly . She was also a member of the Association of Producing Artists (A.P.A.), performing in classical repertory. A breakthrough came in 1960 when she portrayed Madame Irma, the brothel owner, in Jean Genet's at the Circle in the Square Theatre, a role that showcased her ability to embody complex, authoritative figures in surreal settings and for which she won a Distinguished Performance . Her versatility extended to regional theater, where she maintained a long association with the American Shakespeare Festival in , performing leading roles such as Paulina in (1958) and Lady Capulet in during the festival's formative years. These engagements highlighted her skill in classical works, often alongside prominent actors like and . In later decades, Marchand returned to Broadway with notable revivals that emphasized her prowess in American plays. She played Ida Bolton in Paul Osborn's Morning's at Seven (1980–1981), a comedic role that drew on her talent for portraying sharp-witted matriarchs. , she starred as Ann in A.R. Gurney's The Cocktail Hour (1988–1989) at the Promenade Theatre, embodying the refined yet conflicted upper-class wife in a family drama exploring artistic ambition and social norms. Marchand's career reflected a broad range, from Shakespearean queens and Genet's enigmatic leaders to Gurney's contemporary grande dames, contributing to the vitality of mid-20th-century American theater through her precise, imperious characterizations. Following her death in 2000, Marchand was posthumously inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2004, recognizing her enduring influence on the stage.

Television

Marchand's television career began in the early 1950s amid the golden age of live anthology dramas, where she made frequent appearances in prestigious series such as Kraft Television Theatre, Studio One, Goodyear Television Playhouse, and Suspense. These roles highlighted her command of dramatic material in short-form teleplays, often adapted from literature or original scripts. One of her earliest breakthroughs came in 1953 as Clara, the shy wallflower, in the acclaimed Philco Television Playhouse production of Marty, opposite ; the live broadcast earned widespread praise and later won a Peabody Award for its realistic portrayal of working-class life. Throughout the and , Marchand established herself in daytime soap operas with roles that demonstrated her range in serialized storytelling. She played the recurring role of Vinnie Phillips, a resilient family matriarch, on Love of Life in the 1970s. Later, she appeared in roles on . In 1976, she appeared as Therese Lamonte on Another World. These parts often involved complex emotional arcs centered on family dynamics and personal ambition. In 1975, Marchand starred as Mary Lassiter, the stern head of a wealthy family, in the short-lived primetime series Beacon Hill, an American adaptation of the British Upstairs, Downstairs that explored class tensions in a single household; the show ran for 13 episodes before cancellation. Her defining primetime role arrived with (1977–1982), where she portrayed Pynchon, the widowed, authoritative publisher of the fictional Tribune. Marchand appeared in all 114 episodes, delivering a performance that blended steely resolve with subtle vulnerability, earning her four for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Series. Marchand balanced series work with selective guest spots on major network shows, often cast as formidable older women. She guest-starred as Hester Crane, the critical mother of psychiatrist , in the episode "Diane Meets Mom" (1984). On Coach, she played the eccentric Merlene Watkins in three episodes across 1989 and 1990, including "Poodle Springs." In 1992, she appeared as Mrs. Barbara Ryder in the episode "Blood Is Thicker," and as U.S. Congresswoman Louise Cahill in two episodes of ("Party Girl," Parts 1 and 2). These roles underscored her talent for injecting authority and wit into brief appearances. Marchand's final major role was as , the bitter and scheming mother of mob boss , on HBO's (1999–2000). She appeared in 12 episodes over the first two seasons, providing a chilling psychological foil to her son; her character's arc incorporated elements of Marchand's real-life battle with before her death in June 2000, after which the role was written out of the series.

Film

Nancy Marchand's appearances span from 1957 to 1996, often in supporting roles that showcased her commanding presence and versatility in dramatic and comedic contexts.
YearTitleRoleDirectorCitation
1957Julie Samson
1963Ladybug LadybugMrs. Andrews
1969Me, NatalieMrs. MillerFred Coe
1970Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie MoonNurse Oxford
1971Mrs. Christie
1984Mrs. Burrage
1988Mayor Lillian Barkley
1991Headmistress (uncredited)
1992Lillian Oglethorpe
1995RecklessGrandmotherNorman René
1995SabrinaMaude Larrabee
1995Madame Abbesse
1996Dear GodJudge Kits Van Heynigan

Personal life

Marriage and family

Nancy Marchand married actor on July 7, 1951. The couple met while performing in Shakespeare and Shaw productions at the Brattle Theatre in . They remained married for nearly 48 years until Sparer's death from cancer in November 1999. Marchand and Sparer had three children: daughters Kathryn "Katie" Sparer, an actress, and Rachel Sparer Bersier, an opera singer, and son David Sparer, an attorney. The family shared a deep connection to the , with both parents established in theater and two of their children pursuing careers in and . At the time of Marchand's death, she was survived by seven grandchildren.

Illness and death

Marchand was a longtime chain smoker, a habit that contributed to her developing , , and (COPD). In the late 1990s, Nancy Marchand was diagnosed with , a condition she had known about for approximately five years by the time of her death. She also battled and (COPD), which severely impacted her health during this period. Despite these illnesses, Marchand continued her professional commitments, including filming her role as on , where her COPD complicated production but accommodations were made to allow her to complete Season 2. Marchand died on June 18, 2000, at her home in , from , just one day before her 72nd birthday. Her husband, , had passed away from cancer in November 1999, leaving her survived by their three children: Kathryn (Katie) Sparer Bowe, , and . Marchand's daughter, Katie Sparer Bowe, stated that no specific was listed, but noted her mother's long struggle with cancer and chronic pulmonary disease. The family held a private funeral service, with tributes from co-stars later expressed at the 2000 , where they honored her enduring performance as .

Awards and honors

Emmy Awards

Nancy Marchand earned four for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as publisher Margaret Pynchon on the series [Lou Grant](/page/Lou Grant), winning in 1978, 1980, 1981, and 1982. She was also nominated in 1979. These accolades highlighted her commanding performance as a formidable and ethically driven female figure in a journalism-themed drama, underscoring the evolving portrayal of women in positions of authority on television during the late 1970s and early . Later in her career, Marchand received nominations in the same category for her portrayal of on HBO's , in 1999 and posthumously in 2000. For the role, she also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series in 2000 and shared the Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Series in 2000. No other Primetime Emmy nominations for television performances are recorded.
YearCategoryShowResult
1978Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesWon
1979Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesNominated
1980Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesWon
1981Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesWon
1982Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesWon
1999Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesNominated
2000Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesNominated (posthumous)

Theater awards

Nancy Marchand garnered significant recognition for her stage work, particularly through and Broadway accolades that highlighted her commanding presence and versatility in dramatic roles. Her awards and nominations span decades, reflecting her enduring impact on American theater from the mid-20th century onward. Marchand's early breakthrough came with the for Distinguished Performance, which she received in 1960 for portraying Madame Irma in Jean Genet's at the Circle in the Square Theatre, earning praise for her intense and authoritative depiction of the brothel madam. She later secured a second in 1989 for her role as Ann in A. R. Gurney's The Cocktail Hour, a production that showcased her nuanced handling of familial tensions in an upper-class setting. On Broadway, Marchand received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play in 1994 for her performance as the Baroness Lemberg/Sophie in the revival of Peter Shaffer's double bill White Liars and Black Comedy at the Roundabout Theatre. This nomination underscored her ability to navigate comedic and farcical elements with sharp timing. Marchand was honored with the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance in 1980 as one of the four sisters in Paul Osborn's Morning's at Seven revival, a role that contributed to the production's acclaim for its heartfelt portrayal of Midwestern family dynamics. She earned three additional Drama Desk nominations: in 1985 for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play as Connie in The Octette Bridge Club; in 1989 for Outstanding Actress in a Play in The Cocktail Hour; and in 1992 for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play as Rosamund/Jocelyn in The End of the Day. Complementing this, she won an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Performance in 1980 for Morning's at Seven.

Filmography

Film

Nancy Marchand's appearances span from 1957 to 1996, often in supporting roles that showcased her commanding presence and versatility in dramatic and comedic contexts.
YearTitleRoleDirectorCitation
1957Julie Samson
1962Mrs. Lipari
1963Ladybug LadybugMrs. Andrews
1969Mrs. MillerFred Coe
1970Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie MoonNurse Oxford
1971Mrs. Christie
1984Mrs. Burrage
1987From the HipRoberta Winnaker
1988Mayor Lillian Barkley
1991Headmistress (uncredited)
1992Lillian Oglethorpe
1995RecklessGrandmotherNorman René
1995SabrinaMaude Larrabee
1995Madame Abbesse
1996Dear GodJudge Kits Van Heynigan

Television

Marchand's television career began in the early amid the of live anthology dramas, where she made frequent appearances in prestigious series such as , Studio One, Goodyear Television Playhouse, and . These roles highlighted her command of dramatic material in short-form teleplays, often adapted from or original scripts. One of her earliest breakthroughs came in 1953 as Clara, the shy wallflower, in the acclaimed production of Marty, opposite ; the live broadcast earned widespread praise and later won a Peabody Award for its realistic portrayal of working-class life. Throughout the and , Marchand established herself in daytime soap operas with originating roles that demonstrated her range in serialized storytelling. She played Vinnie Phillips, a resilient family matriarch, on Love of Life starting in 1951. Later, she had a regular role on . In 1976, she appeared as Theresa Lamonte on Another World. These parts often involved complex emotional arcs centered on family dynamics and personal ambition. In 1975, Marchand starred as Mary Lassiter, the stern head of a wealthy family, in the short-lived primetime series Beacon Hill, an American adaptation of the British drama Upstairs, Downstairs that explored class tensions in a single household; the show ran for 13 episodes before cancellation. Her defining primetime role arrived with (1977–1982), where she portrayed Pynchon, the widowed, authoritative publisher of the fictional Tribune. Marchand appeared in all 114 episodes, delivering a performance that blended steely resolve with subtle vulnerability, earning her four for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Series. Marchand balanced series work with selective guest spots on major network shows, often cast as formidable older women. She guest-starred as Hester Crane, the critical mother of psychiatrist , in the episode "Diane Meets Mom" (1984). On Coach, she played the eccentric Merlene Watkins in three episodes across 1989 and 1990, including "Poodle Springs." In 1992, she appeared as Mrs. Barbara Ryder in the episode "Blood Is Thicker," and as U.S. Congresswoman Louise Cahill in two episodes of ("Party Girl," Parts 1 and 2). These roles underscored her talent for injecting authority and wit into brief appearances. Marchand's final major role was as , the bitter and scheming mother of mob boss , on HBO's (1999–2000). She appeared in 12 episodes over the first two seasons, providing a chilling psychological foil to her son; her character's arc incorporated elements of Marchand's real-life battle with before her death in June 2000, after which the role was written out of the series.

Theatre

Nancy Marchand's theater career encompassed a wide range of classical and modern roles across Broadway, , and regional stages, showcasing her command of Shakespearean drama and contemporary character work from the through the . She debuted professionally on Broadway in 1951 and became known for her precise, authoritative portrayals, often in ensemble productions that highlighted her dramatic depth.

Broadway Productions

Marchand appeared in over 20 Broadway productions, frequently taking on supporting and leading roles in revivals of classic plays as well as original works. Her notable credits include:
YearProductionRoleVenue
1951The Taming of the ShrewHostess / CurtisNew York City Center
1953Love's Labour's LostPrincess of FranceCity Center
1953The Merchant of VeniceNerissaCity Center
1956The Good Woman of SetzuanMrs. Mi TzuPhoenix Theatre
1957Miss IsobelMiriam AckroydJohn Golden Theatre
1959Much Ado About NothingUrsulaCity Center
1966The AlchemistPerformerMartin Beck Theatre
1966YermaDoloresBroadway Theatre
1968Cyrano de BergeracRoxane's Duenna / Sister ClaireLincoln Center Repertory Theatre
1968Forty CaratsMrs. LathamMusic Box Theatre
1971And Miss Reardon Drinks a LittleCeil AdamsCort Theatre
1971Mary StuartQueen ElizabethAhmanson Theatre (transferred to Broadway)
1980Morning's at SevenIda BoltonLyceum Theatre
1984Awake and Sing!Bessie BergerBelasco Theatre
1985The Octette Bridge ClubConnieJohn Golden Theatre
1993White Liars / Black ComedyMiss Furnival (Black Comedy) / Sophie, Baroness Lemberg (White Liars)Roundabout Theatre
These roles demonstrated her versatility, from Shakespearean supporting parts to commanding figures in 20th-century American drama, with Morning's at Seven earning her a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play.

Off-Broadway Productions

Marchand's Off-Broadway work often featured innovative and challenging contemporary pieces, where she received critical recognition for her intense performances. Key productions include:
  • The Balcony (1960, ): As Madame Irma, the brothel owner in Jean Genet's surreal allegory, a role that won her an for Distinguished Performance.
  • The Cocktail Hour (1988–1989, Promenade Theatre): Portraying Ann, the matriarch in A.R. Gurney's witty family comedy, for which she received an nomination and Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Play.
Her Off-Broadway appearances, particularly in the 1960s and 1980s, underscored her affinity for ensemble-driven works that explored power dynamics and human frailty.

Regional Theater

In the 1950s and 1960s, Marchand was a prominent repertory actress at the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Connecticut, contributing to its early seasons as a hub for classical theater. She performed in multiple Shakespeare productions during the 1958 and 1959 seasons, including roles in The Winter's Tale (1958) and The Merry Wives of Windsor (1959, as a cast member alongside Barbara Barrie). These engagements allowed her to hone her skills in large-scale Shakespearean ensembles, playing characters that ranged from comedic to tragic, and helped establish her reputation in regional professional theater before her broader Broadway success.

References

  1. https://goldenglobes.com/person/nancy-marchand/
  2. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/nancy-marchand
  3. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/nancy-marchand-51377
  4. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/nancy_marchand
  5. https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/nancy-marchand
  6. https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LTXK-61J/nancy-marchand-1928-2000
  7. https://helenair.com/news/article_52529c0d-79ba-5106-b3fd-1f91b41a28c9.html
  8. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/08/29/nancy-marchand-and-the-stuff-of-daydreams/d1ab4c87-2764-4ed8-892b-9fc2cda63e7c/
  9. https://www.cmu.edu/engage/news-stories/alumni-hall-of-honor/bio-sparer
  10. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0545408/
  11. https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/nancy-marchand-dies-versatile-on-stage-tv-1117782795/
  12. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/06/20/emmy-winner-nancy-marchand/5540ea0a-7a15-4c81-8833-2be9cda93859/
  13. https://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/20/arts/nancy-marchand-71-player-of-imperious-roles-dies.html
  14. https://playbill.com/article/actress-nancy-marchand-is-dead-at-71-com-90058
  15. https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/21/theater/reviews-theater-light-banter-and-dark-feelings-in-gurney-s-cocktail-hour.html
  16. https://www.theaterhalloffame.org/members.html
  17. http://www.theaterhalloffame.org/members.html
  18. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0545408/bio/
  19. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jun-20-me-42824-story.html
  20. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/jun/21/guardianobituaries2
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075528/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0141842/
  23. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/67892/the-bachelor-party
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057242/
  25. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/me-natalie/cast/2000098303/
  26. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/tell-me-that-you-love-me-junie-moon/cast/2030344442/
  27. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-hospital/cast/2000278469/
  28. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bostonians
  29. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_naked_gun_from_the_files_of_police_squad
  30. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/regarding_henry/cast-and-crew
  31. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/brain-donors/cast/2000122471/
  32. https://watch.plex.tv/movie/reckless-1995
  33. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/sabrina/cast/2030053018/
  34. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jefferson_in_paris/cast-and-crew
  35. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/dear-god/cast/2030281583/
  36. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2000/06/20/actor-nancy-marchand-star-of-the-sopranos-dies-at-71/
  37. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10933/nancy-marchand
  38. https://nypost.com/2000/06/20/sopranos-mom-loses-her-fight-for-life/
  39. https://www.salon.com/2000/06/20/marchand/
  40. https://movieweb.com/the-sopranos-livia-death-necessary/
  41. https://www.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/04/emmy.marchand/
  42. https://emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1978/outstanding-supporting-actress-in-a-drama-series
  43. https://emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1980/outstanding-supporting-actress-in-a-drama-series
  44. https://emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1981/outstanding-supporting-actress-in-a-drama-series
  45. https://emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1982/outstanding-supporting-actress-in-a-drama-series
  46. https://emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1979/outstanding-supporting-actress-in-a-drama-series
  47. https://emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1999/outstanding-supporting-actress-in-a-drama-series
  48. https://emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2000/outstanding-supporting-actress-in-a-drama-series
  49. https://www.sagawards.org/awards-history/6th-screen-actors-guild-awards
  50. https://www.obieawards.com/events/1980s/year-89/
  51. https://playbill.com/person/nancy-marchand-vault-0000049470
  52. https://www.nytimes.com/1980/06/08/archives/outer-critics-circle-and-drama-desk-issue-awards.html
  53. https://playbill.com/production/the-octette-bridge-club-music-box-theatre-vault-0000002592
  54. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056712/
  55. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093051/
  56. https://www.obieawards.com/events/1960s/
  57. https://www.broadwayworld.com/shows/The-Cocktail-Hour-325611.html
  58. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/839a4150-6277-0130-5f99-58d385a7bbd0
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.