Nancy Marchand was an American actor who is best known for her roles in Lou Grant, The Sopranos, and Marty. Her career spanned over five decades and she received multiple accolades for her work in television and theater.
Personal and Family Life
Nancy Marchand was born on June 19, 1928, in Buffalo, New York. She was married to Paul Sparer from 1951 until his death in 1999, and they had three children together. Marchand was known for her dedication to her craft, often taking on challenging roles in both theater and television.
Career Highlights
Marchand began her acting career in theater, making her mark with a performance in Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” She appeared in numerous successful plays, winning accolades including Emmy Awards for her role in Lou Grant. Later in her career, she gained iconic status through her portrayal of Livia Soprano in HBO’s The Sopranos.
Death and Legacy
Nancy Marchand passed away on June 18, 2000, one day before her 72nd birthday, due to emphysema and lung cancer. Despite her death, she continued to be recognized in the media, including a posthumous appearance in The Sopranos using CGI technology. Her contributions to theater and television remain significant and inspirational.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Sparkling Cyanide | 1983-11-05 | Lucilla Drake |
| The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! | 1988-12-02 | Mayor |
| Marty | 1953-05-24 | Clara |
| Ladybug Ladybug | 1963-12-23 | Mrs. Andrews |
| Me, Natalie | 1969-07-13 | Mrs. Miller |
| Sabrina | 1995-12-15 | Maude Larrabee |
| Brain Donors | 1992-04-17 | Lillian Oglethorpe |
| Jefferson in Paris | 1995-03-31 | Madame Abbesse |
| Some Kind of Miracle | 1979-01-03 | Ruth Nicoff |
| The Golden Moment: An Olympic Love Story | 1980-05-25 | Vera Andreyev |
| Dear God | 1996-11-01 | Judge Kits Van Heynigan |
| The Hospital | 1971-12-14 | Mrs. Christie |
| After the Fall | 1974-01-02 | Rose, Quentin’s Mother |
| The Bostonians | 1984-05-01 | Mrs. Burrage |
| From the Hip | 1987-02-06 | Roberta Winnaker |
| The Bachelor Party | 1957-04-09 | The Sister-in-law [Julie] |
| Willa | 1979-03-17 | Mrs. Stanch |
| Little Women: Jo’s Story | 1950-12-25 | Jo March |
| Little Women: Meg’s Story | 1950-12-18 | Jo March |
| Mayerling | 1957-02-04 | Princess Stephanie |
| Reckless | 1995-11-17 | Grandmother |
| Soldier’s Home | 1977-01-01 | Mrs. Krebs |
| A Touch of the Poet | 1974-01-02 | Nora Melody |
| Look Homeward, Angel | 1972-01-01 | Madame Elizabeth |
| Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon | 1970-05-11 | Nurse Oxford |
| Once Upon a Family | 1980-01-22 | Mrs. Demerjian |
| Spearfield’s Daughter | 1986-05-25 | Claudine Roux |
| Kiss, Kiss, Dahlings | 1992-10-09 | The Grandmother |
| Television: The First Fifty Years | 1999-01-01 | Self (archive footage) |