Actress. Born in Ilion, New York, she was a founding member of the legendary Group Theatre of New York City in 1931, appearing in several of its productions, including Clifford Odets' "Awake and Sing!" and "Golden Boy." Spent most of her professional life in New York, although she and her husband, actor Morris Carnovsky, moved to Hollywood in 1942, where she was a member of the Actor's Lab theater and established her reputation as a gifted and passionate teacher of acting. In 1952 she and her husband were among eight people named as communists by Elia Kazan, a former Group Theater member, during the McCarthy hearings in 1952, after which both were blacklisted from movies. She then returned to theatre work in New York City. After decades on the stage, made her movie debut at age 86 with a small role in "Vanya on 42nd Street," directed by Louis Malle. A passionate teacher of acting to the end, she held her last classes in her hospital room. Died of complications from pneumonia in New York City.
Actress. Born in Ilion, New York, she was a founding member of the legendary Group Theatre of New York City in 1931, appearing in several of its productions, including Clifford Odets' "Awake and Sing!" and "Golden Boy." Spent most of her professional life in New York, although she and her husband, actor Morris Carnovsky, moved to Hollywood in 1942, where she was a member of the Actor's Lab theater and established her reputation as a gifted and passionate teacher of acting. In 1952 she and her husband were among eight people named as communists by Elia Kazan, a former Group Theater member, during the McCarthy hearings in 1952, after which both were blacklisted from movies. She then returned to theatre work in New York City. After decades on the stage, made her movie debut at age 86 with a small role in "Vanya on 42nd Street," directed by Louis Malle. A passionate teacher of acting to the end, she held her last classes in her hospital room. Died of complications from pneumonia in New York City.
Bio by: Fred Beisser
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