Marcia Wallace
| Marcia Wallace | |
|---|---|
Wallace at the 47th Emmy Awards on September 11, 1994
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| Born |
Marcia Karen Wallace November 1, 1942 Creston, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | October 25, 2013 (aged 70) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Pneumonia, sepsis, breast cancer |
| Alma mater | Parsons College |
| Occupation | Actress, voice artist, comedian |
| Years active | 1968–2013 |
| Spouse(s) | Dennis Hawley (1986–1992; his death) |
| Children | Michael "Mikey" Hawley (adopted) |
| Parent(s) |
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Marcia Karen Wallace (November 1, 1942 – October 25, 2013) was an American actress, voice artist, comedian, and game show panelist, primarily known for her roles in television situation comedies. She is perhaps best known for her roles as receptionist Carol Kester on the 1970s sitcom The Bob Newhart Show, and as the voice of elementary school teacher Edna Krabappel on the animated series The Simpsons, for which she won an Emmy in 1992. The role was retired after her death.
Wallace was known for her tall frame, red hair, and distinctive laugh. She had a career spanning five decades on TV, film, and stage. A frequent guest on The Merv Griffin Show, this led to her receiving a personal request to appear on a new network sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show, in a role created especially for her. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1985, she became a cancer activist, and remained so throughout her life.
Marcia Karen Wallace was born in Creston, Iowa, on November 1, 1942, the eldest of three children of Arthur "Poke" Wallace and wife Joann. Her father owned and operated "Wallace Sundries", a general merchandise store, where Marcia, her sister Sharon, and brother Jim would often help out. While in high school, a teacher encouraged Wallace to consider a career in acting after she did well in a school play. Prior to that, Wallace had been interested in journalism. Following graduation from Creston High School, Wallace attended Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, which had offered her a full scholarship. She was a member of the Delta Nu Chapter of Delta Zeta sorority. At Parsons, she majored in English and Theater, performing in such productions as Brigadoon and The Music Man.
On the day she graduated from college, Wallace moved from Iowa to New York with $148 in her pocket. To make ends meet, she typed scripts, performed in , did commercials, and worked as a substitute English teacher in the Bronx. After performing for a year in a Greenwich Village nightclub, Wallace and four fellow entertainer friends formed an improvisational group called The Fourth Wall. In 1968, Wallace appeared for a year off-Broadway with the group. Afterwards, she made several other appearances in improvisational shows, and, after losing 100 pounds (45 kg) from her previous weight of 230, appeared in a nude production of Dark of the Moon at the avant-garde Mercer Arts Center.
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