Mary Albright

Mary Albright
Jane Curtin as Dr. Mary Albright
First appearance	"Brains and Eggs"
Last appearance	"The Thing That Wouldn't Die: Part 2"
Created by	Bonnie and Terry Turner
Portrayed by	Jane Curtin Jodi Johnson (as a child in "Dick-In-Law")
Information
Aliases	Kiki Lyle
Species	Human
Gender	Female
Occupation	Anthropology professor
Title	Doctor of Philosophy
Family	George Albright (father - not biologically) Martha Albright (mother) Roy Albright (brother) Renata Albright (sister)
Significant other(s)	Dick Solomon
Relatives	Tiffany (niece)

Mary Margaret Albright is a fictional character who was played by Jane Curtin in the American situation comedy 3rd Rock from the Sun. She serves as a straight foil and love interest for the eccentric Dick Solomon.

Curtin was recruited to play Mary by friend Bonnie Turner after another actress was deemed too sweet for the part. Co-star John Lithgow said, "We really needed a very strong human comic presence. . . . Someone who could give it out and dish it out." Curtin had earlier worked with Bonnie and Terry Turner on Saturday Night Live and in the 1993 film Coneheads. She originally signed for just seven episodes, but soon agreed to extend her commitment. "I loved the character, but I also loved the sense of humor on the show," she later explained. "I had known John in New York, and I'm very comfortable with him. It made me laugh when John and I were working together -- there just would be puddles on the floor."

Reflecting on the show in 2005, Lithgow remarked "Jane was just perfect for it. She's a great comedy partner. She understands the role of a straight man; however, she also has a terrific streak of wildness herself so she creates this wonderful repressed character who occasionally spins out just as much as the aliens do."

Mary works as a professor of Anthropology at the fictional Pendelton State University in Rutherford, Ohio. For approximately six months during the sitcom's 4th season, Mary served as dean of Pendleton's School of Arts and Sciences. However, she lost this job and returned to her role as professor after she was caught breaking into friend and colleague Judith's office after Dick convinced her that Judith was after her job.

Mary and the 'father' of the alien group, who works at Pendelton as a physics professor, were forced to share an office. While Dick was attracted to her almost instantly, Mary took a long time to warm to Dick. After their initial success, Dick and Mary enjoyed an on-off relationship; Dick would often annoy Mary, causing her to grow angry and seemingly break up with him. However, in the next episode, they are nearly always back together (notable exception: when Dick was engaged to Mary, then discovered another alien had been sent to masquerade as his wife, leading Mary to believe he is committing polygamy. Even then, she forgave him.)