Marian Seldes, one of the most celebrated and respected actresses of the American stage, passed away on October 6, 2014, at the age of 86. She died peacefully at her home in New York after an extended illness, according to her brother Timothy Seldes
Contents
A Remarkable Career in Theatre
Seldes made her Broadway debut in 1948, at the age of 17, in a production of Medea. She went on to have an illustrious career in which she earned five Tony Award nominations, winning her first time out in 1967 for her performance in A Delicate Balance. She also won a Drama Desk Award for Father’s Day. Her other Broadway credits include Equus, Ivanov, and Deuce. She was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1995 and received the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2010
Seldes also achieved a Guinness World Record for appearing in every one of the 1,809 Broadway performances of Ira Levin’s play Deathtrap, from 1978 to 1982, without taking any holiday or sick leave. She once said that theatre “defines my life, gives it shape and form”
A Versatile and Elegant Presence on Screen
Seldes also enjoyed some success as a screen actress, with roles in TV series such as Nurse Jackie, Frasier, and Sex and the City, where she played Mrs. Big. She also appeared in Murder, She Wrote with Angela Lansbury, with whom she shared her final major Broadway appearance in 2007. The actresses played a pair of former tennis professionals in a production of Deuce, which also marked Lansbury’s return to Broadway after a hiatus of 24 years
Seldes was known for her tall frame and liquid gestures, which gave her a commanding and elegant presence on stage and screen. She told an interviewer: “I’m not what you expect.”
A Beloved Teacher and Mentor
Seldes was not only a performer, but also a teacher and a mentor to many aspiring actors. She was a member of the drama faculty of The Juilliard School from 1967 to 1991, where she taught students such as Christopher Reeve, Robin Williams, Kelsey Grammer, Kevin Kline, William Hurt, Patti LuPone, Val Kilmer, and Kevin Spacey. She also taught at Fordham University, Lincoln Center
Actor Laura Linney said: “Marian is our touchstone to those theatrical ancestors. She provides an inspiration that makes you want to reach outside of yourself to something more potent and powerful.”
A Devoted Family Member and Friend
Seldes was born in Manhattan, the daughter of Alice Wadhams Hall, a socialite, and Gilbert Seldes, a journalist, author, and editor. Her uncle was journalist George Seldes. She had one brother, Timothy, who survives her
Seldes was married twice, first to Julian Claman, a television producer, from 1953 to 1961, with whom she had a daughter, Katharine, who also survives her. Her second husband was Garson Kanin, a writer and director, whom she married in 1990 and who died in 1999
Seldes was a loyal and generous friend to many in the theatre community, who mourned her loss and celebrated her legacy. She was described as “a rare and extraordinary actress” by Albee, “a theatrical institution” by Lansbury, and “a force of nature” by Spacey
Marian Seldes Cause of Death: A Loss for the Theatre World
Marian Seldes cause of death was not disclosed by her family, but it was reported that she had been suffering from a lengthy illness. She died at her home in New York, surrounded by her loved ones. She was 86 years old
Seldes left behind a remarkable body of work, a legacy of excellence, and a lasting impression on the theatre world. She was a legend, an icon, and an inspiration. She will be missed, but never forgotten
