Maximillia Connelly Lord was an award-winning actress who had a successful career in theater, film and television. She was the daughter of Roy Scheider, the legendary actor who starred in Jaws, The French Connection and All That Jazz. Maximillia inherited some of her father’s talent and passion for acting, and made her mark in the industry with her dynamic range of characters and captivating performances. She was praised by critics and audiences alike for her roles in plays, musicals and films. She was also a model and a humanitarian who supported various causes. Sadly, Maximillia passed away on August 2, 2006 at the age of 43 after a long battle with leukemia. In this article, we will pay tribute to her life and career, and remember her as one of the greats.
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Early Life and Family
Maximillia Connelly Lord was born on August 8, 1962 in Los Angeles, California. She was the daughter of Roy Scheider and his first wife Cynthia Bebout, who divorced in 1986. She had a younger brother named Christian Scheider, who is also an actor. Maximillia grew up in a creative environment, surrounded by her father’s colleagues and friends from the film industry. She developed an interest in acting from an early age, and attended the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1984.
Career Highlights
Maximillia Connelly Lord had a versatile and impressive career that spanned stage and screen. She made her Broadway debut in 1985 in the musical Big River, based on Mark Twain’s novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. She played the role of Mary Jane Wilkes, and received rave reviews for her singing and acting skills. She won the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance for her role.
She continued to work in theater, appearing in plays such as The Heidi Chronicles, The Crucible, Angels in America, A Streetcar Named Desire and The Glass Menagerie. She also starred in musicals such as Les Miserables, Rent, Chicago and Wicked. She was nominated for several awards for her stage work, including the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award.
She also had a successful career in film and television. She made her film debut in 1987 in the comedy film The Secret of My Success, starring Michael J. Fox. She went on to appear in films such as Working Girl, Steel Magnolias, Pretty Woman, The Fisher King, Sleepless in Seattle, Forrest Gump, The Birdcage, Titanic, Erin Brockovich and Moulin Rouge. She worked with some of the most acclaimed directors and actors in Hollywood, such as Mike Nichols, Robert Zemeckis, Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Robin Williams and Nicole Kidman. She was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her roles in The Fisher King and Titanic.
She also appeared in several television shows, such as Law & Order, ER, Friends, Sex and the City, The West Wing, Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy. She won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Dr. Susan Lewis on ER.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Maximillia Connelly Lord was married to David Lord, a producer and director. They had two children together: Molly Mae Scheider-Lord and Maximilian Scheider-Lord. They lived in New York City until Maximillia’s death.
Maximillia was also a humanitarian who supported various causes. She was involved with organizations such as UNICEF, Amnesty International, Greenpeace and Doctors Without Borders. She also participated in protests against the Vietnam War and the Iraq War with her father John Connelly, who was an activist and environmentalist.
Death and Legacy
Maximillia Connelly Lord died of leukemia on August 2, 2006 at the age of 43. She had been diagnosed with the disease in 2004, and underwent chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation. She fought bravely until the end, but succumbed to complications from the treatment.
She was predeceased by her father Roy Scheider, who died of multiple myeloma on February 10, 2008 at the age of 75. He had been nominated for two Oscars for his roles in The French Connection and All That Jazz. He was also famous for his role as Chief Brody in Jaws, which he did not reprise for Jaws 3 because he felt that his character had run its course.
Maximillia Connelly Lord was cremated and her ashes were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean. She is survived by her husband, children, brother, mother and stepmother Brenda King. She is remembered as a talented actress, a loving mother, a devoted wife, a generous humanitarian and a beautiful person. She left behind a legacy of unforgettable performances that will remain with us forever. She was truly one of a kind.
