Ann Wedgeworth

Biography

Ann Wedgeworth (January 21, 1934 – November 16, 2017) was an American actress celebrated for her dynamic performances across stage, film, and television. With a career spanning nearly five decades, she became known for portraying characters that were both endearing and complex, often infused with a Southern charm.

Early Life and Education

Born Elizabeth Ann Wedgeworth in Abilene, Texas, she grew up in Snyder and Perryton before moving to Dallas at age 12. She graduated from Highland Park High School in 1950, where she was a classmate of Jayne Mansfield. After earning a degree from the University of Texas in 1957, Wedgeworth moved to New York City to pursue acting, where she was admitted to The Actors Studio.

Theatre Career

Wedgeworth made her Broadway debut in 1958 and went on to perform in several productions, including Period of Adjustment, Blues for Mister Charlie, and Thieves. Her most notable stage achievement was her Tony Award-winning performance in Neil Simon’s Chapter Two (1978), where she portrayed the best friend of the lead character. She also received a Drama Desk Award nomination for her role in Sam Shepard’s A Lie of the Mind in 1985.

Film and Television Roles

Wedgeworth's film career began in the 1960s, with notable roles in Scarecrow (1973), Bang the Drum Slowly (1973), and Handle with Care (1977), the latter earning her the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress. In television, she is perhaps best known for her role as Lana Shields on the sitcom Three’s Company (1979), though her tenure was brief due to creative differences. She also starred in Filthy Rich (1982–1983) and portrayed Merleen Eldridge on Evening Shade (1990–1994), a role that earned her critical acclaim.

Personal Life

Wedgeworth was married to actor Rip Torn from 1955 to 1961, with whom she had a daughter, actress Danae Torn. She later married acting teacher and director Ernie Martin in 1970, and they had a daughter, actress and writer Diánna Martin. Wedgeworth passed away on November 16, 2017, at the age of 83, following a long illness.