RIP Marian Seldes

[iluvtheatertrash]

Marian Seldes has died. The triumphant, giving, extraordinary, kind, gracious, beautiful, talented actress and champion of her craft has left us. Rest in Peace. You were magnificent.

[iluvtheatertrash]

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Tony-Winner-Marian-Seldes-Passes-Away-at-86-20141006

[PalJoey]

[Jordan Catalano]

There was never a more living embodiment of the word "Class", than Mrs. Seldes. I imagine the residents of heaven are bowing to her as she enters through the gates tonight.

[CapnHook]

2014 really sucks. This year has taken away yet another talented treasure. RIP, Marian.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

^^^
What CapnHook said.

[iluvtheatertrash]

A gorgeous and very accurate sentiment, Jordan...

[FishermanBob]

I first came to be a fan of hers from the more than 200 episodes of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater she did in the 70's and early 80's. Such a talent. R.I.P.

[wonkit]

Such an elegant artist. Rest in peace, Ms. Seldes.

[Mr Roxy]

God are we taking one hit after another this year.

Had the good fortune to see her in a number of shows.Hopefully there will be no question with dimming the lights for her.She also shined in her TV work in the fifties. A great talent has been lost

R.I.P.

[hushpuppy]

I used to see her on the subway, riding along, holding the pole like any other New Yorker. Not long after I saw DEUCE, I was walking through the 42nd Street IND station and there she was, walking along, amongst the rush-hour crowds. I wondered if anyone but me even recognized the delicate, slender woman as Broadway royalty.

At the stage door of DEUCE she didn't have a pen, so I offered mine so that she could sign some Playbills. I had stepped aside to let others approach her, and when she was done, she looked around and asked 'Now, whose pen was this?'. A tiny gesture, but so thoughtful and considerate.

[James2]

I saw her onstage once in "Deuce." My family and I went to see Angela Lansbury, but we got a surprise treat in being exposed to this lovely human being. Not only did she give a great performance, but she was very gracious both at the stage door and two days later, when my mother bumped into her on the street. Ms. Seldes was on her way to the theatre, but she took the time to chat with Mom and she would have continued if she did not have to go inside.

Over a year later, after I began my freshman year at Fordham University, I saw her in the audience of a Juilliard production. I walked over to her at intermission to tell her about the "Deuce" experience, and she actually did remember my mother. She was also excited about me being a Fordham student, where she served as an adjunct professor. As we said goodbye, she took my hand in appreciation.

She could not have been lovelier.

[SNAFU]

I had the pleasure of working with her On Three Tall Woman when she took over The ZOld Lady role. She and her husband came to the studio for me to life cast her. She was so gracious and when her husband stated he was getting hungry. I ran out to get lunch for them. She was a trouper during the casting process and thanked me profusely. The show closed a short while later and she took it on tour. I received a lovely postcard from her on the road thanking me for my kindness to her and her husband.
I went on to work with her again on Play aAbout The Baby. Again gracious and wonderful to work with.
She came to the opening of The Emperor Jones and afterward came up to me afterwards and congrdulated me on the work and told me she thought Eugene O'Neill would be very, very pleased!
A class act to the bone! RIP dear Lady!

[Wilmingtom]

Just heartbreaking. She was a singular talent, transcending the realms of elegance and class and craft in a way very few have. The absolute end of an era.

[bjh2114]

RIP Marian. You were a legend, and I'm blessed that I had the privilege of seeing you perform. You will be missed.

[Will42]

Elaine Stritch, Lauren Bacall, Joan Rivers, Polly Bergen and now the great Marian Seldes...
This year is just beyond depressing.

RIP to a great actress and one classy lady.

[HorseTears]

One thing I love about her numerous Theater Talk and ATW appearances is how her sharp (and occasionally wicked) sense of humor shone through. What a wonderful lady.

[Addison D.]

I have so many wonderful memories of this extraordinary woman.

I will always remember, especially, her performance in 'Counting The Ways'. I've never experienced anything quite like it--she had us mesmerized, so utterly in her thrall, it was as though she had hypnotized the entire audience. With nothing but the slightest inclination of her head or the merest movement of her extended hand she made us all laugh. It was magical.

I always imagined I would have the opportunity to thank her for a lifetime of joy. (Beginning, for me, with those 'Radio Mystery Theater' broadcasts. I've had her wonderful voice in my head for a very long time...)

Rest in peace, great Lady.

[The Other One]

I am fortunate to have seen her in many plays and will always think of her as one of the theatre's greatest artists, but I am attaching a link to her Perry Mason episode from 1958, during the show's first season. No one was ever better at making you hate her. It's one of the show's all-time great episodes.

RIP, Marian.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wPCUQkDsc0

[dreaming]

I saw Ms. Seldes in Deuce with the great Angela Lansbury. I feel very lucky to have seen her in that. The elegance and grace of these two grand dames of the theater wasn't lost on me at the time.
RIP, Ms. Seldes

[Gothampc]

Marian was at one point in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the Broadway performer who stayed the longest in a single role.

She will be missed.

[LarryD2]

She was the very definition of class and grace. I worked with her briefly, about fifteen years ago, and she was so kind and professional towards everyone, from her co-stars down to the lowest person on the totem pole. She knew everyone's name and went out of her way to greet people and make them feel appreciated. And the Christmas after we worked together, she sent me a personal holiday note on her gorgeous monogrammed stationery. I had that note framed, and I will always treasure it.

[HorseTears]

Okay, this is weird. I know this is weird. But a friend of mine posted this^ photo of her tv on Facebook this morning. It's a screenshot of her tv set to WGN. Apparently, since yesterday evening, this one channel has been stuck on this freeze frame. Am I crazy or does this actress look like Marian? IS it Marian? If so, any idea what show/film this might be from?

[AC126748]

This story (attributed to Kim Hunter, see link) has always been my favorite about Ms. Seldes:

She's a lovely dame, and I use that term with respect. I like dames--they're regal and tough and real. I never believed that a play of mine had opened or happened until I saw her lovely black hair and alabaster face at my dressing-room door. At that point it was official! Her generosity is remarkable. Do you remember Olive Deering? That poor actress who was Alfred Ryder's sister? Well, Olive fell on hard times and pretty much took up residence on them, and she never had any money. I gave her money; everybody gave her money. Well, I went to see Marian in something and when we walked out of the stage door, there was Olive, looking pathetic and wan, and Marian reached into her purse and handed her an envelope, with Olive's name written in that tiny handwriting of hers. I asked about it at dinner. 'Oh, darling,' Marian said. 'I'm so lucky to be working and being paid well, and Olive needs it.' Olive Deering came to that stage door every week on payday and got her envelope. For years! That took my breath away. And Olive Deering was not the only one.
http://jamesgrissom.blogspot.com/2012/06/marian-seldes-benedictions.html

[jayinchelsea]

Many, many people could attest to the talent and graciousness of this amazing woman. I had the privilege of meeting her several times, both in my home as a guest of honor at a party, backstage after a performance, and most memorably, in the street. You would say hello, she would stop and chat with you, and ask how you were, and invite you to come back and see her in whatever play she was then doing. Her sincerity was real, and so was her talent. She had become one of the great ladies of the theatre in her later years, and no one could have deserved it more. RIP, dear lady.