Ann Wedgeworth
Encyclopedia
Ann Wedgeworth is a Tony award winning American
actress, best known for her role as Lahoma Vane Lucas on the daytime dramas Another World
(1967–1970) and Somerset
(1970–1973).
.
in 1979
as Lana Shields
and was promptly written out of the series in mid-season with no explanation given in the story for Lana's disappearance.
Wedgeworth revealed to author Chris Mann that she wasn't "fired" but asked to be let go. After shooting a couple of episodes of Three's Company, Wedgeworth said some of the cast members were complaining about the size of her role. She said afterwards, her part dwindled down to practically "nothing". Wedgeworth asked the producers to write the part of Lana back to the way it was intended and promised to be, or else release her from the show so she could pursue other opportunities. The producers thereupon released her from the show.
. In 1978, she won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress in Neil Simon
's Chapter Two
.
She also had a role on the sitcom Evening Shade
, as well as a walk-on role on Roseanne where she played Dan Conner's mother. In 1982, she worked with Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
in her first series, Filthy Rich, playing ditsy, good-natured Bootsie Westchester. In 1986 she had a memorable role as a nasty toy store saleswoman in an episode of The Twilight Zone
.
Throughout the 1980s, Wedgworth took many supporting roles in films. She played Patsy Cline's feisty mother, Hilda Hensley, in the 1985 biopic Sweet Dreams. Also in 1985, Wedgeworth appeared in the TV movie Right to Kill?
. In 1987 she appeared as a mother who is unknowingly reunited with her dead son in Made in Heaven, and she appeared in A Tiger's Tale
that same year. In 1989 she portrayed Aunt Fern in the box office hit Steel Magnolias
, directed by her friend Herbert Ross
, who also directed her in her Tony-winning role in Chapter Two
. She also appeared in the 1991 film Hard Promises
.
Most recently, Wedgeworth was seen in The Hawk Is Dying
, with Paul Giamatti
, shown at the Sundance Film Festival
.
in 1955. They have a daughter, actress Danae Torn. The couple divorced in 1961. In 1970 she married acting teacher and director Ernie Martin, and they have a daughter, actress/acting teacher/writer Dianna Martin.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress, best known for her role as Lahoma Vane Lucas on the daytime dramas Another World
Another World (TV series)
Another World is an American television soap opera that ran on NBC from May 4, 1964 to June 25, 1999. It ran for a total of 35 years. It was created by Irna Phillips along with William J...
(1967–1970) and Somerset
Somerset (TV series)
Somerset is an American television soap opera which ran on NBC from March 30, 1970 until December 31, 1976. The show was a spinoff of another NBC serial, Another World.-Overview :...
(1970–1973).
Early life
She attended the University of Texas and was a childhood friend and high school classmate of Jayne MansfieldJayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield was an American actress working both in Hollywood and on the Broadway theatre...
.
Three's Company
Wedgeworth later joined the cast of Three's CompanyThree's Company
Three's Company is an American sitcom that aired from March 15, 1977, to September 18, 1984, on ABC. It is based on the British sitcom, Man About the House....
in 1979
1979 in television
The year 1979 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1979.For the American TV schedule, see: 1979-80 American network television schedule.-Events:...
as Lana Shields
Lana Shields
Lana Shields was a short-lived character on Three's Company played by Ann Wedgeworth.-Background:Lana, a bosomy, amorous, and somewhat older neighbor has an unrequited crush on Jack Tripper. She is constantly flirting with Jack and trying to seduce him as Jack tries his best to avoid her. Mr...
and was promptly written out of the series in mid-season with no explanation given in the story for Lana's disappearance.
Wedgeworth revealed to author Chris Mann that she wasn't "fired" but asked to be let go. After shooting a couple of episodes of Three's Company, Wedgeworth said some of the cast members were complaining about the size of her role. She said afterwards, her part dwindled down to practically "nothing". Wedgeworth asked the producers to write the part of Lana back to the way it was intended and promised to be, or else release her from the show so she could pursue other opportunities. The producers thereupon released her from the show.
Later career
In 1973 she had a supporting role as Frenchy in the film ScarecrowScarecrow (1973 film)
Scarecrow is a 1973 road movie starring Gene Hackman and Al Pacino.-Synopsis:The story revolves around the odd relationship between two vagabonds: Max Milian , a short-tempered ex-convict, and Francis Lionel "Lion" Delbuchi , a childlike ex-sailor...
. In 1978, she won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress in Neil Simon
Neil Simon
Neil Simon is an American playwright and screenwriter. He has written numerous Broadway plays, including Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, and The Odd Couple. He won the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Lost In Yonkers. He has written the screenplays for several of his plays that...
's Chapter Two
Chapter Two
Chapter Two is a semi-autobiographical play by Neil Simon. The plot focuses on George Schneider, a recently widowed writer who is introduced to soap opera actress Jennie Malone by his press agent brother Leo and her best friend Faye. Jennie's unhappy marriage to a football player has dissolved...
.
She also had a role on the sitcom Evening Shade
Evening Shade
Evening Shade was an American sitcom television series that aired on CBS from 1990 to 1994. The series starred Burt Reynolds as Wood Newton, an ex-professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who returns to rural Evening Shade, Arkansas to coach a high school football team with a long...
, as well as a walk-on role on Roseanne where she played Dan Conner's mother. In 1982, she worked with Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Linda Bloodworth-Thomason is an American writer and television producer....
in her first series, Filthy Rich, playing ditsy, good-natured Bootsie Westchester. In 1986 she had a memorable role as a nasty toy store saleswoman in an episode of The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone is an American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. Each episode is a mixture of self-contained drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist...
.
Throughout the 1980s, Wedgworth took many supporting roles in films. She played Patsy Cline's feisty mother, Hilda Hensley, in the 1985 biopic Sweet Dreams. Also in 1985, Wedgeworth appeared in the TV movie Right to Kill?
Right to Kill?
The movie Right to Kill? is based on a true story of two teens Richard Jahnke and Deborah Jahnke, who were charged in Wyoming for the killing of their psychotically abusive father, Richard Jahnke, Sr. The made-for-TV movie was filmed at W.W. Samuell High School in Dallas, Texas in 1985 and aired...
. In 1987 she appeared as a mother who is unknowingly reunited with her dead son in Made in Heaven, and she appeared in A Tiger's Tale
A Tiger's Tale
A Tiger's Tale is a 1987 film written and directed by Peter Douglas, based on the novel Love and Other Natural Disasters by Allen Hannay III.-Plot:...
that same year. In 1989 she portrayed Aunt Fern in the box office hit Steel Magnolias
Steel Magnolias
Steel Magnolias is a 1989 American comedy-drama film directed by Herbert Ross that stars Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, Daryl Hannah and Julia Roberts....
, directed by her friend Herbert Ross
Herbert Ross
Herbert Ross was an American film director, producer, choreographer and actor.-Early life and career:Born Herbert David Ross in Brooklyn, New York, he made his stage debut as Third Witch with a touring company of Macbeth in 1942...
, who also directed her in her Tony-winning role in Chapter Two
Chapter Two
Chapter Two is a semi-autobiographical play by Neil Simon. The plot focuses on George Schneider, a recently widowed writer who is introduced to soap opera actress Jennie Malone by his press agent brother Leo and her best friend Faye. Jennie's unhappy marriage to a football player has dissolved...
. She also appeared in the 1991 film Hard Promises
Hard Promises (1991 film)
Hard Promises is a 1991 film directed by Martin Davidson. It stars Sissy Spacek and William Petersen.-Plot:A man who doesn't like stable work environments has been away for too many years when he finds out his wife has divorced him and is planning to remarry...
.
Most recently, Wedgeworth was seen in The Hawk Is Dying
The Hawk is Dying
The Hawk Is Dying is a 2006 film based on the book by Harry Crews. It was accepted to the 2006 Director's Fortnight Competition at the Cannes Film Festival...
, with Paul Giamatti
Paul Giamatti
Paul Edward Valentine Giamatti is an American actor. Giamatti began his career as a supporting actor in several films produced during the 1990s including Private Parts, The Truman Show, Saving Private Ryan, The Negotiator, and Man on the Moon, before earning lead roles in several projects in the...
, shown at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
.
Personal life
She married Rip TornRip Torn
Elmore Rual "Rip" Torn, Jr. , is an American actor of stage, screen and television.Torn received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1983 film Cross Creek. His work includes the role of Artie, the producer, on The Larry Sanders Show, for which he was nominated...
in 1955. They have a daughter, actress Danae Torn. The couple divorced in 1961. In 1970 she married acting teacher and director Ernie Martin, and they have a daughter, actress/acting teacher/writer Dianna Martin.