Didi Conn
Encyclopedia
Didi Conn is an American
film, stage and television actress.
; her brother is opera singer Richard Bernstein.
She has been married to composer David Shire
since 1982, with whom she has a son, Daniel Shire, who has been diagnosed with autism. Conn is also stepmother to Matthew Shire, a Los Angeles screenwriter.
Conn provided the voice for Raggedy Ann in the 1977 animated feature, Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure
, directed by Richard Williams. Conn's "childlike" voice is one of her trademarks. She occasionally appeared as a celebrity guest on game shows like Match Game
, The $20,000 $25,000 and $100,000 Pyramids
, Chain Reaction
and Go
.
. On November 13, 2008, Conn was named national celebrity spokesperson for Autism Speaks
. Before that, Conn was a spokesperson for the National Alliance for Autism Research
, now part of Autism Speaks. She has performed at benefits for Foundation for Educating Children with Autism (FECA).
On September 27, 2008, Conn performed with David Shire
and Lynne Wintersteller
at a benefit performance for Barack Obama
in Nyack, New York
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film, stage and television actress.
Personal life
Conn was born in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of a clinical psychologist. "Didi" was her childhood nickname. She attended Midwood High SchoolMidwood High School
Midwood High School, at Brooklyn College, is a public, urban, co-ed high school located on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, New York City.Midwood High School was for many years the recipient of multiple accolades because of its competitive educational programs and for the achievements of its students...
; her brother is opera singer Richard Bernstein.
She has been married to composer David Shire
David Shire
David Lee Shire is an American songwriter and the composer of stage musicals, film and television scores. The soundtrack to the movie The Taking of Pelham 123 and parts of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack such as Night on Disco Mountain, an adaptation of Modest Mussorgsky's Night on Bald...
since 1982, with whom she has a son, Daniel Shire, who has been diagnosed with autism. Conn is also stepmother to Matthew Shire, a Los Angeles screenwriter.
Career
Conn made her debut as an actress in the 1960s. Her notable roles since the 1970s, when she first became prominent, include:- "Laurie Robinson" in You Light Up My Life, 1977
- "Frenchy" in the feature films
- GreaseGrease (film)Grease is a 1978 American musical film directed by Randal Kleiser and based on Warren Casey's and Jim Jacobs's 1971 musical of the same name about two lovers in a 1950s high school. The film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, and Jeff Conaway...
, 1978, starring John TravoltaJohn TravoltaJohn Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
and Olivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA... - Grease 2Grease 2Grease 2 is a 1982 American musical film and sequel to Grease, which is based upon the musical of the same name by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Grease 2 was produced by Allan Carr and Robert Stigwood, and directed and choreographed by Patricia Birch, who also choreographed the first film...
, 1982, starring Maxwell CaulfieldMaxwell CaulfieldMaxwell Caulfield is a British film, stage, and television actor who is based in the United States, known for his roles as Michael Carrington in Grease 2 and as Miles Colby in The Colbys and its parent show Dynasty . He has more than 70 film, stage and television credits. He starred in Ronald F...
and Michelle PfeifferMichelle PfeifferMichelle Marie Pfeiffer is an American actress. She made her film debut in 1980 in The Hollywood Knights, but first garnered mainstream attention with her performance in Brian De Palma's Scarface . Pfeiffer has won numerous awards for her work... - "Helen" on the 1976 television series The PracticeThe PracticeThe Practice is an American legal drama created by David E. Kelley centering on the partners and associates at a Boston law firm. Running for eight seasons from 1997 to 2004, the show won the Emmy in 1998 and 1999 for Best Drama Series, and spawned the successful and lighter spin-off series Boston...
- "Denise Stevens Downey" on the TV show BensonBenson (TV series)Benson is an American television sitcom which aired from September 13, 1979, to April 19, 1986, on ABC. The series was a spin-off from the soap opera parody Soap ; however, Benson discarded the...
, 1981–1985, with Robert GuillaumeRobert GuillaumeRobert "Bob" Guillaume is an American stage and television actor, best known for his role as Benson Du Bois on the TV-series Soap and the spin-off Benson, voicing the mandrill Rafiki in The Lion King and as Isaac Jaffe on Sports Night... - "Stacy Jones" on the children's TV show Shining Time StationShining Time StationShining Time Station is an American children's television series co-created by Britt Allcroft and Rick Siggelkow. The series was produced by The Britt Allcroft Company and Quality Family Entertainment in New York for New York City PBS Station WNET, and was filmed first in New York and then in Toronto...
, 1989–1993http://www.filmreference.com/film/99/Didi-Conn.html
Conn provided the voice for Raggedy Ann in the 1977 animated feature, Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure
Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure
Raggedy Ann and Andy: A Musical Adventure is a 1977 American animated film directed by Richard Williams. It was produced by the Bobbs-Merrill Company, and released by 20th Century Fox...
, directed by Richard Williams. Conn's "childlike" voice is one of her trademarks. She occasionally appeared as a celebrity guest on game shows like Match Game
Match Game
Match Game is an American television game show in which contestants attempted to match celebrities' answers to fill-in-the-blank questions...
, The $20,000 $25,000 and $100,000 Pyramids
Pyramid (game show)
Pyramid is an American television game show which has aired several versions. The original series, The $10,000 Pyramid, debuted March 26, 1973 and spawned seven subsequent Pyramid series...
, Chain Reaction
Chain Reaction (game show)
Chain Reaction is an American game show created by Bob Stewart, in which players compete to form chains composed of two-word phrases.The show aired three separate runs: Bill Cullen hosted the original series on NBC from January 14 to June 20, 1980...
and Go
Go (game show)
Go is an American television game show created by Bob Stewart and aired on NBC from October 3, 1983 to January 20, 1984. The show featured two teams, each composed of four contestants and a celebrity. The teams had to construct questions one word at a time to convey a word or phrase to their...
.
Activism
Conn's son Danny is diagnosed with autismAutism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
. On November 13, 2008, Conn was named national celebrity spokesperson for Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world's largest autism advocacy organization that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public. It was founded in February 2005 by Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric, and by his wife Suzanne, a...
. Before that, Conn was a spokesperson for the National Alliance for Autism Research
National Alliance for Autism Research
The National Alliance for Autism Research , based in Princeton, New Jersey, was a non-profit advocacy organization, founded by parents of children with autism concerned about the limited funding available for research.-Origins and activities:...
, now part of Autism Speaks. She has performed at benefits for Foundation for Educating Children with Autism (FECA).
On September 27, 2008, Conn performed with David Shire
David Shire
David Lee Shire is an American songwriter and the composer of stage musicals, film and television scores. The soundtrack to the movie The Taking of Pelham 123 and parts of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack such as Night on Disco Mountain, an adaptation of Modest Mussorgsky's Night on Bald...
and Lynne Wintersteller
Lynne Wintersteller
Lynne Wintersteller is an American actress best known for her work in the theatre. A gifted soprano, she has appeared in several musicals including starring in the original production of Maltby and Shire's hit Off-Broadway musical Closer Than Ever in 1989 at the Cherry Lane Theatre...
at a benefit performance for Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
in Nyack, New York
Nyack, New York
Nyack is a village in the towns of Orangetown and Clarkstown in Rockland County, New York, United States, located north of South Nyack; east of Central Nyack; south of Upper Nyack and west of the Hudson River, approximately 19 miles north of the Manhattan boundary, it is an inner suburb of New...
.
Notable roles on film and television
- 2011: GiganticGiganticGigantic may refer to:* Gigantic , a 2009 comedy film* "Gigantic" , a song by the Pixies* Gigantic an American literary magazine* Gigantic , a TV series on TeenNick...
... Herself - 2008: Law & Order: Special Victims UnitLaw & Order: Special Victims UnitLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
.... Nurse (2 episodes, 2008) "Authority" - 2008: Oh Baby! .... David's Mom
- 2006: Helen at Risk (V) .... Helen
- 2005: Shooting Vegetarians .... Patrice
- 2003: Stanley .... Mrs. Goldberg (1 episode, 2003)
- 2002: FridaFridaFrida is a 2002 biographical film which depicts the professional and private life of the surrealist Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. It stars Salma Hayek in her Academy Award nominated portrayal as Kahlo and Alfred Molina as her husband, Diego Rivera....
.... Waitress - 2000: Thomas and the Magic RailroadThomas and the Magic RailroadThomas and the Magic Railroad is a 2000 British/American film based on the well-known TV series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends and the United States TV series Shining Time Station. The film was co-produced by Gullane Entertainment and the Isle of Man Film Commission. It was written, produced...
.... Stacy Jones - 1996: The Flintstones Christmas in Bedrock (V) (voice) .... Additional Voices
- 1994: L.A. LawL.A. LawL.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
.... Ms. Tressman (1 episode, 1994) - 1993: A Flintstone Family ChristmasA Flintstone Family ChristmasA Flintstone Family Christmas is a 30-minute Christmas special for television based on the hit 1960s series The Flintstones. It first aired on ABC on December 18, 1993...
(TV) (voice) .... Stella - 1989: Shining Time StationShining Time StationShining Time Station is an American children's television series co-created by Britt Allcroft and Rick Siggelkow. The series was produced by The Britt Allcroft Company and Quality Family Entertainment in New York for New York City PBS Station WNET, and was filmed first in New York and then in Toronto...
.... Stacy Jones / ... (65 episodes, 1989–1993) - 1989: Mr Jones & Friends (1 episode, 1991)
- 1990: Shining Time Station: 'Tis a GiftShining Time Station: 'Tis A GiftShining Time Station: 'Tis A Gift is the Christmas special of the PBS television series Shining Time Station.It takes place during the Christmas season at Shining Time Station. The scene opens with Mr...
(TV) .... Stacy Jones - 1987: Highway to HeavenHighway to HeavenHighway to Heaven is an American television drama series which ran on NBC from 1984 to 1989.- Season 1 :- Season 2 :- Season 3 :- Season 4 :- Season 5 :...
.... Birdy Belker / ... (2 episodes, 1987) - 1987: Cagney & LaceyCagney & LaceyCagney & Lacey is an American television series that originally aired on the CBS television network for seven seasons from October 8, 1981 to May 16, 1988...
.... Roswell (1 episode, 1987) - 1985: Star FairiesStar FairiesStar Fairies was a doll toy series of the 1980s made by the Tonka company. The dolls had different costumes and personalities. Star Fairies was adapted into a televised cartoon movie, made by Hanna-Barbera in 1985...
(TV) (voice) .... Spice - 1985: HotelHotelA hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
.... Patty Maloney (1 episode, 1985) - 1981: BensonBenson (TV series)Benson is an American television sitcom which aired from September 13, 1979, to April 19, 1986, on ABC. The series was a spin-off from the soap opera parody Soap ; however, Benson discarded the...
.... Denise Florence Stevens Downey (72 episodes, 1981–1984) - 1984: ABC Weekend Specials .... Dimples (1 episode, 1984) - Bad Cat (1984) TV episode (voice) .... Dimples
- 1983: The Love BoatThe Love BoatThe Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain...
.... Jenny (1 episode, 1983) - 1983: The Magic Show .... Cal
- 1982: Grease 2Grease 2Grease 2 is a 1982 American musical film and sequel to Grease, which is based upon the musical of the same name by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Grease 2 was produced by Allan Carr and Robert Stigwood, and directed and choreographed by Patricia Birch, who also choreographed the first film...
.... Frenchy - 1982: American PlayhouseAmerican PlayhouseAmerican Playhouse is an anthology television series periodically broadcast by Public Broadcasting Service in the United States.It premiered on January 12, 1982 with The Shady Hill Kidnapping, written and narrated by John Cheever and directed by Paul Bogart...
.... Receptionist (1 episode, 1982) - 1981: VioletViolet (film)Violet is a 1981 short film directed by Shelley Levinson. It won an Academy Award in 1982 for Best Short Subject.-Cast:* Didi Conn - Violet* Patrick Dollaghan - Monty* Rodney Saulsberry - Flick* Tom McGowan - Dr. Pleasance* Belle Richter - Mrs...
.... Violet - 1980: The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang .... Cupcake (1 episode, 1980)
- 1980: Semi-ToughSemi-ToughSemi-Tough is a 1977 film directed by Michael Ritchie and starring Burt Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson, Jill Clayburgh, Lotte Lenya, Bert Convy, and Brian Dennehy. The plot involves a love triangle between the characters portrayed by Reynolds, Kristofferson and Clayburgh...
.... Kiki (1 episode, 1980) - 1979: Almost SummerAlmost SummerAlmost Summer is a 1978 motion picture directed by Martin Davidson, and produced by Motown Productions for Universal Pictures. It is the only Motown theatrical feature not to center around African-American characters...
.... Donna DeVito - 1978: GreaseGrease (film)Grease is a 1978 American musical film directed by Randal Kleiser and based on Warren Casey's and Jim Jacobs's 1971 musical of the same name about two lovers in a 1950s high school. The film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, and Jeff Conaway...
.... Frenchy - 1978: Murder at the Mardi Gras (TV) .... Julie Evans
- 1978: Three on a Date (TV) .... Eve Harris
- 1977: You Light Up My LifeYou Light Up My LifeYou Light Up My Life is a 1977 romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Joseph Brooks. The picture stars Didi Conn, Stephen Nathan and Michael Zaslow, and follows a girl named Laurie , who wants to be a singer. Soon, she finds herself pressed by young friends to sing and her father, who...
.... Laurie Robinson - 1977: Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical AdventureRaggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical AdventureRaggedy Ann and Andy: A Musical Adventure is a 1977 American animated film directed by Richard Williams. It was produced by the Bobbs-Merrill Company, and released by 20th Century Fox...
(voice) .... Raggedy Ann - 1976: The PracticeThe PracticeThe Practice is an American legal drama created by David E. Kelley centering on the partners and associates at a Boston law firm. Running for eight seasons from 1997 to 2004, the show won the Emmy in 1998 and 1999 for Best Drama Series, and spawned the successful and lighter spin-off series Boston...
.... Helen (18 episodes, 1976–1977) - 1975: The RookiesThe RookiesThe Rookies is an American crime drama series that aired on ABC from 1972 until 1976. It followed the exploits of three rookie police officers in an unidentified city for the fictitious Southern California Police Department .-History:...
.... Young Woman (1 episode, 1975) - 1975: Keep on Truckin (TV series)
- 1975: Happy DaysHappy DaysHappy Days is an American television sitcom that originally aired from January 15, 1974, to September 24, 1984, on ABC. Created by Garry Marshall, the series presents an idealized vision of life in mid-1950s to mid-1960s America....
.... Joyce (1 episode, 1975) - 1973: Genesis II (TV) .... TV Actress
- 1962: The JetsonsThe JetsonsThe Jetsons is a animated American sitcom that was produced by Hanna-Barbera, originally airing in prime-time from 1962–1963 and again from 1985–1987...
TV series .... Additional Voices (unknown episodes)