Eleanor Delaney Wilson (September 9, 1908 – May 31, 2002) was an American Tony-nominated actress and artist, known for her roles in Reds (1981) and the Gore Vidal play Weekend (1968).
Eleanor D. Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Eleanor Delaney Wilson September 9, 1908 Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | May 31, 2002 (aged 93) |
| Alma mater | Hollins College |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, artist |
Early years
editWilson was born on September 9, 1908, in Chester, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Benny Y. Wilson and Florence Wetherill Wilson. After attending Mary Lyon School in Swarthmore,[1] she graduated from Hollins College with a degree in chemistry and went on to become an actress and artist.[2]
Career
editWilson's initial professional acting experience came with director Jasper Deeter at the Hedgerow Theatre. She went on to perform at the Alley Theatre in Houston, the Arena Theatre in Washington, D. C., and the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.[1]
Her Broadway roles include Weekend (1968), The Wayward Saint (1955), The Silver Whistle (1948), and The Eagle Has Two Heads (1947).[3] Her film roles include Alice's Restaurant (1969) and Reds (1981).[4] She retired from acting in 1984 and then focused on creating mathematical abstract paintings.[5]
Wilson was a member of Actors Equity's union council. During World War II, she toured with the USO.[1]
Wilson studied painting with Raphael Soyer at the New School and with Margaret Stark at the Museum of Modern Art.[6] Her works of art have been displayed at the Hudson Guild and Touchstone Gallery in New York City, Hollins University, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, Widener University, and Williams College Museum of Art.[1]
Death
editWilson died at her home in Williamstown, Massachusetts, of lung cancer on May 31, 2002.[7]
Legacy
edit- Wilson was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role as Mrs. Andrews in Weekend.[8]
- Wilson created and provided financial support for the Eleanor D. Wilson museum at her alma mater, Hollins University.[2]
- Wilson's estate provided a $100,000 gift to the Contemporary Artists Center in North Adams, Massachusetts.[6]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Alice's Restaurant | Landlady | |
| 1981 | Reds | Mrs. Reed | as John Reed's mother |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Eleanor D. Wilson, 93, Broadway actress, artist". The Berkshire Eagle. Massachusetts, Pittsfield. June 2, 2002. p. 14. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "The Eleanor D. Wilson Museum | Hollins University | Siddy". www.hollins.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
- ^ "Eleanor Wilson | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (4 December 1981). "BEATTY'S 'REDS,' WITH DIANE KEATON". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
- ^ Taylor, Markland (2002-07-30). "Eleanor Wilson". Variety. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
- ^ a b Gardner, Karen (February 22, 2003). "CAC announces $100,000 gift from Wilson estate". North Adams Transcript. p. 5. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Paid Notice: Deaths Wilson, Eleanor D. "Siddy"". The New York Times. 2002-06-02. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 5, 2018. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
- ^ The Tony Award : a complete listing of winners and nominees of the American Theatre Wing's Tony Award with a history of the American Theatre Wing. Stevenson, Isabelle, 1915-2003., Somlyo, Roy A. (Updated ed.). Portsmouth, N.H.: Heinemann. 2001. ISBN 9780325002941. OCLC 45879825.
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