Gail Marjorie Brown ( Ziegler; born October 11, 1937) is an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

former actress. She is best known for her role as Clarice Hobson on the NBC daytime soap opera '' Another World'' (1975–1986). She is the older sister of the late film actress Karen Black.

Early years

Brown was born Gail Ziegler and grew up in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, Illinois. She is a daughter of Elsie (

née A birth name is the name of a person given upon birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name, or the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a birth certificate or birth re ...

Reif), a writer, and Norman Arthur Ziegler, an engineer and businessman. Brown graduated from Maine Township High School East in 1955. Her younger sister was actress Karen Black. Before she became a professional entertainer, she worked as a hatcheck girl, a typist, and a waitress.

Career

Brown left home for New York, planning to become a professional dancer. She became an understudy and dancer in a national touring company of ''Funny Girl''. She also performed as Mimsey and as a showgirl in the Broadway production of that musical. Brown played the role of Clarice Hobson on the soap opera '' Another World'' from 1975–86 with sporadic on-off appearances following her departure. The role was notable for being the first comedic character on a daytime TV soap opera. In his book, ''Eight Years in Another World'', head writer

Harding Lemay Harding Lemay (March 16, 1922 – May 26, 2018), also known as Pete Lemay, was an American screenwriter and playwright. He was best known for his stint as head writer of the soap opera '' Another World''. Career Lemay was head writer of the s ...

stated that he intended the character of Clarice to last only two days, but he was so taken by Brown's performance that he decided to add the character to the storyline.

Personal

Brown took her professional name from her first husband, Michael Quinlan Brown, and actor and a writer. She was married to Brown from 1970–77. Since 1981 Brown has been married to Gordon Duggan, with whom she has two children, a son and daughter. Brown has written and illustrated short children stories, other short stories, and has been writing throughout her whole life. She plays piano and some guitar.

References

External links

* 1937 births Living people American soap opera actresses 20th-century American actresses American television actresses American stage actresses Broadway theatre people Place of birth missing (living people) 21st-century American women {{US-tv-actor-1930s-stub