Marjorie Ellen Mahoney Dusay (; née Mahoney; February 20, 1936 – January 28, 2020) was an American actress known for her roles on American

soap opera A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored ...

s. She was especially known for her role as Alexandra Spaulding on ''

Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. It is listed in ''Guinness World Records'' as the third longest-running drama in television in American history. ''Guiding Light'' a ...

'', a role she played on and off from 1993 through the show's 2009 cancellation, as well as the wife of Douglas MacArthur in the 1977 movie '' MacArthur''.

Career

In 1967, Dusay was a member of the Session, an improvisational comedy group in Los Angeles. Her dramatic debut occurred December 21, 1967, in an episode of television's ''

Cimarron Strip ''Cimarron Strip'' is an American Western television series starring Stuart Whitman as Marshal Jim Crown. The series was produced by the creators of ''Gunsmoke'', and aired on CBS from September 1967 to March 1968. Reruns of the original show ...

''. She appeared in the film '' Sweet November'' (1968). Dusay started her career with a small role as a waitress alongside

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...

in the film '' Clambake'' in 1967. In 1968, Dusay played a special agent in the TV series '' Hawaii Five-O'', in an episode titled "Twenty-Four Karat Kill". In 1969, Dusay played a woman who agrees to testify against a mobster in "The Singapore File", as well as appearing three times as seductive temptresses on ''

Hogan's Heroes ''Hogan's Heroes'' is an American television sitcom set in a Nazi German prisoner-of-war (POW) camp during World War II. It ran for 168 episodes (six seasons) from September 17, 1965, to April 4, 1971, on the CBS network, the longest broadcast ...

''. In 1968-69 she played Gloria in the CBS comedy '' Blondie''. She made numerous guest appearances on popular television shows in the late 1960s and 1970s. She played alien Kara in " Spock's Brain", the first episode of season three of ''

Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vario ...

''. In it, Dusay delivered arguably one of the most memorable lines of the original ''Star Trek'': "Brain and brain—what is brain?!" She was a popular guest at ''Star Trek'' fan conventions, often appearing with personal friend and fellow ''Star Trek'' actor

Michael Dante Michael Dante (born Ralph Vitti; September 2, 1931) is an American actor and former professional minor league baseball player. Early life Dante was born Ralph Vitti in Stamford, Connecticut. Growing up, he would sneak into a local movie theater ...

. She appeared on ''

Daniel Boone Daniel Boone (September 26, 1820) was an American pioneer and frontiersman whose exploits made him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. He became famous for his exploration and settlement of Kentucky, which was then beyond the w ...

'' in its 1969 episode "Benvenuto... Who?" as a beautiful French diamond thief named Eugenie. She starred as

Jean MacArthur Jean Marie MacArthur ( Faircloth; December 28, 1898 – January 22, 2000) was the second wife of U.S. Army General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. Early life and education Born Jean Marie Faircloth in Nashville, Tennessee, she was the d ...

in the 1977 film '' MacArthur'', and guest-starred as Blair Warner's mother, Monica Warner, on '' The Facts of Life''. In 1982, she appeared as Kate Hanrahan, a madam/con artist, in several episodes of '' Bret Maverick'', in 1982-1983, she portrayed Beverly Tepperman in '' Square Pegs'', and in 1979 she was Jennifer in ''Stop Susan Williams''. Already an established actress when she began her long career on daytime TV, she made her soap debut in April 1983, replacing

Carolyn Jones Carolyn Sue Jones (April 28, 1930 – August 3, 1983) was an American actress of television and film. Jones began her film career in the early 1950s, and by the end of the decade had achieved recognition with a nomination for an Academy ...

as the powerful Washington, DC, matriarch Myrna Clegg on ''

Capitol A capitol, named after the Capitoline Hill in Rome, is usually a legislative building where a legislature meets and makes laws for its respective political entity. Specific capitols include: * United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. * Numerou ...

'', which she played through the final episode in March 1987. As the rival of the kindly Clarissa McCandless ( Constance Towers), she had a part in practically every storyline, as well as a steady leading man in veteran film actor Richard Egan. Dusay received two Supporting Actress ''Soap Opera Digest'' nominations for this part. She then took over for Shirley Anne Field as the troubled Pamela Pepperidge Capwell Conrad on '' Santa Barbara'' from 1987–88 and in 1991. As C.C. Capwell's first wife and Mason Capwell's mother, she also became the mother-in-law to Mason's half-sister, Kelly, who married Pamela's other son, Jeffrey Conrad. A brief affair with C.C. ended badly, causing Pamela to go insane and try to kill Kelly. Her 1991 return had Pamela seemingly recovered, but quickly slipping back into insanity when Mason took her to C.C.'s for a surprise dinner. In 1993, she filled in for

Louise Sorel Louise Jacqueline Sorel (née Cohen, born August 6, 1940) is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Vivian Alamain in ''Days of Our Lives'' from 1992 to 2000, 2009 to 2011, 2017 to 2018, and 2020, Augusta Wainwright on '' ...

as " Vivian Alamain" on ''

Days of Our Lives ''Days of Our Lives'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that streams on the streaming service Peacock (streaming service), Peacock. The soap, which aired on ...

'' while Sorel was on medical leave. After a nationwide search for an actress to take over for the enormously popular Beverlee McKinsey, Dusay began as Alexandra Spaulding on ''Guiding Light'' in August 1993, remaining on the show until March 1997. She returned for a brief stint from November 1998-February 1999, but could not resist the chance to create her own part. Summer 1999, Dusay starred in Andrew Repasky McElhinney's period art-slasher film, '' A Chronicle of Corpses'' (released 2001). The film made a "festival splash" and was praised by

Dave Kehr David Kehr (born 1953) is an American museum curator and film critic. For many years a critic at the ''Chicago Reader'' and the ''Chicago Tribune,'' he later wrote a weekly column for ''The New York Times'' on DVD releases. He later became a c ...

of ''The New York Times'' as belonging "to the small but significant tradition of outsider art in American movies - films like

Herk Harvey Harold Arnold "Herk" Harvey (June 3, 1924 – April 3, 1996) was an American film director, screenwriter, actor and film producer. Early life Harvey was born in Windsor, Colorado, the son of Everett and Minnie R. Prewitt Harvey. He grew up in ...

's ''

Carnival of Souls ''Carnival of Souls'' is a 1962 American independent horror film produced and directed by Herk Harvey and written by John Clifford from a story by Clifford and Harvey, and starring Candace Hilligoss. Its plot follows Mary Henry, a young woma ...

'' or

George Romero George may refer to: People * George (given name) * George (surname) * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Washington, First President of the United States * George W. Bush, 43rd Pres ...

's ''

Night of the Living Dead ''Night of the Living Dead'' is a 1968 American independent horror film directed, photographed, and edited by George A. Romero, with a screenplay by John Russo and Romero, and starring Duane Jones and Judith O'Dea. The story follows seven p ...

'' - that reflect powerful personalities formed outside any academic or professional tradition.” Dusay was praised for her performance as "Grandmother Elliot" in ''A Chronicle of Corpses'' which culminates in a ''tour de force'' seven-minute monologue for her character. Dusay received uniformly good notices and several acting awards for her work in ''A Chronicle of Corpses'' the including winning the prestigious Silver Unicorn for Best Actor ("Unicornio de plata a la mejor Interpretación" — the highest acting honor) at The 3rd Annual Estepona Fantastic Film Festival (held in Spain 23–29 September 2002). ''A Chronicle of Corpses'' was named one of the Top Ten Movies of the Year by ''The New York Times'' and ''The Village Voice'' and its original camera negative is in the permanent collection of MoMA - The Museum of Modern Art (New York). On the occasion of her death, ''

Film International ''Film International'' is a quarterly academic journal (with a companion site, FilmInt, containing exclusive content) covering film studies. Established in 1973 (in Swedish), ''Film International'' became an English-language journal in 2003. It is ...

'' published a fond remembrance of Marj Dusay by ''A Chronicle of Corpses'' writer/director McElhinney. Marj finally originated a soap role as the evil Vanessa Bennett on ''

All My Children ''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 2013, via Hulu, Hulu Plus, and ...

'' from 1999-2002. As the mother of Dr. David Hayward ( Vincent Irizarry, her co-star from ''Guiding Light'') and Leo DuPres (

Josh Duhamel Joshua David Duhamel (; born November 14, 1972) is an American actor and former fashion model. After various modeling work, he made his acting debut as Leo du Pres on the ABC daytime soap opera ''All My Children'' and later starred as Danny Mc ...

), she also became Palmer Cortlandt's last wife, giving her another legendary leading man in James Mitchell. After Vanessa's supposed demise after she was revealed to be a drug lord, Marj was persuaded to come back to the Guiding Light, this time replacing

Joan Collins Dame Joan Henrietta Collins (born 23 May 1933) is an English actress, author and columnist. Collins is the recipient of several accolades, including a Golden Globe Award, a People's Choice Award, two Soap Opera Digest Awards and a Primetime ...

, who left three months into a six-month contract. In late May 2005, Dusay was one of several cast members taken off contract due to budget cuts. The show later asked her to remain with the show on recurring status. Owing to her popularity in the role, Dusay was given a front-burner storyline in 2006 that had Alexandra marrying a younger man to keep him in the country and scheming to keep him out of a younger woman's bed. While her appearances were greatly reduced after this story ended, she began appearing more upon the return of

Grant Aleksander Grant Aleksander Kunkowski (born August 6, 1960), better known as Grant Aleksander, is an American actor. Early life Aleksander was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and was the youngest of three brothers. He was well known at McDonogh School as b ...

(Philip Spaulding) in 2009. CBS announced that ''Guiding Light'' was being cancelled on April 1, 2009, with the last show set to air in September. She appeared in the final episode of ''Guiding Light'', which aired on September 18, 2009. The character of Alexandra had a "happy ending" when old lover Fletcher Reed came to squire her off on a round-the-world cruise to help her deal with the death of her brother.

Personal life

In 1955, she married John Dusay, a physician. They had a son and a daughter, Debra, who is an actress. The marriage ended in divorce in 1962. In 1967, she married Thomas Perine, who died in 1987. Beginning in 1984, Dusay sponsored the Marj Dusay Celebrity Golf Tournament in Russell, Kansas. The event was designated as a fundraiser for the Kansas Child Abuse Prevention Centers and for establishing a statewide hotline. On January 28, 2020, Dusay died at the age of 83.

Partial TV and filmography

*'' Clambake'' (1967) as Waitress *''Year 1999 A D.'' (1967 short) as Karen *''

The Wild Wild West ''The Wild Wild West'' is an American Western, espionage, and science fiction television series that ran on the CBS television network for four seasons from September 17, 1965, to April 11, 1969. Two satirical comedy television film sequels ...

'' (1967-1968, TV series) as Dolores Hammond / Crystal Fair *'' Sweet November'' (1968) as Carol *''

'' (1968, episode "Spock's Brain") as Kara *''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 13, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 432 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running western, the second-longest-running western series on ...

'' (1968-1969, TV Series) as April Horn / Stephanie Regan *'' Hawaii Five-O'' (1968-1969, TV series) as Nicole Wylie / Andrea Claire Dupre *''

'' (1968-1970, TV series) as Countess Marlene / Baroness von Krimm / Heidi Eberhardt *''

Pendulum A pendulum is a weight suspended from a wikt:pivot, pivot so that it can swing freely. When a pendulum is displaced sideways from its resting, Mechanical equilibrium, equilibrium position, it is subject to a restoring force due to gravity that ...

'' (1969) as Liz Tennant *''Dead of Night: A Darkness at Blaisedon'' (1969, TV movie, Dan Curtis production-TV movie pilot] as Angela Martin *''

Family Affair ''Family Affair'' is an American sitcom starring Brian Keith and Sebastian Cabot that aired on CBS from September 12, 1966, to March 4, 1971. The series explored the trials of well-to-do engineer and bachelor Bill Davis (Keith) as he attempt ...

'' (1970, episode "The Unsinkable Mr. French") as Dana Markham *'' The Odd Couple'' (1971, episode "What Does a Naked Lady Say To You") as Madelyn *'' Getting Together'' (1971, episode "All Shook Up") *''

Mannix ''Mannix'' is an American detective television series that ran from 1967 to 1975 on CBS. It was created by Richard Levinson and William Link, and developed by executive producer Bruce Geller. The title character, Joe Mannix, is a private in ...

'' (1971, episode "A Gathering of Ghosts") *''

McMillan & Wife ''McMillan & Wife'' (known simply as ''McMillan'' from 1976–77) is an American police procedural television series that aired on NBC from September 17, 1971, to April 24, 1977. Starring Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James in the title roles, the ...

'' (1972, episode "The Face of Murder") as Eloise Simms *''Thirty Dangerous Seconds'' (1973) as Patricia Randolph *'' Breezy'' (1973) as Betty Tobin *'' MacArthur'' (1977) as

*''

Wheels A wheel is a circular component that is intended to rotate on an axle bearing. The wheel is one of the key components of the wheel and axle which is one of the six simple machines. Wheels, in conjunction with axles, allow heavy objects to be ...

'' (1978, TV miniseries) as Caroline Horton *'' Stop Susan Williams!'' (1979, TV series) as Jennifer Selden *'' The Facts of Life'' (1981-1987, TV series, recurring) as Monica Warner *''

'' (1983-1987, TV series) as Myrna Clegg *''

Dallas Dallas () is the List of municipalities in Texas, third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of metropolitan statistical areas, fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 ...

'' (1985, TV series) as Bernice Billings *'' Made in Heaven'' (1987) as Mrs. Packert *'' Santa Barbara'' (1987-1991, TV series) as Pamela Capwell Conrad *''

'' (1987-2009, TV series) as Alexandra Spaulding / Radio Show Organist (final appearance) *''

Murder, She Wrote ''Murder, She Wrote'' is an American crime drama television series, created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson and William Link, starring Angela Lansbury, and produced and distributed by Universal Television for the CBS network. The ser ...

'' (1989-1992, TV series) as Miriam Bowman / Alice Reynard Carson *'' Friday the 13th: The Series'' (1990, episode "Spirit of Television") as Ilsa Van Zandt *''

'' (1993, TV series, temporary replacement, replacing Louise Sorel while she was away) as Vivian Alamain *'' Siao Yu'' (1995) as Rita *'' Love Walked In'' (1997) as Mrs. Moore *''

12 Bucks 1 (one, unit, unity) is a number representing a single or the only entity. 1 is also a numerical digit and represents a single unit of counting or measurement. For example, a line segment of ''unit length'' is a line segment of length ...

'' (1998) as Oldie *''

'' (1998-2002, TV series) as Vanessa Bennett Hayward Cortlandt *'' A Chronicle of Corpses'' (2000) as Grandmother Elliot *''Pride & Loyalty'' (2002) as Aunt Jeanne

Award nominations

Daytime Emmy Awards * (1995)

Daytime Emmy The Daytime Emmy Awards, or Daytime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the New York–based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (N ...

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for ''

'' * (2002) Special Fan Award America's Favorite Villain for playing Vanessa Cortlandt on ''

'' ''Soap Opera Digest'' Awards * (1986)

Soap Opera Digest Award ''The Soap Opera Digest Awards'', originally known as ''The Soapy Awards'' when introduced in 1977, is an awards show held by the daytime television magazine '' Soap Opera Digest''. History 1977 until 1983 The Soapy Awards were an award prese ...

Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role on a Daytime Serial for ''Capitol'' * (1988)

Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role: Daytime for ''Capitol'' * (1995)

Outstanding Villainess for ''Guiding Light''

References

External links

* *
Marj Dusay Facebook Fan Club
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dusay, Marj 1936 births Actresses from Kansas American soap opera actresses American television actresses 2020 deaths 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American actresses People from Russell, Kansas