Maureen Stapleton was an American actress who has worked in film, television and theater. Her career began on the stage. Maureen managed to achieve great success on the Broadway stage before she began to conquer the cinema. She has won such prestigious awards as Oscar, Golden Globe, Tony, Emmy, BAFTA.
During her long acting career, Maureen Stapleton managed to appear in more than 70 projects, among which were both very successful full-length films and series and television films. Her debut on the theatrical stage took place in the mid-1940s, and the artist performed her first role in a big movie in the late 1950s.
The talented actress was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, representing the acting branch. For her contributions to the development of theater in the United States, Stapleton was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
She also went down in history because in 1959 she became the first actress who in one year received nominations for prestigious awards: "Oscar", "Tony", "Emmy". Later, she became one of 17 famous artists who, during their dizzying career, won awards from all 3 mentioned awards. Maureen received an award from "Tony" in 1951, from "Emmy" - in 1967, and the coveted gold Oscar statuette appeared in 1981. The actress became the owner of the Golden Globe in 1971, and received the BAFTA award in 1983.
Biography facts
The future movie and theater star was born in 1925. Her birthday: June 21. She was born in the town of Troy, which is located in the state of New York, USA. The full name of the famous actress sounds like Lois Maureen Stapleton. As a child, she received an unusual nickname - "Missouri".
Maureen's parents were Irish. Mother's name was Irene (Irene) Walsh, who after marriage took the surname Stapleton. Father's name is John P. Stapleton. Unfortunately, there is no information about what the future artist's dad and mom were doing. It is only known that the father suffered from alcoholism, which eventually passed on to his daughter. Because of his addiction, Maureen's parents divorced when the girl was in elementary school. The mother took care of the child's upbringing.
Lois Maureen was interested in creativity and art from an early age. When she went to school to receive basic education, she began to study in the school drama club. She willingly and often went on stage, dreaming of connecting her life with the acting profession.
Having graduated from the school walls, Stapleton immediately decided to seriously engage in the development of her career. She did not want to hesitate. The girl went to New York, where she began to study in a professional theater studio. She later took acting lessons from Herbert Berghof. She also attended a drama studio in Greenwich Village (New York) for some time.
Having finally moved to New York, the young talented girl was first forced to work as a model. Maureen did not manage to get into the theater troupe right away. At a modeling agency, she met a famous Hollywood actor named Joel McCree. It was thanks to this acquaintance that the girl eventually was able to become a member of the theater troupe, to start working on the Broadway stage.
The young actress made her debut on Broadway at the age of 22. She appeared in the production "Brave fellow - the pride of the West". Then in 1951, Maureen brilliantly played in the play "The Tattooed Rose", work in which made her the owner of "Tony".
Stapleton has many successful theatrical roles in his creative career. Separately, it is worth highlighting such performances with her participation as "Toys in the Attic", "Orpheus Goes Down to Hell", "Chanterelles", "The Lush Lady", "27 Vans Full of Cotton". In 1971, the actress was re-awarded the Tony Award for her unique performance in the play "The Lush Lady".
The path to film and television began for the artist in the 1950s. She originally starred in television series, receiving small roles. However, great success was just around the corner, he came to Lois Maureen Stapleton in 1958.
Film career
The artist received her first roles in such television shows as Kraft's Television Theaters, First Studio, Armstrong's Theater, Medic, Theater 90, and The Naked City. Great success came to Stapleton when she starred in the 1958 film Lonely Hearts. For her work in this film, she was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Oscar. Even though the actress got a secondary role, she managed to attract attention and interest the audience and critics.
After Maureen continued to appear in television series and feature films. The next most successful films with her participation were: "From the Runaway Breed", "View from the Bridge", "Bye, Birdie", "Airport", "Room in the Plaza Hotel".
In 1972, Stapleton tried herself as a voice actress for the first time. Her mother speaks in the short film "Dig". After 2 years, she worked in the same role on the project "Moving on".
In the 1970s-1980s, the filmography of the sought-after and extremely talented actress was actively replenished. Among her numerous works are films: "Interiors", "And the Runner Stumbles", "The Fan", "Reds", "Dangerous Johnny", "Cocoon", "The Equalizer" (TV series), "Breakthrough", "Jealousy", Made in Paradise, Crazy, Cocoon 2: The Return.
During the 1990s, Maureen Stapleton also appeared in big movies and on television. She continued her career until the early 2000s. During this period of time, the most successful projects with her participation were: "The Road to Avonlea" (TV series), "Jack's Funeral", "Looking for a Mom", "Love Doper". The last time the actress starred in the film "Living and Dining", which started at the box office in 2003.
Personal life and death
Throughout her life, Lois Maureen Stapleton suffered from alcohol addiction. She did not hide this, but every time in an interview she emphasized that she never allowed herself to go on stage or a set while intoxicated.
Maureen also had a severe phobia, accompanied by increased anxiety - she was afraid of heights and flying. Therefore, the artist in every possible way avoided situations when it was necessary to go somewhere by plane. The woman preferred to travel either by ship or by car.
Maureen's first husband was Max Allentua. The wedding took place in 1949. A year later, the firstborn was born in the family. The boy was named Daniel. When the child was only 7 months old, Maureen withdrew from maternity leave and returned to work in the theater. In the fall of 1954, 2 children appeared in the family - a girl who was given the name Catherine. Six months after giving birth, Stapleton has already entered the Broadway stage, participating in the play "All in One".
The relationship between Maureen and Max deteriorated over time. This led to the divorce, which took place in 1959.
The artist went down the aisle again in 1963. She became the wife of David Rafeel. However, the marriage broke up after 3 years. Maureen had no children from her second husband.
At the age of 43, the actress began a long-term romance with director and Broadway artist George Abbott. The age difference was enormous. At the time of the beginning of the relationship, George was already 81 years old. This romantic relationship lasted almost 10 years and ended after Abbott cheated on Maureen with a certain young artist.
Maureen Stapleton died in 2006 at her home located in Lenox, Massachusetts, USA. Day of death: March 13. Cause: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by prolonged and heavy smoking.
