Amy Wright

Last updated
Amy Wright
Born
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma mater Beloit College
OccupationsActress, model
Years active1976–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1989;died 2019)​
Children2

Amy Wright is an American actress and former model. She has appeared in such films as The Deer Hunter , Breaking Away , The Accidental Tourist , Hard Promises , Crossing Delancey , and Miss Firecracker . She is the widow of actor Rip Torn.

Contents

Early years

Born in Chicago, Wright is a graduate of Beloit College. [1] Her father was a professor of psychology at the University of Chicago. [2] She developed an interest in acting when she was in high school. Encouragement from a teacher at an acting workshop led her to appear in school plays, and she majored in theater arts at Beloit. After that, she taught high school in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. During that time she acted in summer stock theater. [3]

Career

Wright acted in summer-stock productions in Rockford, Illinois, before going to New York, where she studied acting with Uta Hagen. [1] She starred with Eric Schweig in The Scarlet Letter and Tom and Huck (both made in 1995). She produced a Netflix series called The Next Step.[ citation needed ]

Wright starred in the original production of Breakfast with Les and Bess as Shelby. [4] Wright also appeared on Broadway in the original productions of Fifth of July and Noises Off . [5] Wright currently is on the faculty of HB Studio in New York City. [6]

Personal life

Wright was married to actor Rip Torn when he died in 2019, and the couple had two daughters, Katie and Claire Torn. [7]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1976 Not a Pretty Picture Cindy
1978 Girlfriends Ceil
1978 The Deer Hunter Bridesmaid
1979 Breaking Away Nancy
1979 The Amityville Horror Jackie
1979 Heartland Clara Jane
1979 Wise Blood Sabbath Lily
1980 Stardust Memories Shelley
1980 Inside Moves Anne
1985 Beer Stacy
1986 Off Beat Mary Ellen Gruenwald
1988 The Telephone Honey Boxe / Various
1988 Crossing Delancey Ricki
1988 The Accidental Tourist Rose Leary [8]
1989 Miss Firecracker Missy Mahoney
1990 Daddy's Dyin': Who's Got the Will? Lurlene Turnover
1990 Love Hurts Karen Weaver
1991 Hard Promises Shelly
1991 Deceived Evelyn
1993 Where the Rivers Flow North Loose Woman
1993 Josh and S.A.M. Waitress
1994 Robot in the Family Kristina Shamir
1995 The Scarlet Letter Goody Gotwick
1995 Tom and Huck Aunt Polly
1999 Joe the King Mary
1999Day and an Arabian KnightDayShort film
2001BesottedMona
2002 Winning Girls Through Psychic Mind Control Psychiatrist
2004MessengersNan Parrish
2006 The Namesake Pam
2006 The Good Shepherd Safe House Operations Officer
2008 Synecdoche, New York Burning House Realtor
2009Scratch... Play for KeepsMaShort film
2010 Please Give Erin
2025A Blind BargainMature Joy

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1980 Special Treat Bobba June"Sunshine's on the Way"
1983A Fine RomanceJeanTV film
1986 Trapped in Silence Dana WendolowskiTV film
1989 Men Joyce"The Trouble with Harvey"
1989Settle the ScoreBeckyTV film
1991In the Line of Duty: Manhunt in the DakotasKarenTV film
1991 Final Verdict QueenieTV film
1991Lethal InnocenceMargaret StokelyTV film
1993 To Dance with the White Dog CarrieTV film
2001 Amy & Isabelle RosieTV film
2002 Undeclared Debra Karp"Parents' Weekend"
2005 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Sister Dorothy"Acts of Contrition"
2011 Wingin' It Choreographer / School Teacher"Me Carl, You Jane-ish", "Friday Afternoon Fever"
2019 Private Eyes Choreographer"Dance, Dance Retribution"

References

  1. 1 2 Garfield, Kim (June 29, 1980). "Amy Wright went from shyness to chasing after an evangelist". Asbury Park-Press. New Jersey, Asbury Park. p. 157. Retrieved October 24, 2020– via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ Garfield, Kim (July 17, 1980). "Shy Actress Amy Wright Gets Parts In Big Shows". North County Times. California, Oceanside. Pop Scene Service. p. 5. Retrieved June 25, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ Italie, Hillel (June 30, 1989). "Amy Wright finds herself in right role at right time". The Belleville News-Democrat. Associated Press. p. 24. Retrieved June 25, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Amy Wright". filmbug.com. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Amy Wright – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB".
  6. ↑ "HB Studio Faculty Page". Archived from the original on 2019-03-27. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
  7. ↑ Thomas, Bob (July 11, 2019). "Acclaimed actor Rip Torn dies". The Day. Connecticut, New London. Associated Press. p. B 3. Retrieved June 25, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "The Accidental Tourist". rogerebert.com. January 6, 1989. Retrieved February 3, 2019.


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