Dana Ivey

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Dana Ivey
Dana Ivey "Professional Cuddler" trailer.jpg
Ivey in Professional Cuddler, 2018
Born (1941-08-12) August 12, 1941 (age 83)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Alma mater London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
OccupationActress
Years active1962–2019
Mother Mary Nell Ivey Santacroce
Website danaivey.com

Dana Ivey (born August 12, 1941) [1] is an American retired actress. She is a known for her work on Broadway, earning the 1997 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for her work in both Sex and Longing and The Last Night of Ballyhoo . She originated the title role in Driving Miss Daisy and was nominated for a Drama Desk award for Best Actress in a Play. She received five Tony Award nominations for her roles in Sunday in the Park with George (1984), Heartbreak House (1984), The Last Night of Ballyhoo (1997), The Rivals (2005), and Butley (2007).

Contents

On film, she has acted in The Color Purple (1985), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988), The Addams Family (1991), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), Addams Family Values (1993), Two Weeks Notice (2002), Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003), Rush Hour 3 (2007), and The Help (2011). On television, she has appeared on Frasier , Sex and the City , Boardwalk Empire and The Big C .

Early life and family

Ivey was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Her mother, Mary Nell Ivey Santacroce (née McKoin), was a teacher, speech therapist, and actress who appeared in productions of Driving Miss Daisy and taught at Georgia State University; Mary Nell was considered by John Huston to be "one of the three or four greatest actresses in the world." [2] Her father, Hugh Daugherty Ivey, was a physicist and professor who taught at Georgia Tech and later worked at the Atomic Energy Commission.[ citation needed ] Her parents later divorced. She has a younger brother, John, and a half-brother, Eric Santacroce, and one nephew, Evan Santacroce from her mother's remarriage to Dante Santacroce. [3]

Dana Ivey received her undergraduate degree at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. She was a member of Phi Mu women's fraternity and earned a Fulbright grant to study drama at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. [4] She received an honorary doctorate (humane letters) from Rollins College in February 2008. [5]

Career

1974–1989: Early Broadway work

Before making New York City her home in the late 1970s, Ivey appeared in numerous American and Canadian stage productions and served as director of DramaTech in Atlanta from 1974 to 1977, as had her mother before her from 1949 to 1966. In 1981, Ivey made her Broadway debut playing two small roles in a production of Macbeth ; the following year, she was cast in a major supporting role in a revival of Noël Coward's Present Laughter , for which she received the Clarence Derwent Award as Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play. She was nominated for two Tony Awards in the same season (1984) – as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George and Best Featured Actress in a Play for a revival of Heartbreak House – a feat repeated by only three other actresses, Amanda Plummer, Jan Maxwell, and Kate Burton. [6] Ivey's performances in Quartermaine's Terms and Driving Miss Daisy (creating the title role) [7] earned her Obie Awards, [8] as did that in Mrs. Warren's Profession (2005). [9] Ivey's first film appearance was in Joe Dante's 1985 science-fiction fantasy film Explorers with Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix. [10] In 1978, Ivey made her television debut in the daytime soap opera Search for Tomorrow . Her television credits include a starring role in the sitcom Easy Street opposite Loni Anderson and guest appearances on Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order . Her first major screen appearance was in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Alice Walker's The Color Purple later that same year. She took a bit part in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988).

1990–2009: Character actor roles

Among her other film credits include the 1995 remake of Sabrina, Simon Birch , Postcards from the Edge , Home Alone 2: Lost in New York , The Addams Family , Sleepless in Seattle , Addams Family Values , Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde , The Adventures of Huck Finn , Orange County , Rush Hour 3 , The Leisure Seeker , The Importance of Being Earnest , and as Sandra Bullock's character's mother, Mrs. Kelson, in Two Weeks Notice .

Ivey performed in the New York premiere in 2009 of The Savannah Disputation by Evan Smith at Playwrights Horizons. The comedy co-starred Marylouise Burke, Reed Birney, and Kellie Overbey. [11] [12]

2010–present: Later work

In July 2010, she appeared as Winnie in Happy Days by Samuel Beckett at the Westport Playhouse. [13] She appeared as Miss Prism in the Roundabout Theatre Company Broadway production of The Importance of Being Earnest in 2011. [14] Ivey played Mrs Candour in the 2016 production of The School for Scandal at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. [15]

In 2011, she played the role of Grace Higginbotham in the critically acclaimed film, The Help , and starred in Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight . During this time she acted in Frasier , Oz , The Practice , Sex and the City , Ugly Betty , Boardwalk Empire , and Monk (episode "Mr. Monk and the Other Detective"). In December 2016, Ivey was invited by the Noël Coward Society to lay flowers on the statue of Sir Noël Coward at the Gershwin Theatre in Manhattan to celebrate the 117th birthday of "The Master".

Acting credits

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1985 Explorers Mrs. Müller
The Color Purple Miss Millie
1986 Heartburn Wedding Speaker
1988 The Appointments of Dennis Jennings NewscasterShort film
Another Woman Engagement Party Guest
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Mrs. Reed
1990 Postcards from the Edge Wardrobe Mistress
1991 The Addams Family Margaret Alford
1992 Home Alone 2: Lost in New York Desk Clerk
1993 The Adventures of Huck Finn Widow Douglas
Guilty as Sin Judge D. Tompkins
Sleepless in Seattle Claire
Addams Family Values Margaret Addams
1995 The Scarlet Letter Meredith Stonehall
Sabrina Mack
1998 The Impostors Mrs. Essendine
Simon Birch Grandmother Wenteworth
1999 Mumford Mrs. Crisp
Walking Across Egypt Beatrice Vernon
2000 The Kid Dr. Alexander
2002 Orange County Vera Gantner
Two Weeks Notice Ruth Kelson
2003 Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde Libby Hauser
2006 A Very Serious Person Betty
2007 Broken English Elinor Gregory
Rush Hour 3 Sister Agnes
2008 Ghost Town Marjorie Pickthall
Claire BarbaraShort film
2009 Did You Hear About the Morgans? Trish Pinger
2011 The Help Gracie Higginbotham
2013 Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight Mrs. Paige
2014 We'll Never Have Paris Francoise
2017 Professional Cuddler GloriaShort film
The Leisure Seeker Lillian
2018 Ocean's Eight Diana
2019 Georgica DorothyShort film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1962 The Beachcomber KahlanaEpisode: "Tribal Law"
1981 Another World Clinic NurseEpisode: "#1.4336"
1982 Little Gloria... Happy at Last TV mini-series, Episode: "Part I"
Macbeth WitchTelevision Film
1986 American Playhouse Yvonne / Naomi EisenEpisode: "Sunday in the Park with George"
1986–1987 Easy Street Eleanor Standard22 episodes
1989 B.L. Stryker Gabrielle HarwoodEpisode: "Die Laughing"
1985–1990 Great Performances Gertrude / Ariadne2 episodes
1992 A Child Lost Forever Lois JurgensTelevision film
1993 Class of '61 Mrs. Julia Peyton
Mama's Back Maureen
1995 Homicide: Life on the Street Margie Bolander3 episodes
1996 Law & Order Ms. ShoreEpisode: "Girlfriends"
1997 Frasier Ms. LangerEpisode: "Three Days of the Condo"
1999 A Lesson Before Dying Edna GuidryTelevision film
2000 Oz Patricia Nathan2 episodes
2001 100 Centre Street Dr. Camille WilloughbyEpisode: "Bottlecaps"
2003 The Practice Judge Natalie BrownEpisode: "Cause of Action"
2004 Sex and the City Trudy StorkEpisode: "Out of the Frying Pan"
2005 Monk Mrs. EelsEpisode: "Mr. Monk and the Other Detective"
2008 The Return of Jezebel James Molly2 episodes
2010 American Experience Quaker WomanEpisode: "Dolley Madison"
Ugly Betty RobertaEpisode: "All the World's a Stage"
Boardwalk Empire Mrs. McGarry4 episodes
2011 The Importance of Being Earnest Miss PrismTelevision film
2013 The Big C NanEpisode: "Quality of Death"
2015 Odd Mom Out Mrs. HardwickEpisode: "Wheels Up"
2017 Madam Secretary Nelly ConlonEpisode: "The Beautiful Game"

Theater

YearTitleRoleVenueRef.
1981 Macbeth Gentlewoman / Witch Vivian Beaumont Theater, Broadway [16]
1983 Present Laughter Monica Reed Circle in the Square Theatre, Broadway [17]
1984 Heartbreak House Lady UtterwoodCircle in the Square Theatre, Broadway [18]
1984 Sunday in the Park with George Naomi Eisen / Yvonne Booth Theater, Broadway [19]
1985 Pack of Lies Helen KrogerRoyale Theater, Broadway [20]
1985 The Marriage of Figaro CoutnessCircle in the Square Theatre, Broadway [21]
1995 Indiscretions Leonie Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Broadway [22]
1996Sex and LongingBridget McCrea Cort Theatre, Broadway [23]
1997 The Last Night of Ballyhoo Boo Levy Helen Hayes Theatre, Broadway [24]
1999 Waiting in the Wings Sylvia Archibald Walter Kerr Theatre, Broadway [25]
2001 Major Barbara Lady Britomart American Airlines Theater, Broadway [26]
2003 Henry IV Lady Northumberland / Mistress Quickly Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Broadway [27]
2003 A Day in the Death of Joe Egg GraceAmerican Airlines Theater, Broadway [28]
2005 The Rivals Mrs. MalapropVivian Beaumont Theatre, Broadway [29]
2006 Butley Edna Shaft Booth Theater, Broadway [30]
2011 The Importance of Being Earnest Miss PrismAmerican Airlines Theater, Broadway [31]

Awards and nominations

OrganizationsYearCategoryWorkResultRef.
American Theater Hall of Fame 2008InductionHerselfHonored [32]
Drama Desk Awards 1983 Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Quartermaine's Terms Nominated
1983 Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Present Laughter Nominated
1987 Outstanding Actress in a Play Driving Miss Daisy Nominated
1997 Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play The Last Night of Ballyhoo / Sex and LongingWon
Tony Awards 1984 Best Featured Actress in a Musical Sunday in the Park with George Nominated [33]
Best Featured Actress in a Play Heartbreak House Nominated
1997 Best Featured Actress in a Play The Last Night of Ballyhoo Nominated [34]
2005 Best Featured Actress in a Play The Rivals Nominated [35]
2007 Best Featured Actress in a Play Butley Nominated [36]

References

  1. ↑ "Today in History: August 12, 520 die in Japan airlines crash". The Scranton Times-Tribune. August 12, 2023. ProQuest   2849362329. Today's Birthdays: Actor George Hamilton is 84. Actor Dana Ivey is 82. Actor Jennifer Warren is 82. Rock singer-musician Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) is 74. Actor Jim Beaver is 73. Singer Kid Creole (of Kid Creole and the Coconuts) is 73. Jazz musician Pat Metheny is 69. See also:
    • "On This Day, August 12". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. August 12, 2009. p. A-2. ProQuest   390573707. Today's birthdays: Actor George Hamilton, 70. Actress Dana Ivey, 68. Actress Jennifer Warren, 68.
  2. ↑ NYT April 21, 1999 [ full citation needed ]
  3. ↑ "Dana Ivey Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on April 10, 2008. Retrieved December 5, 2008.
  4. ↑ ""phimuaglaia article, Winter/Spring 2008". Archived from the original on February 29, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  5. ↑ Orlando Sentinel article, February 15, 2008 [ permanent dead link ]
  6. ↑ "Twice Blessed" Archived June 9, 2003, at the Wayback Machine tonyawards.com, accessed April 17, 2011
  7. ↑ Gussow, Mel, "The Stage: Driving Miss Daisy", The New York Times, April 16, 1987. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
  8. ↑ Dana Ivey, official website. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
  9. ↑ Staff."Winners of 51st Annual Village Voice Obie Awards Named", broadway.com, May 16, 2006
  10. ↑ Harnick, Chris (May 8, 2013). "Dana Ivey on "the Big C"". The Huffington Post . Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Current Season at Playwrights Horizon". Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
  12. ↑ Isherwood, Charles, "Dodging Hellfire, Armed With Quips and the Obliging Father Murphy", The New York Times , March 4, 2009. Retrieved 2011-02-15
  13. ↑ Hetrick, Adam."Dana Ivey and Jack Wetherall Face Happy Days at Westport Playhouse, Beginning July 6", Playbill , July 6, 2010
  14. ↑ Isherwood, Charles."A Stylish Monster Conquers at a Glance" The New York Times , January 13, 2011
  15. ↑ "Dana Ivey on Loving Language, Social Media, and The School for Scandal" by David Gordon, TheaterMania.com, April 26, 2016
  16. ↑ "Macbeth – Broadway Play – 1981 Revival | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Present Laughter (Broadway, 1983)". Playbill. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Heartbreak House (Broadway, 1984)". Playbill. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Sunday in the Park with George (Broadway, 1984)". Playbill. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Pack of Lies (Broadway, 1985)". Playbill. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  21. ↑ "The Marriage of Figaro (Broadway, 1985)". Playbill. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Indiscretions – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Sex and Longing – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  24. ↑ "The Last Night of Ballyhoo (Broadway, 1997)". Playbill. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Waiting in the Wings (Broadway, 1999)". Playbill. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Major Barbara (Broadway, 2001)". Playbill. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Henry IV (Broadway, 2003)". Playbill. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  28. ↑ "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Broadway, 2003)". Playbill. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  29. ↑ "The Rivals (Broadway, 2005)". Playbill. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Butley (Broadway, 2006)". Playbill. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  31. ↑ "The Importance of Being Earnest (Broadway, 2011)". Playbill. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Hall of Fame: theater veterans get a night in limelight". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette .
  33. ↑ "1984 Tony Awards". American Theater Wing . Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  34. ↑ "1997 Tony Awards". American Theater Wing . Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  35. ↑ "2005 Tony Awards". American Theater Wing . Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  36. ↑ "2007 Tony Awards". American Theater Wing . Retrieved July 13, 2025.
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