Norma Connolly

Norma Connolly
Born(1927-08-27)August 27, 1927
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedNovember 18, 1998(1998-11-18) (aged 71)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materBrandeis University
OccupationActress
Years active1951–98
Known for
Spouse
Howard Rodman
​
​
(m. 1954; died 1985)​
Children3

Norma Connolly (August 27, 1927 – November 18, 1998) was an American actress having a career spanning five decades and known for her roles on The Young Marrieds as Lena Karr Gilroy and General Hospital as Ruby Anderson.

Early life[edit]

Connolly was born on August 27, 1927, in Boston, Massachusetts[1][2] to Beulah and Archie Connolly, where her father owned a lumber business.[3] She graduated from Brandeis University in 1958.[3] Connolly studied acting with Morris Carnovsky at the Leland Powers School of Drama, with both Harold Clurman and Stella Adler at Actors Studio, and at the Cushing Academy.[3]

Career[edit]

Connolly started her career as a guest star on Pulitzer Prize Playhouse in 1951. She next was in Celanese Theatre as Marcia in 1952. Connollly would guest star in a number of television programs such as Danger, Naked City, The Twilight Zone, Dr. Kildare, Mr. Novak, The F.B.I., I Dream of Jeannie, The Bold Ones: The New Doctors, Columbo, Little House on the Prairie, and Charlie's Angels. She starred in the Made-for-TV-Movies Mr. and Mrs. Cop[4] and F. Scott Fitzgerald in Hollywood. Connolly starred the miniseries QB VII as Corinne. She is best known for her roles as Lena Karr Gilroy in The Young Marrieds from 1964 to 1966 and Ruby Anderson on General Hospital from 1979 to 1998.[1][5] She was in Alfred Hitchcock's The Wrong Man (1956), Robert Lewin's Third of a Man (1962), Robert Mulligan's The Other (1972), and James Goldstone's They Only Kill Their Masters (1972). On stage, Connolly was in A Streetcar Named Desire, Night of the Iguana and The Crucible.[6][7] She was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance as Ruby Anderson in 1985 at the 12th Daytime Emmy Awards.[8]

Personal life and death[edit]

Connolly married Howard Rodman in 1954; the marriage ended when he died on December 5, 1985.[9] Together, they had three children: two sons and one daughter.[1] She was active in the battle against AIDS, serving on the board of Hollywood Helps.[1][2][6] Connolly addressed the concerns of actresses in their limited roles in television and film productions.[6] She died on Wednesday, November 18, 1998, from complications of a stroke.[2][10][11]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1956 The Wrong Man Betty Todd Docudrama film directed by Alfred Hitchcock.[12][13][14][15]
1962 Third of a Man Extra
1972 The Other Aunt Vee Psychological thriller film directed by Robert Mulligan[17] and adapted for film by Tom Tryon from his novel of the same name.
They Only Kill Their Masters Mrs. DeCamp Mystery film directed by James Goldstone.[18]

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1951 Pulitzer Prize Playhouse Guest Episode: "Ned McCobb's Daughter" (S 1:Ep 15)
1952 Celanese Theatre Marcia Episode: "On Borrowed Time" (S 1:Ep 20)
1953 Danger Guest Episode: "Missing Night" (S 3:Ep 41)
1956 Star Stage Guest Episode: "Scandal on Deepside" (S 1:Ep 30)
1959 Alcoa Theatre Guest Episode: "How's Business?" (S 2:Ep 15)
1960 Naked City Ruth Peters Episode: "Killer with a Kiss" (S 2:Ep 6)
1961 The Twilight Zone Night Nurse Episode: "Twenty Two" (S 2:Ep 17)
1962 The Real McCoys Carol Dorset Epispde: "The Washing Machine" (S 5:Ep 13)
Dr. Kildare Therapist Episode: "Breakdown" (S 2:Ep 7)
Eleventh Hour Ruth Episode: "Ruth" (S 1:Ep 7)
The Real McCoys Ethel Episode: "Luke the Reporter" (S 6:Ep 13)
1963 The Lloyd Bridges Show Winnie Episode: "The Ramp" (S 1:Ep 31)
Naked City Pearl Wystemski Episode: "Golden Lads and Girls" (S 4:Ep 33)
1964 Many Happy Returns Laughing Woman Episode: "Walter Meets the Machine" (S 1:Ep 2)
The Young Marrieds Lena Karr Gilroy Contract role from October 5, 1964 – March 25, 1966
Mr. Novak Mrs. Parker Episode: "'A' Is for Anxiety" (S 2:Ep 10)
1965 Ben Casey Mrs. Mangiopani Episode: "Eulogy in Four Flats" (S 4:Ep 24)
The F.B.I. Woman Episode: "The Giant Killer" (S 1:Ep 10)
1966 Gidget Miss Beckley Episode: "Ask Helpful Hannah" (S 1:Ep 29)
The F.B.I. Aline Spencer Episode: "The Animal" (S 1:Ep 29)
1967 The Invaders Waitress Episode: "The Spores" (S 2:Ep 7)
Dundee and the Culhane Guest Episode: "The Widow's Weeds Brief" (S 1:Ep 11)
1970 I Dream of Jeannie Mrs. Ross Episode: "Jeannie, the Recording Secretary" (S 5:Ep 20)
Adam-12 Eva Foster Episode: "Log 75: Have a Nice Weekend" (S 3:Ep 7)
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors Mrs. Dorsey Episode: "First: No Harm to the Patient" (S 2:Ep 4)
1971 The F.B.I. Ruth Oliver Episode: "Unknown Victim" (S 6:Ep 15)
Columbo Celia Episode: "Ransom for a Dead Man" (Second pilot)
1972 The Man and the City Guest Episode: "Diagnosis: Corruption" (S 1:Ep 15)
1973 The Streets of San Francisco Mrs. Carter Episode: "A Wrongful Death" (S 2:Ep 1)
1974 QB VII Corinne Miniseries directed by Tom Gries[19]
Mr. and Mrs. Cop Mother Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Harvey Hart.[20]
Ironside Lydia Todd Episodes:
  • Raise the Devil: Part 1 (S 8:Ep 1)
  • Raise the Devil: Part 2 (S 8:Ep 2)
Police Woman Stage Mother Episode: "The Beautiful Die Young" (S 1:Ep 2)
Little House on the Prairie Mrs. Kirkwood Episode: "Ma's Holiday" (S 1:Ep 8)
1975 Harry O Mrs. Hodges Episode:"Lester" (S 1:Ep 20)
F. Scott Fitzgerald in Hollywood Zelda's Nurse Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Anthony Page.[21]
1976 Police Woman Landlady Episode: "Mother Love" (S 2:Ep 22)
The Bionic Woman Mrs. Noah Episode: "Jaime's Mother" (S 1:Ep 8)
Charlie's Angels Mrs. Lemson Episode: "Hellride" (S 1:Ep 1)
1977 Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman Prisoner Episode: "Episode #2.90" (S 2:Ep 153)
The Edge of Night Mrs. Yost Unknown number of episodes
1979-1997 General Hospital Ruby Anderson Contract role
(final appearance)
1999 Intimate Portrait Herself
  • Episode: "Donna Reed"
  • Aired posthumously

Awards and nominations[edit]

List of acting awards and nominations
Year Award Category Title Result Ref.
1985 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital Nominated [8]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Oliver, Myrna (November 20, 1998). "Norma Connolly; 'General Hospital' Actress". The New York Times. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c The Washington Post Staff (November 21, 1998). "LONGTIME SOAP OPERA ACTRESS NORMA CONNOLLY DIES". The Washington Post. Nash Holdings LLC. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "Norma Connolly". Soapcentral. United States. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  4. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2013). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials, Volume 2. McFarland & Company. p. 283. ISBN 978-0786474455.
  5. ^ "Goodbye to GH's Ruby". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc.: 4. December 8, 1998. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c "Stage & Screen Actress Norma Connolly Dead At 71". Playbill. November 23, 1998. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  7. ^ Hischak, Thomas S. (2012). American Literature on Stage and Screen: 525 Works and Their Adaptations. McFarland & Company. p. 170. ISBN 978-0786468423.
  8. ^ a b "The Twelfth Annual Daytime Emmy Awards". Soapcentral. United States. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  9. ^ Ellison, Harlan (1967). Dangerous Visions. Doubleday. ISBN 0-425-06176-0.
  10. ^ (via Google news)"'General Hospital' actress Norma Connolly dies". Star-News. Los Angeles: New Media Investment Group. November 21, 1998. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  11. ^ "Norma Connolly Dead at 71". Soap Opera Weekly. United States: Source Interlink Media: 5. December 8, 1998. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  12. ^ Variety film review; January 2, 1957, page 6.
  13. ^ Harrison, P. S. (December 22, 1956). Harrison's Reports and Film Reviews. p. 204. ISBN 978-0-913616-23-9.
  14. ^ Harris, R.A.; Lasky, M.S. (2002). The Complete Films of Alfred Hitchcock. Citadel. ISBN 9780806524276.
  15. ^ "The Wrong Man". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  16. ^ "Third of a Man". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  17. ^ "The Other". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  18. ^ "They Only Kill Their Masters". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  19. ^ "QB VII". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  20. ^ "Mr. and Mrs. Cop". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  21. ^ "F. Scott Fitzgerald in Hollywood". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved April 10, 2016.

External links[edit]

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