Marcia Rodd

Comely, dark-haired Kansas-born musical and legit actress 'Marcia Rodd' (qv), born on July 8, 1940, was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and tasted theatre life at an early age when she played "Priscilla Alden" at a grade school pageant. Following high school graduation, she studied drama in the late 1950's with Alvina Krause at Northwestern University before heading to New York to pursue the stage.Offbeat comedy would play a dominate part of this appealing actress's early career. Following her off-Broadway debut in the musical "Oh Say, Can You See!" in 1962, she took over several parts in the revues "Oh, What a Lovely War!" (1964) and "The Mad Show" (1966). Following tours of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and "Chu Chem," she made her Broadway debut in 1967's "Love in E Flat." More roles followed as Daisy Gamble in "On a Clear Day You Can Look Forever," and Viola in "Love and Let Love." She returned to the off-Broadway stage and received a Drama Desk trophy after quickly replacing (after only a week into the show) 'Marian Mercer' (qv) in the 1968 musical "Your Own Thing," which was based on Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." She also went on to play the role in its London tour. Marcia's fine work as a grass-smoking free spirit opposite 'James Coco' (qv) in 'Neil Simon' (qv)'s classic 1969 comedy "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" did not go unnoticed.Marcia's abundance of fine stage work led to an auspicious film debut in 'Jules Feiffer' (qv)'s black comedy _Little Murders (1971)_ (qv) with 'Elliott Gould' (qv). A flashy supporting part in the comedy-drama _T.R. Baskin (1971)_ (qv) with 'Candice Bergen' (qv) then followed. 'Norman Lear' (qv) took an interest in Marcia and brought her to TV with guest spots on _All in the Family (1971)_ (qv). She guested as the sensible, outspoken daughter of defiantly liberal 'Bea Arthur' (qv) in one of the classic Archie Bunker episodes, and their roles would spin off into the popular series _Maude (1972)_ (qv). 'Adrienne Barbeau' (qv), however, assumed the role of daughter Carol when Marcia turned the (1972-1978) sitcom down. She did appear in later years as a guest star in a single classic episode of the series. Elsewhere, she was seen in episodes of "Young Doctor Kildare," "Medical Center" and "Barnaby Jones," before finding a lead in the short-lived family comedy _The Dumplings (1976)_ (qv).With the theatre being her first love, Marcia returned to the stage to play Aldonza in a 1971 tour of "Man of La Mancha." She then return to the East Coast and copped a Tony nomination for the 1973 musical "Shelter." She also toured with the comedy "Rms Riv Vu" in 1973, followed by the role of Mistress Page in "The Merry Wives of Windor (1975). In addition to roles in the plays "Once Upon a Time" "And If That Mockingbird Don't Sing" and "The Goodbye People," she developed a strong reputation as an L.A. stage director in later years while also still taking on acting stage parts such as Golde in "Fiddler on the Roof" and 'Diana Vreeland' (qv) in the one-woman play "Full Gallop."Other than a few films here and there such as _Citizens Band (1977)_ (qv) and _Last Embrace (1979)_ (qv), Marcia's on-camera focus remained centered on the small screen. She played recurring TV wives on the 80's series _The Four Seasons (1984)_ (qv) and _Trapper John, M.D. (1979)_ (qv) and graced a plethora of TV episodics in such shows as "Phyllis," "Quincy," "Archie Bunker's Place," "Lou Grant, "Laverne & Shirley," "Flamingo Road," Night Court," "Highway to Heaven," "Too Close for Comfort," "Empty Nest," "Murder, She Wrote," "21 Jump Street," "Doogie Howser," "Home Improvement" and "ER." She also co-starred with 'Eileen Brennan' (qv) in the short-lived series _13 Queens Boulevard (1979)_ (qv).Into the millennium, Marcia continues to show herself a TV presence with shows like "Family Law," "Broken at Love," "The Young and the Restless," "Open House," "Grey's Anatomy" and another short-lived series _Kaplan's Korner (2018)_ (qv). Married and divorced once, Marcia has proven to be one intriguing talent.::Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net