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Colleen Dewhurst Biography

Birth Name:Colleen Rose Dewhurst

Birth Place:Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Profession Actress, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Served as President of the Actors' Equity Association from 1985 until her death in 1991
  • Originally from Canada, her parents moved to Boston when she was only about four years of age
  • Due to her Christian Science religious beliefs, she refused any type of surgery leading to her early demise at the age of 67 from cervical cancer
  • After small roles on numerous television serious, she would land the role of Candice Bergen's mother on "Murphy Brown" during the late '80s, a role that would land her two Emmys
  • Gained prominence later in life with several roles on stage including A Moon for the Misbegotten, a part that would earn her a Tony Award
  • Her father, a long-time member of the Ottawa Rough Riders, was a well-known athlete in Canada

Awards

  • 1968Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Drama: nominated
  • 1972Bronze Wrangler-Theatrical Motion Picture: winner
  • 1976Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama or Comedy Special: nominated
  • 1979Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
  • 1979Stinker Award-Worst Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1980Marquee-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1981Genie-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1981Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
  • 1986Gemini-Best Performance by a Supporting Actress: winner
  • 1986Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: winner
  • 1988ACE-Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: winner
  • 1988Gemini-Best Performance by a Supporting Actress: winner
  • 1989Genie-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: winner
  • 1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 1990Gemini-Best Guest Performance in a Series by an Actor or Actress: nominated
  • 1990Genie-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
  • 1991ACE-Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: winner
  • 1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 1991Q Award-Specialty Player: nominated
  • 1992CableACE-Actress in a Dramatic Series: nominated