Eileen Heckart Biography

Fast Facts

• Inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 2000 after appearing in various stage productions for more than six decades
• Graduated with a drama degree from Ohio State University before moving to New York City to pursue stage work
• Made her screen acting debut in the TV series "The Ford Theatre Hour" in 1950
• Began her Broadway career as an understudy and assistant stage manager for "The Voice of the Turtle" in 1943
• Quote: "(On her final role in "The Waverly Gallery"): "This is my swan song, my last performance in a play․․․You get such a good one, you may as well go out on a wave․""
• Quote: "I don't like sitcoms․ It's instant acting; it has nothing to do with talent․․․You do television to make money so you can afford to act in the theater․"
• After years on stage, television and film, she would eventually begin work on the iconic soap opera "One Life to Live․"
• Best known for her role as Little Mary in "Heartbreak Ridge" and as Hortense Daigle in "The Bad Seed․"