Marian Seldes

Birth Name:

Marian Hall Seldes

Birth Place:

Manhattan, New York, United States

Profession

Actress, Soundtrack

Earned a Guinness World Record for her role in the 1978 play "Deathtrap," appearing in every one of the show's 1,793 performances over the course of four years
Enrolled in the Neighborhood Playhouse in 1946 and trained with Sanford Meisner
Made her stage debut as a serving girl in "Medea" in 1947 and later made her Broadway debut in "Ondine" in 1954
Originally studied dance and attended the School of American Ballet before deciding she wanted to act instead
Quote: "I know I'm funny, because I'm eccentric, I'm odd․ I'm not what you expect․"
Quote: "(On her Tony Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010): "All I've done is live my life in the theater and loved it․ If you can get an award for being happy, that's what I've got․""
Appeared in a number of Edward Albee's plays, including "Tiny Alice" and "A Delicate Balance․"
Best known as a stage and film actress who appeared in a wide variety of productions during her 60-year career
Was a faculty member at The Juilliard School from 1969 to 1991, where she taught students like Robin Williams, William Hurt, and Patti LuPone
Published her autobiography "The Bright Lights: A Theater Life" in 1979 and wrote a novel called "Time Together" in 1981

Fast Facts