Morgan Fairchild

Morgan Fairchild

Morgan Fairchild, Los Angeles, CA on September 16, 2012
Born Patsy Ann McClenny
(1950-02-03) February 3, 1950
Denton, Texas, U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active 1967–present
Spouse(s) Jack Calmes (m. 1967–73)(divorced)
Partner(s) Mark Seiler (1980–present)
Parent(s) Edward Milton McClenny
Martha Jane Hartt
Website Official website

Morgan Fairchild (born Patsy Ann McClenny; February 3, 1950) is an American actress. She achieved prominence during the late 1970s and early 1980s with continuing roles in several television series, in which she usually conveyed a glamorous image.

Fairchild began her career on the CBS daytime soap opera Search for Tomorrow as Jennifer Pace from 1973 to 1977. In 1978, she appeared on the primetime soap opera Dallas as the first actress to portray Jenna Wade, before taking a lead role on the NBC series Flamingo Road in 1980 (for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama). In 1984, she co-starred on ABC's short-lived television drama Paper Dolls, and then appeared on Falcon Crest as attorney Jordan Roberts from 1985 to 1986. Fairchild has also performed in theater and played guest roles in television comedies, including Murphy Brown (for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series), Roseanne, Cybill, and Friends. She is a board member of SAG-AFTRA.

Early life

Born Patsy Ann McClenny in Dallas, Texas, the daughter of Martha Jane (née Hartt), a high school English teacher who taught at Richardson High School (in Richardson, Texas), and Edward Milton McClenny.[1] Fairchild has a younger sister, Cathryn Hartt, who is also an actress.[2][3] As a younger child, she was seen on WFAA-TV's Mr. Peppermint Show with host Jerry Haynes. In her teens she was in the audience on WFAA-TV's Sump'n Else bandstand show. She auditioned three times to be in The Little Group, which was the show's dance group. Also during this time, she appeared in several locally broadcast commercials on Dallas-Fort Worth television stations. As a child, she suffered a bout of scarlet fever, which left her partially deaf.

Career

Morgan Fairchild in June 2007

Fairchild's first acting job was as a double for Faye Dunaway during filming for the film Bonnie and Clyde (1967).[1] She took her new first name, Morgan, from the 1966 David Warner film Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment. Fairchild then moved to New York City, where she secured her first credited onscreen role as the maniacal Jennifer Pace in the daytime soap opera Search for Tomorrow from 1973 until 1977. From the mid-1970s, she began to make various appearances on episodic primetime television series such as Kojak, Happy Days, Police Woman, and a few episodes of CBS Radio Mystery Theatre.

Fairchild played Jenna Wade in the soap opera Dallas for one episode in 1978.[1] The character was later brought back, played briefly by Francine Tacker in 1980, and then as a regular character played by Priscilla Presley from 1983 to 1988. In 1978, Fairchild made the television film The Initiation of Sarah and also had a recurring role on the sitcom Mork & Mindy. In 1980, she scored her first regular primetime role as Constance Weldon Carlyle on the soap opera Flamingo Road. Though the series had an impressive beginning, the ratings soon dropped and it was cancelled after two seasons. Fairchild was nominated for a Golden Globe award for her role.[4]

After the cancellation of Flamingo Road, Fairchild continued to make guest appearances in a variety of episodic television series such as Hotel, Simon & Simon, Magnum, P.I. and The Love Boat. She also starred in the 1982 theatrical film The Seduction. In 1984, along with Joan Collins, she co-hosted the ABC-TV special Blondes vs. Brunettes, a one-hour variety show that gently poked fun at popular culture's blonde vs. brunette rivalry.[5] In that same year she also co-starred in another primetime soap opera Paper Dolls playing modelling agency owner Racine. The series was cancelled halfway through its first season, but by this time, Fairchild was established as a television actress and in 1985 she joined the hit series Falcon Crest, playing the glamorous lawyer Jordan Roberts for a season. She also appeared in the miniseries North and South in 1985, and its sequel in 1986.

Fairchild at an event in Dallas in 2006

In 1985, Jon Lovitz on Saturday Night Live created the "Tommy Flanagan, The Pathological Liar" character who claimed outlandish achievements for himself, culminating in the grand illusion that his wife was Morgan Fairchild. The obvious remoteness of such a possibility, and its mainstream comic appeal, was testimonial to the broad popularity and desirability of Fairchild at the time.

Fairchild continued to make appearances in films and television series throughout the 1980s, and garnered an Emmy Award nomination for her guest appearance in a 1989 episode of Murphy Brown.[1] In the early 1990s, she was cast in a recurring role in Roseanne, as Sandra Bernhard's bisexual girlfriend Marla. In 1994, Fairchild appeared in an unexpectedly campy ad campaign for clothing retailer Old Navy, with Joan Collins and other formerly familiar faces on television. Her reprised role as the over-the-top glamour vixen was so successful that the company created numerous sequels around her persona.

In 1995, Fairchild returned to daytime soap operas as the catty Sydney Chase on The City.[6] She played the role for a year, after which she went on to appear in General Hospital. She also made guest appearances on the hit sitcom Friends (as Chandler Bing's mother, Nora) and was a recurring guest star on the sitcom Cybill as Andrea, a rival of Cybill Shepherd's character.

Through the years, Fairchild has also appeared in various theater productions. More recently, she starred in the role of Mrs. Robinson in the stage adaptation of the film The Graduate. She also fronted an international advertising campaign for the consumer tooth whitening product Dental White.[7] In 2005, Fairchild appeared in the competition reality show, But Can They Sing? on VH1.

In 2006, she was cast in yet another of her "rich bitch" roles in the My Network TV series Fashion House, playing Sophia Blakely, a rival to Bo Derek's character, Maria Gianni.[8] She has also appeared on the television series Chuck as Dr. Honey Woodcomb, the mother of Captain Awesome. She made another return to soap operas in 2009 when she had a guest role in the daytime series The Bold and the Beautiful.[9] In recent years she guest-starred in Bones, Revenge, and Hot in Cleveland.[10][11]

In addition to her work as an actress, Fairchild has long maintained a strong role within the Screen Actors Guild, now SAG-AFTRA. Currently, Fairchild is a three-year board member of the Guild and has served on several diverse committees, including co-chair Legislative Committee, National Executive Committee, SAG-AFTRA Relations Committee, Commercials Contracts Committee, Honors and Tributes Committee (HATS), and Guild Governance and Rules Committee.

In 2014, Fairchild was named spokesperson for a website created to help consumers make burial preplanning choices. In that capacity, she appeared on television commercials and in a direct mail campaign.

Personal life

Fairchild at the Desert AIDS Project in 2009

Fairchild has been in a relationship with film company executive Mark Seiler, for 35 years. She was previously married to Jack Calmes from 1967 to 1973.[12]

Fairchild is active in raising awareness of AIDS-related issues and environmental protection.[1]

During the early 1970s, Fairchild was kidnapped and held against her will on two separate occasions.[13][14] On one occasion she was kidnapped by a pimp and a drug dealer, who abducted her from a crowded street and into a taxi while she kicked and screamed. According to Fairchild, they threatened her, but she started making jokes, which they found funny. Her abductors then decided to let her go. On the second occasion, a man came into her hotel room and demanded money. When he did not find any, he threatened to kill her, then kidnapped her from the hotel. She was eventually let go.

Other appearance

Though Fairchild has never appeared on an episode of any incarnations of the show itself, in 2003, a simulated caricature version of her has appeared as one of the six main panelists in a five-reel video slot machine version of Match Game released by WMS Gaming.

Politics

Fairchild is a Democrat, contributing to the campaigns of well-known politicians such as Dick Gephardt, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, and Howard Dean.[15]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1967 Bonnie and Clyde Faye Dunaway's double uncredited
1970 A Bullet for Pretty Boy Small role uncredited
1978 The Initiation of Sarah Jennifer Lawrence Television film
1979 Murder in Music City Dana Morgan Television film
1980 The Memory of Eva Ryker Lisa Eddington Television film
1980 Challenge of the Tiger Celebrity
1980 The Dream Merchants Dulcie Warren Television film
1981 The Girl, the Gold Watch & Dynamite Stella Walker Television film
1982 The Seduction Jamie Douglas
1982 Honeyboy Judy Wellman Television film
1984 Time Bomb Renee DeSalles Television film
1984 The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood Lady Marian
1985 Peewee's Big Adventure Agent Dottie
1986 Red Headed Stranger Raysha Shay
1987 Campus Man Katherine Van Buren
1987 Sleeping Beauty Queen
1987 Deadly Illusion Jane Mallory/Sharon Burton
1988 Street of Dreams Laura Cassidy/Eva Bomberg Television film
1988 Killing Blue Lisa
1989 Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge Mayor Karen Wilton
1989 The Haunting of Sarah Hardy Lucy Television film
1990 How to Murder a Millionaire Loretta Television film
1990 Mob Boss Gina
1990 Menu for Murder Paula Preston Television film
1991 Even Angels Fall Leslie
1991 Writer's Block Magenta Hart Television film
1991 Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady Irene Frances Adler Television film
1992 Just Deserts Catherine Harcourt Television film
1993 Das Paradies am Ende der Berge Irmgard Hoelzl
1993 Freaked Herself
1993 Based on an Untrue Story Satin Chow
1994 Point of Seduction: Body Chemistry III Beth Chaney
1994 Test Tube Teens from the Year 2000 Camella Swales
1994 Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult Herself
1995 Criminal Hearts District Attorney
1995 Venus Rising Peyton
1995 Gospa Sister Fabijana Zovko
1996 Dead Man's Island Valerie St. Vincent
1996 Star Command Cmdr. Sigrid Ivorstetter Television film (UPN)
1997 Moment of Truth: Into the Arms of Danger Diana Astin Television film
1998 Shattered Illusions Angie
1998 Holy Man Herself
1999 Nice Guys Sleep Alone Lorraine
2000 Unshackled Mrs. Rebecca Miller
2000 Held for Ransom Mrs. Kirkland
2001 Peril Terry
2002 Teddy Bears' Picnic Courtney Vandermint
2002 I Was a Teenage Faust Babylonia Television film
2004 Knuckle Sandwich Mrs. Simms
2004 Arizona Summer Debbie
2006 Shock to the System Phyllis Hale
2006 The Initiation of Sarah Trina Goodwin Television film
2007 Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story Herself
2008 The Sno Cone Stand Inc Cathy Wanton
2009 The Slammin' Salmon Herself
2010 Life's a Beach Felicia Wald
2010 The Steamroom Sheila
2011 Boy Toy Barbra
2011 Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 Herself
2011 eCupid Venus
2012 American Horror House Miss Margot / Rosemary Television film
2012 Spring Break '83 Mouth's Mother
2012 A Perfect Ending Valentina
2013 Fighting Back Cheryl
2013 Wiener Dog Nationals Ms. Merryweather
2013 Dark Power Elizabeth Archer
2014 Perfect On Paper[16] Beverly Wilcox Television film
2014 Bikini Model Academy Herself
2014 Beethoven's Treasure Tail Charlene Video
2014 Sam Lulu
2014 Christian Mingle Lacie Wood
2016 Mostly Ghostly: One Night in Doom House Lulu Direct to video

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1973–1977 Search for Tomorrow Jennifer Pace
1976 Kojak Allison Episode: "A Hair-Trigger Away"
1977 Rafferty Lisa Farrell Episode: "A Point of View"
Switch Shelley Bloom Episode: "Downshift"
Rosetti and Ryan Claire Blake Episode: "The Ten-Second Client"
Happy Days Cynthia Holmes Episode: "My Fair Fonzie"
The Bob Newhart Show Bianca / Linda Episode: "Grand Delusion"
1978 Police Woman Cheryl Episode: "Murder with Pretty People"
The Amazing Spider-Man Lisa Benson Episode: "Night of the Clones"
Barnaby Jones Felice Winters Episodes: "Daughter of Evil" and "A Dangerous Affair"
Dallas Jenna Wade Episode: "Old Acquaintance"
1978 Escapade Suzy TV pilot
1978–1979 Mork & Mindy Susan Taylor 3 episodes
1979 Concrete Cowboys Carla / Kate Episode: "Concrete Cowboys"
A Man Called Sloane Melissa Nelson Episode: "The Venus Microbe"
1980 Young Maverick Selene Episode: "Makin' Tracks"
1981 The Love Boat Jenny Boyer 2 episodes
1980–1982 Flamingo Road Constance Weldon Semple Carlyle 38 episodes
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama (1982)
1982 Magnum, P.I. Alex Houston / Catherine Hailey Episode: "Ki'is Don't Lie"
Simon & Simon Alex Houston / Catherine Hailey Episode: "Emeralds Are Not a Girl's Best Friend"
1983 Hotel Carol Episode: "Hotel"
1984 Paper Dolls Racine 13 episodes
1985 North and South Burdetta Halloran TV mini-series
1986 North and South, Book II Burdetta Halloran TV mini-series
1985–1986 Falcon Crest Jordan Roberts 29 episodes
Nominated—Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role on a Prime Time Serial (1986)
1989 My Two Dads Diana Thackery Episode: "Macho, Stupid Guy Time"
Murphy Brown Julia St. Martin Episode: "TV or not TV"
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (1990)
1992 Roseanne Marla 3 episodes
1993 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Miranda Episode: "Pheromone, My Lovely"
Murder, She Wrote Iris Novaro Episode: "Murder at a Discount"
1994 Burke's Law June Ward Episode: "Who Killed Romeo?"
Empty Nest Zoe Episode: "Best Friends"
Diagnosis: Murder Pamela Dorn Episode: "My Four Husbands"
1995–1996 The City Sydney Chase
1996 General Hospital Sydney Chase
1995–1997 Cybill Andrea Thorpe 4 episodes
1997 Head Over Heels Mona DuBois Episode: "Gigolo Guy"
Touched by an Angel Jackie Sykes Episode: "My Dinner with Andrew"
The Naked Truth Herself Episode: "Bridesface Revisited"
1998 Home Improvement Herself Episode: "Mr. Likeable"
V.I.P. Herself Episode: "Three Days to a Kill"
The Angry Beavers Muffy Snootwell Episode: "Open Wide for Zombies/Dumbwaiters" (voice)
1999 The New Addams Family Lady Pretensia Episode: "Thing's Romance"
1995–2001 Friends Nora Tyler Bing 5 episodes
2001 Dharma & Greg Jackie Episode: "Dharma Does Dallas"
7th Heaven Merle 'Bird' Episode: Teased
2002 Roswell Meris Wheeler 2 episodes
Providence Gwendolynne Gold Episode: "Limbo"
Maybe It's Me Big Kimberly Episode: "The Quahog Festival Episode"
That '80s Show Cossima Blair Episode: "Beach Party"
2003 Just Shoot Me! Lily Barton Episode: "Pictures of Lily"
2004 That '70s Show Carolyn Episode: "Going Mobile"
2006 Fashion House Sophia Blakely 35 episodes
2007 Two and a Half Men Donna Episode: "Young People Have Phlegm Too"
2008 Men in Trees Herself Episode: "Get a Life"
2009 Nip/Tuck Herself Episode: "Manny Skerritt"
My Name Is Earl Carol Episode: "Friends with Benefits"
The Bold and the Beautiful Dorothy 4 episodes
2010 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Claire Lockton Episode: "Bedtime"
2008–2010 Chuck Dr. Honey Woodcomb 3 episodes
2011 Bones Bianca Chiverton Episode: "The Prince in the Plastic"
2012 Happily Divorced Jill Episode: "The Reunion"
2014 Revenge Teresa (cameo) Episode: "Addiction"
2014 Hot in Cleveland Claudia / Fake Elka Episode: "Playmates"

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Morgan Fairchild Biography – Facts, Birthday, Life Story". Biography.com. 1950-02-03. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
  2. ↑ Morgan Fairchild Biography at filmreference.com
  3. ↑ Family Tree of Morgan Fairchild
  4. ↑ "Morgan Fairchild Biography". Tvguide.com. 2012-11-28. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
  5. ↑ Terrace, Vincent. Encyclopedia of Television: Series, Pilots and Specials 1974–1984. New York: BASELine Publications, page 50
  6. ↑ "'The City' Is A Killer : Morgan Fairchild Takes 'Loving' From Small-Town Corinth To Downtown Manhattan – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 1995-11-05. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
  7. ↑ Dental White on YouTube
  8. ↑ "Morgan Fairchild to Join Cast of 'Fashion House'". Fox News. July 1, 2006.
  9. ↑ "Morgan Fairchild: Coming to The Bold and the Beautiful". TV Fanatic. 2009-06-18. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
  10. ↑ "Scoop: REVENGE on ABC – Sunday, March 30, 2014 – BWWTVWorld". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  11. ↑ Potts, Kimberly (2014-01-27). "Casting Scoop: Morgan Fairchild and Nora Dunn Stop by 'Hot in Cleveland' [Exclusive Photo] | Yahoo TV – Yahoo TV". Tv.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  12. ↑ Interview. People magazine, 25 September 2006.
  13. ↑ "Bobby Brown, Jewel, Morgan Fairchild, Elliott Yamin." Celebrity Close Calls. The Biography Channel. 25 June 2011.
  14. ↑ "Scott Baio, Pam Grier, Morgan Fairchild, Greg Louganis." Celebrity Close Calls. Dir. Jared Burke, Seth Jarrett, Timothy F. Smith, and Kathi Watson. The Biography Channel. 13 Aug. 2011.
  15. ↑
  16. ↑ http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Hallmark-Channel-Sets-2014-Original-Movie-Schedule-20140313#
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