Ann Wedgeworth

Ann Wedgeworth (born Elizabeth Ann Wedgeworth; January 21, 1935 in Abilene, Texas) is an American actress, best known for her role as Lahoma Vane Lucas on the daytime dramas Another World (1967-1970) and Somerset (1970-1973).

Biography

Early life

She attended the University of Texas and was a childhood friend and high school classmate of Jayne Mansfield.

Three's Company

Wedgeworth later joined the cast of Three's Company in 1979 as Lana Shields and was promptly written out of the series in mid-season with no explanation given in the story for Lana's disappearance.

Wedgeworth revealed to author Chris Mann that she wasn't "fired" but asked to be let go. After shooting a couple of episodes of Three's Company, Wedgeworth said some of the cast members were complaining about the size of her role. She said afterwards, her part dwindled down to practically "nothing." Wedgeworth asked the producers to write the part of Lana back to the way it was intended and promised to be, or else release her from the show so she could pursue other opportunities. The producers thereupon released her from the show.

Later career

In 1978, she won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress on Broadway in Neil Simon's Chapter Two.

She also played recurring roles on the sitcoms Evening Shade and Roseanne. Interestingly, in 1982, she worked with Linda Bloodworth-Thomason in her first series, Filthy Rich, playing ditsy but good-natured Bootsie Westchester.

Ann played Patsy Cline's feisty mother, Hilda Hensley, in the 1985 biopic Sweet Dreams.

In 1985, Ann played the part of Eve Whitcomb in the movie Right to Kill?.

Portrayed Aunt Fern in the box office Smash Steel Magnolias

Most recently, Ann was seen in The Hawk Is Dying with Paul Giamatti that was shown at the Sundance Film Festival.

Personal life

She was Rip Torn's first wife, before Torn married Geraldine Page. They have a daughter, actress Danae Torn. She is currently married (since 1970) to acting teacher and director Ernie Martin, and they have a daughter, actress/acting teacher/writer Dianna Martin.

External links

• Ann Wedgeworth official website
• Ann Wedgeworth at the Internet Broadway Database
• Ann Wedgeworth at the Internet Movie Database