Sandy Dennis

She died from ovarian cancer in Westport, Connecticut. Fairchild scored her biggest recognition in some time by starring in TV ads for the Old Navy clothing store for several years, essentially playing herself. Her last significant film role was in Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (1982). She cultivated an image through her glamour as well as her extremely professional and courteous personality (a contrast from the "divas" she tends to portray). An advocate of method acting Dennis was often described as neurotic and mannered in her performances, with many critics stating her style was better suited for the stage rather than the screen. Dennis also placed a higher priority on her stage work. Fairchild continues to appear regularly on television, and is active in raising awareness of AIDS related issues, and environmental protection. Fairchild is unique in the sense that she has never had a starring role in a successful film or television series. She followed this with well-received performances in Up the Down Staircase (1967), The Fox (1967), Sweet November (1968) and The Out-of-Towners (1970). Fairchild's personal life has been more low-key but she was married to Jack Calmes from 1967-1973 and dated US Senator and future Presidential candidate John Kerry in the early 90's.

Born in Hastings, Nebraska, Dennis made her television debut in 1956 in The Guiding Light and her film debut in Splendor in the Grass (1961), however she was more committed to following a career in theater. She won consecutive Tony Awards for her performances in A Thousand Clowns and Any Wednesday, and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966). In the early 80's she appeared in off-Broadway plays such as Geniuses and garnered rave reviews from Time and the New York Times. Sandra (Sandy) Dale Dennis (April 27, 1937 – March 2, 1992) was an American theater and film actress. Through the years she also maintained a career in independent films and theater productions. She also made a guest appearance in the American series Friends and was a recurring guest star on Cybill as Andrea, the rival of Cybill Shepherd's character. In 1995, she returned to soaps as bitch Sydney Chase on The City, but only stayed for a year.

She garnered an Emmy nomination for her role in a Murphy Brown episode and in the early 90's the Roseanne producers capitalized on her name value and cast her in a small role as bisexual Sandra Bernhard's girlfriend. By this time she was established as a leading television actress and appeared in the series Falcon Crest. In 1984 she headlined another series, Paper Dolls, where critics considered her the only bright spot, but poor ratings doomed the series. In the late 70's she had a stint on Mork & Mindy and subsequently had her first starring role in a prime time series, Flamingo Road, earning a nomination for an Emmy Award for her performance.

She moved to Los Angeles and was cast as Jenna Wade in the television series Dallas in 1978, appearing in one episode (the role was later played by Priscilla Presley). Moving to New York City, she secured her first on-screen role, appearing as maniacal Jennifer Pace in the daytime soap opera Search for Tomorrow from 1973 until 1977. She took her new first name, Morgan, from the 1966 David Warner film, Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment. Born Patsy Ann McClenny in Dallas, Texas, Fairchild's first job was as a stand in for Faye Dunaway during location filming for the movie Bonnie and Clyde (1967).

Morgan Fairchild (born February 3, 1950) is an American actress. Tribute page (http://www.morganfairchildtribute.com/). Official website (http://www.morganfairchild.com/). IMDB profile (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000392/).