THE HAT SQUAD: MAUREEN STAPLETON

Maureen Stapleton, who created a gallery of pugnacious, sometimes profane but always vulnerable heroines on Broadway, in films and on television and who won an Academy Award for her fiery performance as the anarchist Emma Goldman in "Reds," died yesterday at her home in Lenox, Mass. She was 80.

Ms. Stapleton had one of the most honored acting careers of her generation. Her Academy Award for "Reds," Warren Beatty's 1981 epic about the Russian Revolution, came on her fourth Oscar nomination. She also won two Tony Awards and an Emmy among many nominations.

When NBC was adamant about producing a sequel to 'Columbo' when Peter Falk was ready to pack it in, and that they wanted it to be about Mrs. Columbo, Levinson & Linke (the producers) reluctantly agreed, suggesting Maureen Stapleton for the role. (My idea: Sada Thomson.)

When NBC said they wanted someone young and glamorous, L&L balked and walked.

I think she had to be part of the most asked question in all those "TV Key Mailbag" type of Q&A columns in the paper dealing with TV:

"Are Maureen Stapleton and Jean Stapleton related?"

The answer is no, by the way. Stop asking.

BCnU....Tele-Toby

"Avonlea"
- What a Tangled Web We Weave (1995) TV Episode .... Maggie MacPhee

Miss Rose White (1992) (TV) .... Tanta Perla

Last Wish (1992) (TV) .... Ida Rollin

"The Equalizer"
- The Caper (1989) TV Episode .... 'Emmy' Rutherford

"B.L. Stryker" - Auntie Sue (1989) TV Episode

Liberace: Behind the Music (1988) .... Frances Liberace

"The Thorns" (1988) TV Series .... Peggy/Mrs. Hamilton

Private Sessions (1985/I) (TV) .... Dr. Liz Bolger

Sentimental Journey (1984) (TV) .... Ruthie

Family Secrets (1984) (TV) .... Maggie Lukauer

Alice in Wonderland (1983) (TV) .... White Queen

Little Gloria... Happy at Last (1982) (TV) .... Nurse Emma Kieslich

The Electric Grandmother (1982) (TV) .... Grandmother

The Gathering, Part II (1979) (TV) .... Kate Thornton

Letters from Frank (1979) (TV) .... Betty Miller

"Saturday Night Live"
- Episode #4.19 (1979) TV Episode .... Host

The Gathering (1977) (TV) .... Kate Thornton

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1976) (TV) .... Big Mama

Queen of the Stardust Ballroom (1975) (TV) .... Beatrice 'Bea' Asher

Tell Me Where It Hurts (1974) (TV) .... Connie

Mirror, Mirror Off the Wall (1969) (TV)

Among the Paths to Eden (1967) (TV) .... Mary O'Meaghan

"East Side/West Side"
- One Drink at a Time (1964) TV Episode .... Molly

"The DuPont Show of the Week"
- The Betrayal (1962) TV Episode .... Professor Gretchen Anna Thaelman

"Naked City"
- Kill Me While I'm Young So I Can Die Happy (1962) TV Episode .... Ruth Cullan
- Ooftus Goofus (1961) TV Episode .... Abbey Bick

"Car 54, Where Are You?"
- The Gypsy Curse (1961) TV Episode .... Mrs. Anna Lupesko

"Play of the Week"
- Four by Tennessee (1961) TV Episode

"Playhouse 90"
- For Whom the Bell Tolls: Part 2 (1959) TV Episode .... Pilar
- For Whom the Bell Tolls: Part 1 (1959) TV Episode .... Pilar

"Kraft Television Theatre"
- All the King's Men: Part 2 (1958) TV Episode .... Sadie Burke
- All the King's Men: Part 1 (1958) TV Episode .... Sadie Burke

"Studio One"
- Rachel (1956) TV Episode .... Rachel Jackson

"The Alcoa Hour"
- No License to Kill (II) (1956) TV Episode .... Vi Miller

"Armstrong Circle Theatre"
- H.R. 8438: The Story of a Lost Boy (1956) TV Episode .... Mrs. Elizabeth Steigerwald
- Minding Our Own Business (1955) TV Episode

"Justice"
- Track of Fear (1955) TV Episode

"The Philco Television Playhouse"
- Incident in July (1955) TV Episode .... Mrs. Johnson
- The Mother (1954) TV Episode

"Star Tonight"
- Gallant Lady (1955) TV Episode

"Goodyear Television Playhouse"
- The Accident (1953) TV Episode

"Curtain Call"
- Carrie Marr (1952) TV Episode

Lincoln (1992) (TV) (voice) .... Sarah Bush Lincoln

[Thanks to the IMDb.com]