Gail Fisher
Gail Fisher | |
---|---|
Born | Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | August 18, 1935
Died | December 2, 2000 Culver City, California, U.S. | (aged 65)
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1959–1990 |
Spouses | John Levy
(m. 1964; div. 1972)Robert A. Walker
(m. 1973; div. 1973)
|
Children | 2 |
Gail Fisher (August 18, 1935 – December 2, 2000) was an American actress who was one of the first black women to play substantive roles in American television.
Early years
The youngest of five children, Fisher was born in
In a contest sponsored by Coca-Cola, Fisher won the opportunity to spend two years studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. As a student of acting in New York City, she worked with Lee Strasberg[6] and became a member of the Repertory Theater at Lincoln Center, where she worked with Elia Kazan and Herbert Blau.[4][5][7] As a young woman, she also worked as a model.[5]
Career
Fisher made her first television appearance in 1960 at age 25, appearing in the
She first appeared in Mannix during the second season, when Mannix leaves a detective firm and sets up shop as a private investigator. She became the second African American woman after
Songwriting
Fisher was also a lyricist for a number of jazz songs. With Vincent Levy, she wrote lyrics to
Personal life
Fisher was married and divorced three times. She had two daughters, Samara and Jolie, from her 1964 marriage to John Levy.
Death
Fisher died in Los Angeles in 2000, aged 65, reportedly from kidney failure.[3][4][note 1] Twelve hours later, her brother Clifton died from heart failure.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1960 | The New Girl | The New Girl in the Office | Short film co–written by Lewis Freedman and Lester Cooper and directed by Freedman |
1987 | Mankillers | Joan Hanson | Action film written and directed by David A. Prior[16][17] |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1959–60 | The Play of the Week | Joyce Lane | Episode: "Simply Heavenly" |
Guest | Episode: "Climate of Eden" | ||
1962 | The Defenders | The Singer | Episode: "Grandma TNT" |
1963 | The Doctors | Diane | Recurring |
1967 | He & She | Helen | Episode: "One of Our Firemen is Missing" |
The Second Hundred Years | Young Matron | Episode: "Luke's First Christmas" | |
1968 | My Three Sons | Carla | Episode: "Gossip, Incorporated" |
1968–1975 | Mannix | Peggy Fair | 147 episodes Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (1972, 1974) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1971–1973) |
1969 | Love, American Style | Mercy | Segment: "Love and the Hustler" |
1970 | Insight | Mrs. Carter | Episode: "The Incident on Danker Street" |
1971 | Celebrity Bowling | Herself | Recurring |
1971 | Room 222 | Diana Brown | Episode: "Welcome Back, Miss Brown" |
Love, American Style | Penny | Segment: "Love and the Baby" | |
1972 | Every Man Needs One | Pauline Kramer | Made-for-TV-film written by Carl Kleinschmitt and directed by Jerry Paris |
1975 | Medical Center | Bonnie Horne | Episode: "Street Girl" |
1979 | Fantasy Island | Dr. Frantz | Episode: "Hit Man/The Swimmer" |
1982 | General Hospital | Judge Heller | Recurring |
1983 | Knight Rider | Thelma | Episode: "Short Notice" |
1985 | Hotel
|
Fran Willis | Episode: "Hearts and Minds" |
1986 | He's the Mayor | Lila | Episode: "Take My Father Please" |
1990 | Donor | Secretary | Made-for-TV-film written by Michael Braverman and directed by Larry Shaw |
Awards and honors
Year | Result | Award | Category | Television series |
---|---|---|---|---|
1970 | Won | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama | Mannix |
1971 | Nominated | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama | Mannix |
1972 | Nominated | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama | Mannix |
1973 | Nominated | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama | Mannix |
1971 | Won | Golden Globe Award |
Best Supporting Actress - Television Series | Mannix |
1972 | Nominated | Golden Globe Award | Best Supporting Actress - Television Series | Mannix |
1973 | Won | Golden Globe Award | Best Actress - Television Series Drama | Mannix |
1974 | Nominated | Golden Globe Award | Best Supporting Actress - Television Series | Mannix |
References
Notes
- ^ The reference book African Americans in the Performing Arts says that Fisher died of lung cancer.
Citations
- ^ "Gail Fisher". 31 March 2014. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ Jetas its source.
- ^ a b c Otfinoski 2010, pp. 68–69.
- ^ a b c d e f Van Gelder, Lawrence (February 20, 2001). "Gail Fisher, 65, TV Actress Who Won Emmy for 'Mannix'". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved February 20, 2001.
- ^ ISBN 0-8103-9177-5. Pages 223–224.
- ISBN 0-02-542650-8.
- ^ a b "TV Actress Gail Fisher Dies at 65". Associated Press. New York City: Associated Press, Inc. February 22, 2001. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
- ^ "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy". Billboard Database. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ "74 Miles Away". CannonballAdderley.com. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ "Stolen Moments". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ "SecondsOut Boxing News - Thomas Hauser - Mike Tyson and Other Notes". Secondsout.com. October 26, 2009. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ "In loving memory of W'ali "Blood" Mohammad" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- ^ Allah, The (January 22, 2012). "The Allah Team™: Wali Mohammed (R.I.P.)". Allahteam.blogspot.com. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
- ^ "Mannix Girl Orders Spouse To Stay Away From Her". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. July 26, 1973. p. 57. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
- ASIN B01HNBX05A. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
- ASIN B01HNBX050. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
Sources
- ISBN 978-0816078387.
External links
- Gail Fisher at IMDb