Mary Fickett
Mary Fickett | |
---|---|
Neighborhood Playhouse | |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1946–2000 |
Notable work | The Edge of Night, All My Children |
Spouse |
Allen Fristoe (m. 1979–2008) |
Children | 2 |
Mary Fickett (May 23, 1928 – September 8, 2011) was an American actress with roles in the American television dramas
Early life and career
Fickett was born in
During the 1960s, she was featured in
Personal life
Fickett had two children from her three marriages. Her third and final marriage was to Allen Fristoe (a daytime TV director) from June 1979 until his death in 2008.
All My Children
In January 1970, the
Ruth became an anti-war protester and made some of the first anti-Vietnam speeches aired on American daytime television. This storyline decision, although troubling to television executives at the time, earned Fickett a 1973
Joe and Ruth were happily married, but she later had a friendship with Dr. David Thornton which would jeopardize her marriage. Ruth and Joe thought that they could not conceive a child together. To have the child they always wanted they began proceedings to adopt Tad Gardner, a child who had been pushed out of a moving vehicle. Joe's son and daughter-in-law found Tad and decided to adopt him, but daughter-in-law Mary was killed, so Ruth and Joe adopted him. A problem arose when Tad's father, Ray Gardner, arrived in town wanting money and filed a lawsuit to stop the adoption proceedings. He then tried to extort money from the Martin family, in exchange for stopping the lawsuit. Joe refused to do this and kicked him out of his house, but Ruth called him back saying they could "sort things out". Fickett's second controversial storyline started when Ray showed up in a drunken rage and
Retirement
In the mid-1990s, Fickett decided that she wanted to reduce her schedule and spend more time with her family. She allowed her contract to expire and expected to go on recurring status, meaning she could still appear on the program but did not have to meet any contractual obligations or minimum number of appearances. Negotiations with the producers of the program broke down, and the role of Ruth Martin was recast with Lee Meriwether taking on the character in 1996. In 1999, Meriwether was let go and Fickett rehired on recurring status. She resumed the role of Ruth and supported several front burner storylines including son Tad's romance with Dixie and the breakdown of son Dr. Jake (Joey) Martin's marriage to Gillian. After another year, Fickett decided to call it quits from the busy schedule of soap opera acting and retired in December 2000. In 2002, the producers wanted to bring the character of Ruth back, but Fickett remained in retirement, so Meriwether was rehired and played Ruth whenever the occasion arose.[citation needed]
Health
In 2007, Fickett moved in with her daughter, Bronwyn Congdon, in Colonial Beach, Virginia, where she remained bedridden.[6] Fickett died September 8, 2011, aged 83, at her Callao, Virginia home, from complications of Alzheimer's disease, according to her daughter.[1][2][7] ABC dedicated the series finale episode of All My Children in Fickett's memory. That episode aired September 21, 2011.
References
- ^ a b c Martin, Douglas (September 12, 2011). "Mary Fickett, a Pillar of 'All My Children,' Dies at 83". The New York Times.
- ^ a b "Actress Mary Fickett dies at Callao home". Archived from the original on June 4, 2012.
- ^ "Outstanding Achievement By Individuals In Daytime Drama Nominees / Winners 1973". Television Academy.
- American Media, Inc. Archived from the originalon January 8, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
- American Media, Inc. Archived from the originalon January 8, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
- ^ "News re Fickett's move to her daughter's home". Archived from the original on July 8, 2012.
- ^ "Mary Fickett, AMC's original Ruth, dead at 83". soapcentral.com.