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Mildred Dunnock (January 25, 1901 - July 5, 1991) was an Oscar-nominated American theater, film and television actress.

Early life

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Dunnock was a school teacher who did not start acting until she was in her early thirties. Attended Goucher College where she was a member of Alpha Phi sorority.

Career

After a couple of roles in Broadway productions, Dunnock won praise for her performance as a Welsh school teacher in The Corn is Green (1940). The 1945 film version marked her screen debut opposite the late Bette Davis.

During the 1940s Dunnock performed mostly on stage, and scored another major success with Death of a Salesman in 1948. She reprised her role in the 1951 film version. She originated the role of "Big Mama" in the 1956 Broadway version of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, although the movie role would go to Dame Judith Anderson. Her films include The Trouble with Harry (1955), Love Me Tender (movie) (1956), Baby Doll (1956), Peyton Place (film) (1957), The Nun's Story (1959), BUtterfield 8 (1960) and Sweet Bird of Youth (1962).

In addition to her successful career as a character actress in film and theater, Dunnock appeared frequently in numerous TV series in guest roles, and later in her career, several made-for-television movies, including a remake of Death of a Salesman in which she played "Linda Loman" for the third time.

Dunnock was twice nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, for Death of a Salesman in 1951, and for Baby Doll in 1956. She was also nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for Baby Doll. Her final film was The Pick-up Artist in (1987), which starred Robert Downey, Jr. and Molly Ringwald.

Dunnock has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to motion pictures, at 6613 Hollywood Boulevard.

Private life

Dunnock was married to Keith Urmy from 1933 until her death, and had one child. She was also godmother to Italian-American actress Maria Tucci.

Dunnock died in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts of natural causes at the age of 90.

External links

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