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Virginia Dwyer

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Dbart (talk | contribs) at 22:24, 15 February 2020 (corrected name of series to The Wonderful John Acton and added 1953 as the year of the series). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Dwyer in 1941

Virginia Dwyer Gorman (December 19, 1919 – August 20, 2012) was an actress known for her roles in several daytime soap operas. From 1954 to 1962, she had roles on at least five daytime programs, including The Road of Life,[1] The Secret Storm, Young Dr. Malone, Guiding Light, and As the World Turns.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska,[2] Dwyer first acted on TV in a live drama on WABD in New York City.[3]

She was best known for her role as matriarch Mary Matthews on Another World, a role she played from the series premiere in 1964 until her departure in 1975. Although popular with the audience, she fell into disfavor with headwriter Harding Lemay, reportedly because she refused to learn her dialogue as written. Finally, Lemay had the Mary Matthews character die unexpectedly off-camera, thus eliminating Dwyer from the program. After being a regular performer on daytime television for over 20 years, Dwyer did not work on daytime again (other than appearing in one commercial) after leaving Another World.

On old-time radio, Dwyer played Ellen Smith in Houseboat Hannah[4]: 158  and Sally Farrell in Front Page Farrell.[4] On TV, she portrayed Julia Acton in The Wonderful John Acton (1953).[1]: 1193 

She was at one time married to director/producer Walter Gorman. She died in 2012 in Manhattan aged 92.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 898. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  2. ^ Walls, Bette (September 20, 1966). "Let's talk TV". The Reporter-Times. Indiana, Martinsville. p. 5. Retrieved February 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Pack, Harvey (May 16, 1969). "Virginia Dwyer Likes Daytime Show". The Star Press. Indiana, Muncie. p. 29. Retrieved February 11, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 125. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4.
  5. ^ "VIRGINIA GORMAN Obituary: View VIRGINIA GORMAN's Obituary by New York Times". Legacy.com. 1919-12-19. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
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