Ted Wass
Ted Wass | |
|---|---|
| Born | Theodore Wass October 27, 1952 Lakewood, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, television director |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouse(s) | Nina Wass (1996–present) Janet Margolin (1979–1993) (her death) |
Theodore "Ted" Wass (born October 27, 1952), is an American television director and former actor. He is best known for his roles as Danny Dallas on the series Soap (1977–1981) and as Nick Russo on the NBC sitcom Blossom (1991–1995). Since Blossom ended its run in 1995, Wass has retired from acting and has focused only on directing episodic television.
Education and early career
Wass was born in Lakewood, Ohio. He attended Glenbard West High School and graduated in 1970.[1] He later graduated from DePaul University's Goodman School of Drama.[2]
In 1976, Wass made his Broadway debut in the production Grease playing Danny Zuko.[2]
Acting
He made his television debut as Danny Dallas on Soap opposite stage veteran Katherine Helmond from 1977-1981.
He starred in Curse of the Pink Panther (1983), one of the post-Peter Sellers films in the franchise, as a detective engaged by police chief Dreyfus to track down Inspector Clouseau.[3]
He played struggling musician Bobby Shelton (who trades his soul - and his family - to become ill-fated rock star "Billy Wayne") in the black comedy film Oh, God! You Devil (1984).
He played a sports journalist caught up in a murder in female-Tarzan film Sheena (1984), which received five nominations in the Razzie Awards.[4]
In 1986, he starred in TV movie Triplecross, directed by David Greene, in which he, Markie Post, and Gary Swanson are cops who receive a huge sum of money from a kidnap victim and become private detectives, competing against each other to solve cases.[5] This was intended as a pilot but the series was never picked up.
He played the central character's father in Blossom (1991-1995), a sitcom about a teenage girl with two brothers being brought up by her single father, which was Ted's last acting role.
He appeared on Broadway with his Soap co-star Diana Canova in Neil Simon's They're Playing Our Song.
Personal life
Wass' first wife was actress Janet Margolin, who died in 1993 at age 50 from ovarian cancer; they had two children, Julian and Matilda. His second wife is producer Nina Wass.[6]
Actor filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Family | Sam Trask | Episode: "A Safe House" |
| 1977 | Handle with Care | Cpl. Tillingham | Television pilot |
| 1977–1981 | Soap (TV series) | Danny Dallas | Main cast (77 episodes) |
| 1979 | The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal | Vinnie | Television film |
| 1979 | The Thirteenth Day: The Story of Esther | Simon | Television special |
| 1982 | I Was a Mail Order Bride | Robert Fitzgerald | Television film |
| 1983 | Baby Sister | David Mitchell | Television film |
| 1983 | Curse of the Pink Panther | Sgt. Clifton Sleigh | Feature film |
| 1984 | Sheena | Vic Casey | Feature film |
| 1984 | Oh, God! You Devil | Bobby Shelton | Feature film |
| 1985 | Sins of the Father | Gregory Scott Murchison | Television film |
| 1986 | The Longshot | Stump | Feature film |
| 1986 | Triplecross | Elliott Taffle | Television film |
| 1986 | The Canterville Ghost | Harry Canterville | Television film |
| 1986 | Sunday Drive | Paul Sheridan | Television film (The Disney Sunday Movie) |
| 1987 | CBS Summer Playhouse | Mickey | Episode: "Mickey and Nora" |
| 1988 | Shades of Love: Sunset Court | Dr. Jimmy Fielding | Television film |
| 1988 | Pancho Barnes | Frank Clake | Television film |
| 1989 | Men (TV series) | Dr. Steven Ratajkowski | Main cast (6 episodes) |
| 1989 | Fine Gold | Andre | Feature film |
| 1990 | Sparks: The Price of Passion | Steve Warner | Television film |
| 1991–1995 | Blossom (TV series) | Nick Russo | Main cast (113 episodes) |
| 1993 | Triumph Over Disaster: The Hurricane Andrew Story | Bryan Norcross | Television film |
| 1993 | Danielle Steel's Star | Ernie | Television film |
Director filmography
- Undateable (2014-present)
- Sullivan & Son (2012–present)
- 2 Broke Girls (2011–present)
- State of Georgia (2011)
- Melissa & Joey (2010)
- Accidentally on Purpose (2010)
- Ruby & The Rockits (2009)
- Brothers (2009)
- The Big Bang Theory (2007)
- Two and a Half Men (2007)
- Everybody Hates Chris (2007-2008)
- Rules of Engagement (2007–2013)
- 'Til Death (2006)
- Crumbs (2006)
- Less than Perfect (2002-2006)
- Spin City (2000–2002)
- Two of a Kind (1999)
References
- ^ "History". glenbard1958.
- ^ a b Lights shine on The Theatre School gala honorees, DePaul University
- ^ Brunsdale, Mitzi M. (2010). Icons of Mystery and Crime Detection: From Sleuths to Superheroes. ABC-CLIO. p. 184.
- ^ Wilson, Staci Layne (2007). Animal Movies Guide. p. 18.
- ^ Roberts, Jerry (2009). Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors. Scarecrow. p. 215.
- ^ Ted Wass Biography (1952-), Film Reference
External links
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
- 1952 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American male actors
- Male actors from Illinois
- Male actors from Ohio
- American male film actors
- American people of Hungarian descent
- American male television actors
- American television directors
- DePaul University alumni
- People from Glen Ellyn, Illinois
- People from Lakewood, Ohio