Remembering Marilyn Cooper

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Remembering Marilyn Cooper

Marilyn Cooper, Tony winner in 1981 for "Woman of the Year," passed away yesterday.

She was actually able to steal some of Lauren Bacall's focus in that show, singing a duet with Bacall and stopping the show with her punchlines.

Cooper's career stretched back in 1956 in "Mr. Wonderful." She also played Rosalie in the original production of "West Side Story."

She appeared in "I Can Get it for You Wholesale" and "Mame" as well as playing a number of roles in the Comden and Green (and Jules Styne and Aurthur Laurents" musical "Hallelujah, Baby!"

In the 1970s, she was in "On the Town," "Two by Two," and "Ballroom."

She also did a few straight plays in the '70s, frequently in Neil Simon shows. She was in "Broadway Bound" and "The Odd Couple."

Cooper originated the role of Agnes in "Gypsy," the Hollywood Blonde who develops a close friendship with stripper Tessie Tura.

She will be missed.

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Acting is a Family Affair

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Acting is a Family Affair

Rosa Nevin put acting on the back burner several years ago to raise her children. Now she's back, and her daughter is in tow.

Rosa, who was a star in "All My Children" for five years, is about to open Neil Simon's "Rumors" in Deerfield, IL.

Her husband, Jerry, will be in "Enter Laughing" in April.

Their daughter Samantha, for whom Rosa left full-time acting, is about to play the lead in "The Elves and the Shoemaker" at Glenview Children's Theatre.

Rosa says she has Samantha help her with her lines, and then Samantha has Rosa return the favor.

Rosa says she and Jerry tried to keep their daughters away from acting, but then a friend of Samantha's got interested in theatre, and then the daughter got "hooked."

It's an interesting transition for Rosa. Some days several people recognize her from the soap opera, and some days, she's "just" the mom to her daughters.

Gina Wilhelm Actress