Claim to Fame: While Ann has had many, many roles her short-lived role
in 'Three's Company' in 1979 as Lana Shields may be what most of us know her
from. The other role she is closely identified with is that of Merleen Eldridge
from the Burt Reynolds sitcom 'Evening Shade'.
Family Life: Ernest "Ernie" Martin (1970 - present) 1 child
Rip Torn (1956 - 1961) (divorced) 1 daughter
Info: A versatile performer, she enjoys many of the great female roles
penned by Tennessee Williams. She is naturally partial to dramatic roles, but
can hold her own in a comedy.
Ann has been seen on the Broadway stage in plays such as Thieves, Make a Million
and The Last Analysis. Her many movie roles include The Hunter's Moon (1999),
The Whole Wide World
(1996), Love and a .45 (1994), Green Card (1990) and Steel Magnolias (1989).
Trivia:
Attended The University of Texas at Austin (graduated 1957).
Attended high school in Dallas with Jayne Mansfield... they were childhood
friends Jayne Mansfield.
1958 NYC stage debut, "The Crucible"
1965 Film debut, "Andy"
1970 Played Lahoma Lucas on NBC daytime drama "Somerset"
Played Bootsie Westchester on CBS sitcom "Filthy Rich"
Won Broadway's 1978 Tony Award as Best Actress for "Chapter Two."
Won a Drama Desk Award for her role in "A Lie of the Mind" (1986).
Appeared on "The Edge of Night" (CBS) and the NBC dramas "Another World" and its
spin-off "Somerset".
She was Rip Torn's first wife, before he married Geraldine Page. They have a
daughter, actress Danae Torn.
Over fifteen years after their divorce she appeared with ex-husband Rip Torn in
the film Birch Interval (1976). By this time he was married to actress Geraldine
Page.
Wedgeworth joined the seasoned cast of "Three's Company" in 1979 as bosomy
neighbor/ divorcée Lana Shields who had strict and assertive designs on 'John
Ritter's Jack Tripper character. It was a tawdry, one-note character that really
didn't fit in with the harmless leering and silly, physical slapstick of the
show.
She was promptly written out of the series in mid-season with no
explanation given in the story for Lana's disappearance. Later Wedgeworth
revealed that she wasn't "fired" but asked to be let go. After shooting a couple
of episodes of the show, Wedgeworth said, some of the cast members were
complaining about the size of her part and the character dwindled down to
practically "nothing". Wedgeworth asked the producers to write the part of Lana
back to the way it was intended or release her.
Where
is She Now: Ann has kept busy in both films and TV throughout her career.
Most recently, Ann was seen in 'The Hawk Is Dying' with Paul Giamatti that was
shown at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006.
She is now living in Austin, TX just waiting for her next role.
Write to Ann Wedgeworth at: Ann Wedgeworth
70 Riverside Dr
New York, NY 10024
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CREDITS:
The Hawk Is Dying (2006) .... Ma Gattling
The Hunter's Moon (1999) .... Borlene
The Whole Wide World (1996) .... Mrs. Howard
Fight for Justice: Nancy Conn Story (1995) (TV) .... Mary Howell
A Burning Passion: Margaret Mitchell Story (1994) Mrs. O'Flaherty
Love and a .45 (1994) .... Thaylene Cheatham
"Evening Shade" .... Merleen Eldridge (73 episodes, 1990-1994)
Harlan & Merleen (1993) (TV) .... Merleen Elldridge
Cooperstown (1993) (TV) .... Lila Kunznick
Hard Promises (1991) .... Chris's Mom
Green Card (1990) .... Party Guest
"Roseanne" .... Audrey Conner (1 episode, 1989)
- We Gather Together (1989) TV episode .... Audrey Conner
Steel Magnolias (1989) .... Aunt Fern
Miss Firecracker (1989) .... Miss Blue
Far North (1988) .... Amy
A Tiger's Tale (1988) .... Claudine
Made in Heaven (1987) .... Annette Shea
"The Equalizer" .... Irene Baylor (1 episode, 1987)
- Suspicion of Innocence (1987) TV episode .... Irene Baylor
A Stranger Waits (1987) (TV) .... Susan Berger
"The Twilight Zone" .... Toy Store Clerk (1 episode, 1986)
- The After Hours (1986) TV episode .... Toy Store Clerk
The Men's Club (1986) .... Jo
Sylvan in Paradise (1986) (TV) .... Polly
"One Life to Live" (1968) TV series .... Charlie Barnes (1985)
Sweet Dreams (1985) .... Hilda Hensley
My Science Project (1985) .... Dolores
Right to Kill? (1985) (TV) .... Eve Whitcomb
No Small Affair (1984) .... Joan Cummings
"Filthy Rich" .... Bootsie Westchester ... (15 episodes, 1982-1983)
"Trapper John, M.D." (1 episode, 1982)
- The Peter Pan Syndrome (1982) TV episode
Killjoy (1981) (TV) .... Rosie
Elvis and the Beauty Queen (1981) (TV) .... Aunt Betty
Bogie (1980) (TV) .... Mayo Methot
Soggy Bottom, USA (1980) .... Dusty Wheeler
"Three's Company" .... Lana Shields (1979-1980)
Handle with Care (1977) .... Dallas Angel
The War Between the Tates (1977) (TV) .... Danielle Zimmerman
Thieves (1977) .... Nancy
Birch Interval (1976) .... Marie
Dragonfly (1976) .... Pearlie
"Bronk" .... Kate (1 episode, 1975)
- The Gauntlet (1975) TV episode .... Kate
Law and Disorder (1974) .... Sally
Pittsville - Ein Safe voll Blut (1974) .... Kit Loring
Bang the Drum Slowly (1973) .... Katie
Scarecrow (1973) .... Frenchy
"Somerset" (1970) TV series .... Lahoma Vale Lucas (1970-1973)
"Another World" (1964) .... Lahoma Vale Lucas (1967-1970)
"The Edge of Night" (1956) .... 'Angie' Talbot (1966-1967)
Andy (1965)
"The Defenders" .... Sally Bernard (1 episode, 1964)
- Hero of the People (1964) TV episode .... Sally Bernard
Updated:
4/25/2008
