Anne Pitoniak (March 30, 1922 – April 22, 2007) was an American actress. She was nominated twice for Broadway's Tony Award as Best Actress (Play) in 1983 for 'night, Mother and as Best Actress (Featured Role – Play) in 1994 for a revival of William Inge's Picnic. She is best known for her roles in The Survivors (1983), Housekeeping (1987), Hiding Out (1987), and Where the Money Is (2000).
Early life and education Pitoniak was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, the daughter of Sophie (née Porubovic) and John Pitoniak.Anne Pitoniak Biography (1922-) Film Reference. She was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Career Pitoniak spent two years as a civilian actress immediately after World War II, touring Japan, the Philippines and Korea for the Special Services.
In 'night, Mother she played a mother who tries to talk her grown daughter out of suicide. The play premiered at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before moving to Broadway. Pitoniak and co-star Kathy Bates received Best Actress Tony Award nominations for their work. In 1994, Pitoniak received a second Tony nomination for her performance as Helen Potts in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Picnic. She also appeared on Broadway in Agnes of God, The Octette Bridge Club, Amy's View, Uncle Vanya, Dance of Death, and Imaginary Friends.
Pitoniak performed regularly at the Actors Theatre of Louisville for five years, appearing in plays such as Norman's Getting Out, D.L. Coburn's The Gin Game, and Jane Martin's Middle Aged White Guys. She also worked steadily in film and television, including the 1983 comedy film The Survivors, the 1987 comedic drama films Housekeeping and Hiding Out and the 2000 comedy-drama crime film Where the Money Is. Pitoniak also had a supporting role in the 1985 film version of Agnes of God, where she played the mother of Jane Fonda's character after previously playing Mother Miriam Ruth in the Broadway version.
In 1987, Pitoniak played the role of Mary in the 1987 Cheers episode "Pudd'n Head Boyd". In 1988, she played Cornelia in The Wizard of Loneliness. In 2001, she played the role of Mrs. Berry in the Law and Order: SVU episode "Redemption".
Personal life Pitoniak met her future husband, Jerome Milord, then a soldier, when they were in a United Service Organizations show in Japan. She died from cancer at her home in Manhattan at age 85.
Filmography
Film +YearTitleRoleNotes1983The SurvivorsBetty1984Old EnoughKatherine1985Agnes of GodDr. Livingston's Mother1987Sister, SisterMrs. Bettlehelm1987Best SellerMrs. Foster1987HousekeepingAunt Lily1987Hiding OutGrandma Jennie1988The Wizard of LonelinessCornelia1989Old GringoMrs. Winslow1991The Ballad of the Sad CaféMrs. McPhail1991V.I. WarshawskiLotty1993House of CardsJudge1996Bed of RosesGrandma Jean1997Julian PoMrs. Danforth1997A Thousand AcresMary Livingstone1999The OpportunistsAunt Dee2000Where the Money IsMrs. Tetlow2002UnfaithfulGrandma
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1960The Robert Herridge TheaterMother's VoiceEpisode: "All the Petals of All the Roses in the World"1984A Doctor's StoryGray LadyTelevision film1984–1985AfterMASHMildred Potter9 episodes1984–1989American PlayhouseVarious roles3 episodes1985Hill Street BluesMrs. Louise TrippEpisode: "Intestinal Fortitude"1985The EqualizerLilly Episode: "Back Home"1986Miracle of the Heart: A Boys Town StoryMaggie ScottTelevision film1987CheersMaryEpisode: "Pudd'n Head Boyd"1988CBS Summer PlayhouseMomEpisode: "Whattley by the Bay"1989No Place Like HomeOpalTelevision film1990H.E.L.P.Mrs. McKeeEpisode: "Are You There, Alpha Centauri?"1990Working GirlMrs. LevitskyEpisode: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"1992Down the ShoreMrs. KrellEpisode: "Hitting Mrs. Krell"1994In the Best of FamiliesNanna NewsomMiniseries1996New York UndercoverMrs. HaggardEpisode: "Tough Love"1996The Christmas TreeMother Superior FrancesTelevision film1998ERRuth JohnsonEpisode: "Good Luck, Ruth Johnson"1998Grace and GlorieBernice WallaceTelevision film1998TrinityMrs. BurrisEpisode: "...To Forgive, Divine"1999BeckerTillieEpisode: "Love! Lies! Bleeding!"2001, 2005Law & Order: Special Victims UnitMrs. Larson / Mrs. Berry2 episodes2000–2002Third WatchMrs. Irene Sullivan4 episodes
References
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