Marietta Marich (; née Cox; April 5, 1930 – September 28, 2017) was an American actress, singer, writer, stage director, and television host. Born in Dallas, Texas, Marich became a prominent stage actress in Houston beginning in the 1950s. She later began appearing in films in the 1980s, making her screen debut in Courtship (1987). She subsequently appeared in a number of films in supporting roles, including Simple Men (1992), Leap of Faith (1992), and Wes Anderson's Rushmore (1998).
Marich garnered renewed attention for her portrayal of Luda Mae Hewitt, mother of Leatherface, in the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, as well as its prequel, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006). Her final film appearance was in House of Good and Evil (2013), before her death in 2017 of aortic dissection, aged 87.
Biography Marich was born Marietta Cox in Dallas, Texas on April 5, 1930. Both her parents were performers, and she began appearing in theatrical productions with them at USO events in her childhood. She also sang in the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
In the 1950s, Marich became a well-known figure in Houston, where she hosted her own local television show, called Midnight With Marietta, and operated several live theaters in Houston of which she was principal director. She originated the role of Miss Mona in the first Houston version of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in 1979, but was subsequently fired from the production due to professional clashes with the theater company. Marich responded that she had been fired "because I am a perfectionist, and I made demands for perfection."
Marich made her feature film debut in the 1987 film Courtship. She went on to appear in supporting roles in a number of films throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, including Simple Men (1992), Leap of Faith (1993), Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering (1996), Two Mothers for Zachary (1998), and Wes Anderson's cult film Rushmore (also 1998).
In her later years, she became known for her roles in horror films, including the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, starring Jessica Biel. Marich reprised her role as Luda Mae Hewitt in the 2006 prequel, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. In 2013, she replaced fellow veteran actress Tippi Hedren in House of Good and Evil.
Personal life Marich was married to former radio host Bob Marich who predeceased her in 2012. They had a son, actor Michael Marich, and a daughter, Allison, who portrayed a younger version of Marietta's character in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning.
Death Marich died on September 28, 2017, in Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, following complications from an aortic dissection. Her memorial service took place at the Grace Presbyterian Church in Houston, where she was a member.
Filmography Year Title Role Director(s) Notes 1987 Courtship Aunt Sarah 1988 Full Moon in Blue Water Lois 1989 The Fulfillment of Mary Gray Aunt Mabel Television film 1992 Simple Men Mom 1992 Leap of Faith Mrs. Hawkins 1993 A Perfect World Farmer's Wife 1995 A Woman of Independent Means Mama Miniseries 1995 The Stars Fell on Henrietta Adult Pauline Voice narration 1995 In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy Mrs. Jennings Television film 1995 She Fought Alone Mrs. Johnson Television film 1995 Two Mothers for Zachary Melba Television film 1996 Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering Rosa Nock 1998 Rushmore Mrs. Guggenheim 2000 Clean and Narrow Arlene Riley 2000 Picnic Mrs. Potts Television film 2000 Lone Star Struck Ellie Thelma Betty Lou 2003 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Luda Mae Hewitt 2006 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning Luda Mae Hewitt 2013 House of Good and Evil Mrs. Anderson
Select stage credits Year Title Role Location Notes 1953 Miranda Miranda Lee College Auditorium 1955 Oklahoma! Laurey Houston Theatre, Inc. 1963 Champagne Revue USS Bushnell, Galveston, Texas Director 1966 The Sound of Music Maria von Trapp Houston Theater, Inc. 1969 Mary, Mary Holiday Dinner Theatre, Houston Director 1969 Don't Drink the Water Holiday Dinner Theatre, Houston Director 1970 Three Bags Full Holiday Dinner Theatre, Houston Director 1970 The Festival Holiday Dinner Theatre, Houston Director 1975 The King and I Anna Theatre Under the Stars 1975 Kiss or Make Up Dean Goss Dinner Theatre, Houston Director 1979 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Miss Mona Tower Theater, Houston 1981 Mame Mame College of the Mainland Theatre
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