Norma Connolly (August 27, 1927 – November 18, 1998) was an American actress having a career spanning five decades and known for her roles on The Young Marrieds as Lena Karr Gilroy and General Hospital as Ruby Anderson.
Early life Connolly was born on August 27, 1927, in Boston, Massachusetts to Beulah and Archie Connolly, where her father owned a lumber business. She graduated from Brandeis University in 1958. Connolly studied acting with Morris Carnovsky at the Leland Powers School of Drama, with both Harold Clurman and Stella Adler at Actors Studio, and at the Cushing Academy.
Career Film and television Connolly started her career as a guest star on Pulitzer Prize Playhouse in 1951. She next was in Celanese Theatre as Marcia in 1952. Connollly would guest star in a number of television programs such as Danger, Naked City, The Twilight Zone, Dr. Kildare, Mr. Novak, The F.B.I., I Dream of Jeannie, The Bold Ones: The New Doctors, Columbo, Little House on the Prairie, and Charlie's Angels. She starred in the made-for-TV-movies Mr. and Mrs. Cop and F. Scott Fitzgerald in Hollywood. Connolly starred in the miniseries QB VII as Corinne. She is best known for her roles as Lena Karr Gilroy in The Young Marrieds from 1964 to 1966 and Ruby Anderson on General Hospital from 1979 to 1998. She was in Alfred Hitchcock's The Wrong Man (1956), Robert Lewin's Third of a Man (1962), Robert Mulligan's The Other (1972), and James Goldstone's They Only Kill Their Masters (1972). She was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance as Ruby Anderson in 1985 at the 12th Daytime Emmy Awards.
Theatre On stage, Connolly was in A Streetcar Named Desire on Broadway. She was in Night of the Iguana and The Crucible at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre. Connolly also appeared on Broadway in such plays as The Love of Four Colonels and Make a Million.
Personal life and death Connolly married Howard Rodman in 1954; the marriage ended when he died on December 5, 1985. Together, they had three children: two sons and one daughter. She was active in the battle against AIDS, serving on the board of Hollywood Helps. Connolly addressed the concerns of actresses in their limited roles in television and film productions. She died on Wednesday, November 18, 1998, from complications of a stroke.(via Google news)
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1956 The Wrong Man Betty Todd Docudrama film directed by Alfred Hitchcock.Variety film review; January 2, 1957, page 6. 1962 Third of a Man Extra 1972 The Other Aunt Vee Psychological thriller film directed by Robert Mulligan and adapted for film by Tom Tryon from his novel of the same name. They Only Kill Their Masters Mrs. DeCamp Mystery film directed by James Goldstone.
Television Year Title Role Notes 1951 Pulitzer Prize Playhouse Episode: "Ned McCobb's Daughter" (S 1:Ep 15) 1952 Celanese Theatre Marcia Episode: "On Borrowed Time" (S 1:Ep 20) 1953 Danger Episode: "Missing Night" (S 3:Ep 41) 1956 Star Stage Episode: "Scandal on Deepside" (S 1:Ep 30) 1959 Alcoa Theatre Episode: "How's Business?" (S 2:Ep 15) 1960 Naked City Ruth Peters Episode: "Killer with a Kiss" (S 2:Ep 6) 1961 The Twilight Zone Night Nurse Episode: "Twenty Two" (S 2:Ep 17) 1962 The Real McCoys Carol Dorset Episode: "The Washing Machine" (S 5:Ep 13) Dr. Kildare Therapist Episode: "Breakdown" (S 2:Ep 7) Eleventh Hour Ruth Episode: "Ruth" (S 1:Ep 7) The Real McCoys Ethel Episode: "Luke the Reporter" (S 6:Ep 13) 1963 The Lloyd Bridges Show Winnie Episode: "The Ramp" (S 1:Ep 31) Naked City Pearl Wystemski Episode: "Golden Lads and Girls" (S 4:Ep 33) 1964 Many Happy Returns Laughing Woman Episode: "Walter Meets the Machine" (S 1:Ep 2) The Young Marrieds Lena Karr Gilroy Contract role from October 5, 1964 – March 25, 1966 Mr. Novak Mrs. Parker Episode: "'A' Is for Anxiety" (S 2:Ep 10) 1965 Ben Casey Mrs. Mangiopani Episode: "Eulogy in Four Flats" (S 4:Ep 24) The F.B.I. Woman Episode: "The Giant Killer" (S 1:Ep 10) 1966 Gidget Miss Beckley Episode: "Ask Helpful Hannah" (S 1:Ep 29) The F.B.I. Aline Spencer Episode: "The Animal" (S 1:Ep 29) 1967 The Invaders Waitress Episode: "The Spores" (S 2:Ep 7) Dundee and the Culhane Episode: "The Widow's Weeds Brief" (S 1:Ep 11) 1970 I Dream of Jeannie Mrs. Ross Episode: "Jeannie, the Recording Secretary" (S 5:Ep 20) Adam-12 Eva Foster Episode: "Log 75: Have a Nice Weekend" (S 3:Ep 7) The Bold Ones: The New Doctors Mrs. Dorsey Episode: "First: No Harm to the Patient" (S 2:Ep 4) 1971 The F.B.I. Ruth Oliver Episode: "Unknown Victim" (S 6:Ep 15) Columbo Celia Episode: "Ransom for a Dead Man" (Second pilot) 1972 The Man and the City Episode: "Diagnosis: Corruption" (S 1:Ep 15) 1973 The Streets of San Francisco Mrs. Carter Episode: "A Wrongful Death" (S 2:Ep 1)1974 QB VII Corinne Miniseries directed by Tom Gries Mr. and Mrs. Cop Mother Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Harvey Hart. Ironside Lydia Todd Episodes: Police Woman Stage Mother Episode: "The Beautiful Die Young" (S 1:Ep 2) Little House on the Prairie Mrs. Kirkwood Episode: "Ma's Holiday" (S 1:Ep 8) 1975 Harry O Mrs. Hodges Episode:"Lester" (S 1:Ep 20) F. Scott Fitzgerald in Hollywood Zelda's Nurse Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Anthony Page. 1976 Police Woman Landlady Episode: "Mother Love" (S 2:Ep 22) The Bionic Woman Mrs. Noah Episode: "Jaime's Mother" (S 1:Ep 8) Charlie's Angels Mrs. Lemson Episode: "Hellride" (S 1:Ep 1) 1977 Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman Prisoner Episode: "Episode #2.90" (S 2:Ep 153) The Edge of Night Mrs. Yost Unknown number of episodes 1979-1997 General Hospital Ruby Anderson Contract role(final appearance) 1999 Intimate Portrait Herself
Awards and nominations +List of acting awards and nominations Year Award Category Title Result 1985 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series General Hospital
See also
List of longest-serving soap opera actors
References
External links