 |
Florence StanleyAmerican stage, film and television actress
Date of Birth: 01.07.1924
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Florence Stanley
Florence Stanley, born as Florence Schwartz on July 1, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois, USA, was an American stage, film, and television actress. She began her extensive acting career in the early 1940s as the daughter of Hannah Weil and Jack Schwartz. Among her early theater performances were plays such as "The Importance of Being Earnest," "The Machine," and "The Dead at New York," in which she played at the Cherry Lane Theatre.
Stage Career and Recognition
During the 1950s, Stanley appeared in numerous television shows and gained special attention for her portrayal of Clytemnestra, the daughter of Leda and Tyndareus, in Sophocles' play "Electra," which starred Lee Grant and was part of the New York Shakespeare Festival in 1964. In 1965, Florence started performing on Broadway as an understudy for Maureen Stapleton in the revival of "The Glass Menagerie," which led her to stay on the legendary New York street for many years.
Starting in 1966, Stanley played the role of the local matchmaker Yente in the Broadway musical "Fiddler on the Roof" over 2000 times. In 1971, she left the production for Neil Simon's comedy play "The Prisoner of Second Avenue," directed by Melvin Frank. In 1972, Florence showcased her comedic skills in the Broadway production of "The Secret Affairs of Mildred Wild," and in 1981, she was involved in another Neil Simon project, the play "Fools," which did not gain popularity.
Film and Television Roles
Florence Stanley's film roles began with the drama film "Up the Down Staircase" in 1967, alongside Sandy Dennis. In 1973, she asked Mike Nichols for a small role in his science fiction thriller "The Day of the Dolphin." She reprised her role from "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" in its film adaptation in 1975 and appeared in another Nichols film in the same year, his crime comedy "The Fortune" with Stockard Channing and Warren Beatty.
In the sitcom "My Two Dads," Stanley can be easily recognized in the role of Judge Wilbur, and besides her acting appearances, she directed three episodes of the show. She also appeared in the television series "Night Court" and later transformed into Dr. Amanda Riskin in the sitcom "Nurses." As a voice actress, Florence lent her voice to Grandma Ethyl Phillips in the animated series "Dinosaurs" and Thelma in the controversial "Family Guy," which was banned in several countries. In Disney's animated film "Atlantis: The Lost Empire," she voiced the character Wilhelmina Packard and shortly before her death, she reprised the role in its 2003 sequel, "Atlantis: Milo's Return."
On October 3, 2003, Florence Stanley passed away at the age of 79 due to complications from a stroke. She left behind her husband, Martin Newman, and their two children.
