Estelle Parsons

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Estelle Margaret Parsons (born November 20, 1927 in Marblehead, Massachusetts) is an Academy Award-winning American theater, film and television actress.

After graduating from Connecticut College in 1949, Parsons initially studied law and then worked as a singer with a band before settling on an acting career in the early 1950s. Moving to New York, she worked as a writer, producer and commentator for The Today Show.

She has received Tony Award nominations for her work in The Seven Descents of Myrtle (1968), And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little (1971), Miss Margarida's Way (1978) and Mornings at Seven (2002).

Her film career includes an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrail of Blanche Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde (1967), and a nomination for Rachel, Rachel (1968). She also received a BAFTA Award nomination for her role in Watermelon Man (1970), and appeared in I Never Sang for My Father (1971), For Pete's Sake (1975), Dick Tracy (1992) and Boys on the Side (1995). She was also the original choice to play the part of Pamela Voorhees in the 1980 film Friday the 13th (the part later went to Betsy Palmer).

She also played the part of Roseanne Barr and Laurie Metcalf's pretentious mother, Beverly, on the long-running sitcom, Roseanne. Her other television credits include appearances on The Patty Duke Show, Frasier, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Preceded by: Sandy Dennis for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?	Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress 1967 for Bonnie and Clyde	Succeeded by: Ruth Gordon for Rosemary's Baby