Carlin Elizabeth Glynn (February 19, 1940 – July 13, 2023) was an American singer and actress. Most notable for her work as a theater performer, she is best known for her Tony Award-winning performance, as Mona Stangley, in the original 1978 production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She is also known for her roles in John Hughes' Sixteen Candles (1984) and Peter Masterson's The Trip to Bountiful (1985), which is based on the play of the same name, by Horton Foote. Glynn was the mother of actress Mary Stuart Masterson.

Carlin Glynn
Born
Carlin Elizabeth Glynn

(1940-02-19)February 19, 1940
DiedJuly 13, 2023(2023-07-13) (aged 83)
New York, U.S.
Alma materNewcomb College
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active1975–2006
Spouse
(m. 1960; died 2018)
Children3, including Mary Stuart Masterson

Early life

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Glynn was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Mirabeau B. Lamar High School in Houston, Texas.[1][2]

Career

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A life member of The Actors Studio,[3] Glynn made her belated but Tony-winning Broadway debut - as 1979's Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical - portraying "Mona Stangley" in the original production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,[1] a musical comedy adapted by Glynn's husband and fellow Studio member, Peter Masterson, from a non-fiction article published in Playboy, in collaboration with the article's author, Larry L. King, and songwriter Carol Hall, and developed at length in workshop performances at the Studio.[4] Glynn's award-winning performance would be reprised in the 1982 revival.[5]

Glynn's first movie appearance was as Mae Barber in Three Days of the Condor (1975). She is also known for her role as mother to Molly Ringwald's character in Sixteen Candles (1984), and as daughter-in-law to Geraldine Page's character in The Trip to Bountiful (1985), directed by her husband.

Other film credits include roles in Resurrection (1980), Continental Divide (1981), The Escape Artist (1982), Gardens of Stone (1987; in which her husband and daughter also had roles), Blood Red (1989), Night Game (1989), Convicts (1991), Judy Berlin (1999) and Whiskey School (2005).

Death

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Carlin Glynn Masterson died at her home in upstate New York on July 13, 2023, aged 83. She had lung cancer and dementia.[6][7][8]

Mary Stuart Masterson announced her mother's death on Instagram:[9]

On Thursday, July 13th, my mother, Carlin Glynn Masterson, passed away. I was with her. I will always be grateful for those last moments, no matter how hard.

Death is like birth in the oddest way. From my first breath to her last. This thread is as fragile as it is strong.

She was the most graceful clumsy person you would ever meet. Strong, smart, silly, intuitive, kind, generous, passionate and a deep listener. She was devoted to my father and to the enormous circle of students and collaborators who were considered her chosen family.

The stanza is from Seamus Heaney's poem, Clearances.

The last photo is from her 80th birthday party, before the worst of dementia and cancer took their toll. She never lost her sense of joy or wonder. The silly guy pictured with her is my dear brother @seppisigh

Rest in peace, mommy.

Filmography

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
1975 Three Days of the Condor Mae Barber
1980 Resurrection Suzy Kroll
1981 Continental Divide Sylvia McDermott
1982 The Escape Artist Treasurer's Secretary
1984 Sixteen Candles Brenda Baker
1985 The Trip to Bountiful Jessie Mae
1987 Gardens of Stone Mrs. Feld
1989 Coyote Mountain Mother Short
1989 Blood Red Miss Jeffreys
1989 Night Game Alma
1991 Convicts Asa
1994 Blessing Arlene
1996 Red Sky at Night Consulting editor
1999 Judy Berlin Maddie
2002 West of Here Sally Blackwell Also co-producer
2003 Lost Junction Waitress
2005 Whiskey School Pamela Evans
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1983 Johnny Garage Harriet TV movie
1987 Mr. President Meg Tresch Season 1 (main role, 10 episodes)
1991 A Woman Named Jackie Lady Bird Johnson Miniseries (2 episodes)
1992 Day-O Margaret DeGeorgio TV movie
1996 Strange Luck Marilyn Harper Season 1 (guest role, 1 episode)
2005 The Exonerated Judge TV movie
2006 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Ella Quinn Season 5 (guest role, 1 episode)

References

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  1. ^ a b William A. Raidy (1979-09-26). "Carlin Glynn Turned a Favor Into a Tony". The Spokane Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  2. ^ Mesinger, Maxine. "Lamar High marks 50th anniversary." Houston Chronicle. August 7, 1987. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  3. ^ Garfield, David (1980). "Appendix: Life Members of The Actors Studio as of January 1980". A Player's Place: The Story of The Actors Studio. New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc. p. 278. ISBN 978-0-02-542650-4.
  4. ^ King, Larry L.; Holland, Richard A. (1999). "The Missing Years". Larry L. King: A Writer's Life in Letters, Or, Reflections in a Bloodshot Eye. Washington, DC: Texhouse Corporation. p. 249. ISBN 978-0-87565-203-0.
  5. ^ McKinnon, George (1982-04-18). "Marquee: Best Little Whorehouse Plans All-Texas Gala". The Boston Globe. p. 1. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  6. ^ Genzlinger, Neil (July 21, 2023). "Carlin Glynn, 83, Actress Whose Comeback Brought Her a Tony, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  7. ^ Obituary, variety.com. Accessed July 20, 2023.
  8. ^ Obituary, nypost.com. Accessed July 21, 2023.
  9. ^ Instagram obituary
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Preceded by
Estelle Parsons
Vacant (2003-2004)
Artistic Director of the Actors Studio
2004-2007
With: Lee Grant
Stephen Lang (2004-2006)
Succeeded by