Lois de Banzie (4 May 1930 – 3 April 2021) was a Scottish-born American stage, film, and television actress.

Lois de Banzie
Born(1930-05-04)4 May 1930
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
Died3 April 2021(2021-04-03) (aged 90)
OccupationActress

Family and early life

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Her paternal grandfather was Edward de Banzie, a conductor and musical director. He was the father of actress Brenda de Banzie.[1]

Lois grew up in Glasgow, and in 1952 moved to New York, aged 21. She worked as a copywriter at Vogue and Time magazines, then as an editorial assistant at Henry Holt and Company.[1]

In 1956 she married artist Lamartine Le Goullon, divorcing within a year.[1]

Career

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Theatre

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De Banzie may be best known for her Drama Desk Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated performance in Paul Osborn's play Morning's at Seven, which ran for 564 performances.[1]

Her other Broadway credits include The Octette Bridge Club, Da, and The Last of Mrs. Lincoln.[2]

Television

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De Banzie also had a prolific career in television and movies, mostly appearing in small-to-mid-sized parts, but with numerous guest roles in various television programs. Her television credits include Baby Talk, Bodies of Evidence, Cheers, Diagnosis: Murder, Family Ties, Home Improvement, Major Dad, Mama's Family, Matlock, Murder, She Wrote, Sisters, Taxi, Hill Street Blues and Who's the Boss? among others.[3]

Film

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Her film credits include Addams Family Values, Annie, Arachnophobia, Big Business, Mass Appeal, Sister Act, and Tootsie among others.[3] De Banzie also appeared in several episodes of CBS Radio Mystery Theatre.

Death

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De Banzie died in Greenbrae, California on April 3, 2021, at the age of 90.[4][5]

Partial filmography

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Year Title Role
1981 So Fine Waitress in House of Pancakes
1982 Annie Eleanor Roosevelt
Tootsie Autograph Hound #3
1983 Sudden Impact Judge Lundstrom
1984 Mass Appeal Mrs. Dolson
1988 Big Business Edwardian Room Hostess
1990 Arachnophobia Henrietta Manley
1992 Sister Act Immaculata
1993 Addams Family Values Delivery Nurse
1994 Naked Gun 33+13: The Final Insult Dr. Kohlzak
1996 Dunston Checks In Mrs. Winthrop

References

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  1. ^ a b c d https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/lois-de-banzie-obituary-mlcqhjpvm
  2. ^ Lois de Banzie at the Internet Broadway Database
  3. ^ a b Lois de Banzie at IMDb
  4. ^ "Lois De Banzie Dies: Tony-Nominated 'Morning's At Seven' Actress Was 90". Deadline Hollywood. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Lois de Banzie, Actress in 'Annie' and 'Morning's at Seven,' Dies at 90". The Hollywood Reporter. 25 May 2021.
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