Marcia Rodd has died at the age of 87.
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Television audiences will remember the actress for her role on the hit medical drama, Trapper John, M.D. She appeared as the wife of Dr. Stanley Riverside, portrayed by Charles Siebert.
Rodd was born in Lyons, Kansas, on July 8, 1938. She was then raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Wichita, Kansas. After watching a local production of the musical Carousel at age nine, she became "literally stagestruck." It set the stage for her lifelong love of acting.
Marcia Rodd Was First Known as a Stage Actress
Rodd studied under celebrated teacher Alvina Krause at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She then began performing with the Yale Repertory Theatre while supporting herself as a social worker.
Rodd later moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. She made her Broadway debut in the musical Oh, What a Lovely War, replacing actress Linda Loftis.
Her career gained momentum when she starred in the Neil Simon comedy The Last of the Red Hot Lovers from 1969 through 1971. Starring opposite Linda Lavin, Doris Roberts, and James Coco, The New York Times said Rodd brought "a naive, little-girl charm" to her role. She would receive a Tony nomination in 1973 for her performance in the musical Shelter.
Television and Film Roles Soon Followed
In 1971, Rodd appeared opposite Elliott Gould in the darkly comic film Little Murders, directed by actor Alan Arkin.
She also portrayed the daughter of Bea Arthur's Maude in the beloved sitcom All in the Family. When Maude became its own show, she didn't want to commit to the role. It was later played by Adrienne Barbeau during the series run.
Her television credits include appearances on M*A*S*H, Match Game, Murder, She Wrote, The Young and the Restless, Without A Trace, and Grey's Anatomy.
In addition to her screen work, the actress earned acclaim for her role as Portland Angel in the 1977 cult comedy classic Citizens Band. The film was directed by Jonathan Demme, who would cast her again in his follow-up, Last Embrace.
Rodd is survived by her partner, William Lewis, and her brother, Stephen.
