- Helen Gallagher
Infobox actor
name = Helen Gallagher
imagesize = 180px
caption =
birthdate = Birth date and age|1926|7|19|mf=y
location =New York, New York , U.S.
occupation =Actress
homepage =
spouse = Frank Wise (div. 1958)
emmyawards = Lead Actress in a Drama Series
1976 "Ryan's Hope "
1977 "Ryan's Hope "
1988 "Ryan's Hope "
tonyawards = Best Leading Actress in a Musical
1971 "No, No Nanette "
Best Featured Actress in a Musical
1952 "Pal Joey "Helen Gallagher (born
July 19 1926 ) is an American actress,dancer ,singer andmakeup artist . She was born inNew York City of Irish, French, and English descent.Gallagher was known for decades as a Broadway performer. She appeared in "Make a Wish", "
Hazel Flagg ", "Portofino", "High Button Shoes ", "Sweet Charity ", and "Cry for Us All ". Multi-talented, but fiery, Gallagher once reportedly kicked an actor (who tried to upstage her) into the orchestra pit, according toMerv Griffin , who once appeared in "Finian's Rainbow " on Broadway with her. [ibdb title|13511|Finian's Rainbow]In 1952, she won a
Tony Award for her work in the musical "Pal Joey". In 1971, she won her secondTony Award for her role in the revival of the musical "No, No, Nanette ", which also starredRuby Keeler andPatsy Kelly . Helen appeared in the 1977 movie "Roseland" oppositeChristopher Walken . An aficionada ofRodgers and Hammerstein , she appeared on a special tribute episode of "The Bell Telephone Hour ".Despite her extensive work on Broadway, she is perhaps best known as the gentle
Irish American matriarch, Maeve Ryan, on thesoap opera "Ryan's Hope ", a role she played for the show's entire duration, from 1975 to 1989. Creator and head writerClaire Labine had much affection for the character of Maeve, and as such, focused much loving care and attention in crafting her development. As a result, Gallagher's motherly character quickly came to be portrayed as the heart and soul of the show. She was nominated for fiveDaytime Emmy Award s for her work on the serial, winning in 1976, 1977, and 1988.As the show progressed further into the 1980s, the ratings took a steep slide. When ABC executives decided to cancel "
Ryan's Hope ",Claire Labine decided to end the final episode with Maeve at the family bar, Ryan's, singing her favorite tune, "Danny Boy ".Since the cancellation of "Ryan's Hope", Gallagher has appeared in "
All My Children " and "One Life to Live " and in variousOff-Broadway productions, although she considers herself in "semi-retirement".References
External links
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* [http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=people&first=Helen&last=Gallagher&middle= Helen Gallagher] at theInternet Off-Broadway Database Persondata
NAME= Gallagher, Helen
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Actress
DATE OF BIRTH=19 July ,1926
PLACE OF BIRTH=New York City ,New York
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=
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