Maureen Stapleton, RIP

The great stage and screen actress Maureen Stapleton has died at the age of 80. Here is a partial list of her theatre credits, which included originating the lead roles in The Rose Tattoo, Toys in the Attic and two Neil Simon dramedies.

My favourite Maureen Stapleton story is from the filming of Bye Bye Birdie, during which the director of the film, George Sidney, had focused more and more attention and screen time on the young and hot (career-wise and sex-appeal-wise) Ann-Margret. At the wrap party, Maureen Stapleton got up and said: "I guess I'm the only person in this room who doesn't want to fuck Ann-Margret."

Whether Paul Lynde was in the room at the time is a question that remains unanswered.