Marj Dusay

**Marj Dusay** is an American film and television actress, possibly best known for her role as Alexandra Spaulding on "Guiding Light," a role she played on and off through the show's history, as well as appearances on such shows as "Hogan's Heroes" and "The Facts Of Life."

Dusay was born Marjorie Ellen Pivonka Mahoney on February 20, 1936 in Russell, Kansas and attended Kansas University. She began a modeling career in New York when she and her husband, John Dusay, moved there for his medical internship, but they divorced in 1962. They had a son and a daughter, Debra, who is an actress. In 1967, she married Thomas Perine, who died in 1988.

Dusay eventually became a member of The Session, an improvisational comedy group in Los Angeles in 1967 with actor Rob Reiner of "All in the Family" fame. Her dramatic debut occurred December 21, 1967, in an episode of television's "Cimarron Strip." This role was followed by appearances on "The Wild Wild West," "Hawaii Five-O," "Bonanza," "Family Affair," "The Odd Couple" and multiple appearances on "Hogan's Heroes." She also starred in the iconic "Star Trek episode, "Spock's Brain."

Dusay started her film career with a small role as a waitress alongside Elvis Presley in the film "Clambake" in 1967 which was followed by her role in the 1968 film, "Sweet November." From 1968 to 1969, she played Gloria in the CBS comedy, "Blondie." She starred as Jean MacArthur in the 1977 film, "MacArthur," and had a recurring role as Blair Warner's mother, Monica Warner, on "The Facts of Life." She also starred in several episodes of "Bret Maverick" from 1982 to 1983 and portrayed Beverly Tupperman in "Square Pegs." She began her long career on daytime TV when she made her soap debut in April 1983, replacing Carolyn Jones as the powerful Washington, DC matriarch Myrna Clegg on "Capitol," which she played through the final episode in March 1987. She eventually took over for Shirley Ann Field as the troubled Pamela Pepperidge Capwell Conrad on "Santa Barbara" from 1987 to 1988. In 1993, she filled in for Louise Sorel as Vivian Alamain on "Days of Our Lives" while Sorel was on medical leave. After a nationwide search for an actress to take over for the enormously popular Beverlee McKinsey, Marj began as Alexandra Spaulding on "Guiding Light" in August 1993, remaining on the show until March 1997, afterward returning for a brief stint from November 1998 to February 1999, but could not resist the chance to create her own part.

Marj finally originated a soap role as the evil Vanessa Bennett on "All My Children" from 1999-2002, but in late May 2005, Dusay was one of several cast members taken off contract due to budget cuts. The show later asked her to remain with the show on recurring status. Because of her popularity in the role, Marj was given a front-burner story line in 2006, staying with the series until it was canceled in 2009.
Beginning in 1984, Dusay sponsored the Marj Dusay Celebrity Golf Tournament in Russell, Kansas. The event was designated as a fundraiser for the Kansas Child Abuse Prevention Centers and for establishing a statewide hotline.

Sadly, Dusay died at the age of 83 in Los Angles, California on January 2020. She is survived by her two children.