Doro Merande, a multifaceted and captivating character actress, left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With her remarkable ability to bring to life a wide range of characters, she effortlessly commanded attention, regardless of the size of her role.
Throughout her illustrious career, Merande excelled at portraying older characters, often taking on the roles of doting aunts, gossipy neighbors, curt secretaries, and small-minded townspeople. Her performances were always distinguished by her unique, warbling voice and eccentric edge.
Despite her impressive talent, Merande's film career was somewhat limited, as she preferred the live theater and was based primarily on the East Coast. Born Dora Matthews in Kansas in 1892, she was orphaned at a young age and spent her childhood in boarding schools.
After completing her education, Merande headed to New York and pursued an acting career. She initially worked on the stock stage before making her Broadway debut at the age of 43. Over the course of her lifetime, she appeared in over 25 Broadway plays, including a memorable turn in the classic Thornton Wilder play "Our Town."
Her performance in "Our Town" caught the attention of Hollywood, and she was invited to reprise her role on film. Merande went on to appear in a variety of films and television shows, including "The Gazebo" (1959),"The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming" (1966),and "The Front Page" (1974).
In addition to her film work, Merande also appeared in the sitcom "Bringing Up Buddy" (1960),alongside Enid Markey. Although the show had promising ratings, the two actresses did not get along, and the series was cancelled after one season.
Merande was also a frequent guest on Jackie Gleason's variety show. Tragically, she passed away on November 1, 1975, at the age of 83, due to a stroke while filming an episode in Miami.
Biography:
* Date of Birth: March 31, 1892, Columbia, Kansas
* Date of Death: November 1, 1975, New York City, New York (stroke)
