Lois Maureen Stapleton (June 21 1925 - March 13 2006) was an Academy Award-winning American actress in film, theater and television. She also won an Emmy Award, two Tony Awards and was elected to the American Theatre Hall of Fame.

She did not travel by air or elevator. She traveled by rail across the country, and traveled by ship across the ocean, instead of by plane.

Received the Actors Studio Award in 1980 for her contributions to the theatre.

Inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame on April 5, 1981.

In 1981, Hudson Valley Community College in her hometown of Troy, New York, named their theatre after her.

Received a 1975 Grammy Award nomination in the Best Spoken Word category for her recording of "To Kill a Mockingbird".

Mother of two children by first husband, Max Allentuck: Daniel Allentuck and Katharine Bambery.

Took over the role of Rosa della Rosa because Anna Magnani (who was old enough to be her mother) didn't speak English well enough to essay the role on Broadway, so this young Irish Catholic from Troy played an Italian "Earth Mother" on Broadway to critical and popular acclaim!

In 1981, she became the tenth performer to win the Triple Crown of acting. Oscar: Best Supporting Actress, Reds (1981), Tony: Best Supporting Actress-Play, 'The Rose Tattoo' (1951), and Emmy: Best Actress-Drama, Among the Paths to Eden (1967) (TV).

She originated the role of Serafina in Tennessee Williams' "The Rose Tattoo" on Broadway in 1951 and Lady Torrance in Williams' "Orpheus Descending" in 1957. Both roles were played by Anna Magnani in the movie versions. Stapleton appeared in the film version of "Orpheus Descending", retitled Fugitive Kind, The (1959), but in a supporting role.

Has won two Tony Awards: in 1951, as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Dramatic) for "The Rose Tattoo," and in 1971, as Best Actress (Dramatic) for "The Gingerbread Lady." She has also been nominated four other times: as Best Actress (Dramatic), in 1959 for "The Cold Wind and the Warm," in 1960 for "Toys in the Attic," and in 1968 for "Plaza Suite;" and in 1981, as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) for "The Little Foxes."

Is the fourth of four consecutive winners of the Best Supporting Actress Oscar to have the initials "M.S.". The others are: Maggie Smith (I) (California Suite (1978)), Meryl Streep (Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)) and Mary Steenburgen (Melvin and Howard (1980)).

Had a self-admitted drinking problem (her Irish-born father was a heavy drinker) and confessed that she would head for the vodka right after the curtain went down. Liquor was a fixture in her dressing room but claims she never appeared on stage drunk.

Once joined the Actors Studio, whose members included Marlon Brando who sometimes crashed in her one-room NY apartment.

Following her second divorce, she had a long affair with legendary Broadway fixture George Abbott that began when she was 43 and he was 81. It ended 10 years later when the director cheated on her with a younger woman.

Contrary to popular belief, she was not related to "All in the Family" star Jean Stapleton.

Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Actors Branch)

Received a special tribute as part of the Annual Memorial tribute at 79th Annual Academy Awards, The (2007) (TV).

In 1959, she became the first actor to receive an Oscar, Emmy and Tony nomination in the same year (for Lonelyhearts, All the King's Men, and The Cold Wind and the Warm, respectively).