Tammy Grimes (born January 30, 1934) is an award-winning actress and singer.
Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, she attended high school at the then-all girls school, Beaver Country Day School, in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and then studied acting at New York City's prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse. Grimes made her debut on the New York stage in May 1955 in Jonah and the Whale. In 1956, she appeared in the off-Broadway production, The Littlest Revue , and had the lead role in the 1959 Noel Coward play Look After Lulu.
She starred in the 1960 musical comedy The Unsinkable Molly Brown for which she won a Tony Award portraying the title character, a Western mining millionairess who survived the sinking of the Titanic.
In 1966, Grimes starred in her own NBC television series, The Tammy Grimes Show, in which she played a modern-day heiress who loved to spend money, but it ran for only a month, although an additional six episodes had already been made; earlier, she had turned down the role of Samantha Stevens on Bewitched for which she had had right of first refusal.
During her career, she spent several seasons at the Stratford Festival of Canada in Stratford, Ontario and has appeared in a number of television series and motion pictures. Grimes has also entertained at various New York city night clubs and recorded several albums of songs. Her voice can be heard in romantic duets on some of Ben Bagley's anthology albums of Broadway songs under his Painted Smiles record label. In 1982, she hosted the final season of CBS Radio Mystery Theater.
In 2003, Tammy Grimes was inducted into the (American) Theater Hall of Fame.
Short lived (four episodes) show is a rich heiress who wanted nothing more to do than spend money. But her Uncle Simon is keeping a tight hand on the wallet. Her twin brother Terrence and her housekeeper Mrs. Ratchett are also an irritation to Tammy. Written by J.E. McKillop
Mother, with Christopher Plummer (I), of Amanda Plummer.
Originated the title role in the Broadway production of "The Unsinkable Molly Brown".
Studied acting at New York City's prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse under the guidance of legendary acting coach, Sanford Meisner.
Was originally offered the role of Samantha Stephens on "Bewitched" (1964); she turned the part down in order to concentrate on her stage career. Elizabeth Montgomery (I) was cast instead. She did work with Dick Sargeant (the second Darrin on Bewitched (1964)) on the Tammy Grimes Show.
Tried out for the 1952 free-style Olympic swimming team, but just missed out.
She named her daughter Amanda Michael Plummer (born in 1957) after her character in Noel Coward's Private Lives.
Replaced E.G. Marshall as the host for the "CBS Radio Mystery Theater" in 1982 (the final season of the program).
Also won a Tony (In the correct category of Best Actress this time) when she played Amanda in "Private Lives" on Broadway in 1970. Other Broadway appearences include Neil Simon's play "California Suite" (1976), the musicals "High Spirits" (1964) and "42nd Street" (1980), and revivals of Moliere's "Tartuffe" (1977) and Tennessee Williams' "Orpheus Descending" (1989).
Has won two Tony Awards on only two nominations: in 1961 as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) for playing the title character, Molly Brown, in "The Unsinkable Molly Brown;" and in 1970 as Best Actress (Dramatic), for a revival of Noel Coward's "Private Lives."
Won the Best Supporting Actress Tony Award for playing the lead role in "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" because her name was not 'big' enough to appear on top of the title. According to Tony rules at the time, performers whose names appeared before the title were judged in the lead acting categories.
