Joanna Roos

Joanna Roos (born Dorothy Roos,[1][2] January 11, 1901 – May 13, 1989) was an American Broadway, radio, and television actress and a playwright. She was born in Brooklyn in 1901 and attended Syracuse University[3] as well as Yvette Guilbert's School in New York and Paris.[4]

Joanna Roos
Roos c. 1922
BornDorothy Roos
(1901-01-11)January 11, 1901
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedMay 13, 1989(1989-05-13) (aged 88)
Medical Center at Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.
OccupationActress, Playwright
NationalityAmerican
Alma materSyracuse University
Years active1932–1972
SpouseEdmund Rickett
Signature

Early years

Roos was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Roos of Upper Montclair, New Jersey. She was born in Brooklyn, and her family moved to Syracuse when she was 10 years old. She completed high school in Syracuse and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Syracuse University.[5] She earned money for her college expenses by working as a stenographer at The Post-Standard, a Syracuse newspaper and by giving readings with touring Lyceum companies.[1]

After Roos graduated from college, she studied at Yvette Guilbert's School of the Theatre.[1]

Career

Roos's professional theatrical debut occurred in May 1921 in a performance of The Harlequinade at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City.[6]

In 1930, Roos performed the role of Sofya Alexandrovna in a classic performance of the Anton Chekhov play Uncle Vanya at the Cort Theatre in New York City, a production that one critic called "unforgettable".[3][7] The show ran for 71 performances.[8] Her other Broadway credits included Peer Gynt (1960), Orpheus Descending (1957), Joan of Lorraine (1946), War President (1944), The Trojan Women (1941), Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1938), Daughters of Atreus (1936), Black Widow (1936), Panic (1935), Tight Britches (1934), Life Begins (1932), Little Women (1931), Schoolgirl (1930), Veneer (1929), Grand Street Follies [1928], Lovers and Enemies (1927), Makropoulos Secret (1926), Loggerheads (1925),Grand Street Follies [1924], This Fine-Pretty World (1923), The Player Queen (1923), The Green Ring (1922), and The Idle Inn (1921).[9]

She starred as Elizabeth Stallworth in "The House," written by Art Wallace, a 30-minute episode of the mystery anthology series The Web, broadcast on live television airing on August 29, 1954.[10] In 1958, Roos was a member of the cast of Today Is Ours, a drama on NBC Television.[11]

On radio, Roos was heard on Joyce Jordan, M.D. and other soap operas.[2]

She retired in 1978 from her role as Sarah Dale Caldwell McCauley on the soap opera Love of Life. She had played the role from 1968 to 1978, which marked her second role on the series, which became her best known role. In 1955–1957, she had originally played the role of compassionate Althea Raven, the first mother in-law of heroine Vanessa Dale.[12]

She was a founding member of the New Dramatists Committee. Several of the plays she wrote for the group won awards.[3]

Personal life

Roos was married to musician Edmund Rickett.[13]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1956PatternsMiss Lanier
1961Splendor in the GrassMrs. Stamper
1962Two Weeks in Another TownJanet Bark

References
  1. "Neighborhood Playhouse Has Rising Star in College Girl". New York Herald. May 23, 1921. p. 37. Retrieved July 26, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Simpson, Peg (August 18, 1954). "Syracuse Native Seen Frequently As Actress on TV". The Post-Standard. New York, Syracuse. p. 24. Retrieved July 26, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Joanna Roos, 88, Dies; Actress and Playwright", The New York Times, May 25, 1989, retrieved August 20, 2010
  4. "Ezra Stone, Joanna Roos, Highlight Eight-week Summer Theatre Session", The Cavalier Daily, May 22, 1948, retrieved August 20, 2010
  5. "New York showman signs local girl". The Montclair Times. New Jersey, Montclair. March 8, 1930. p. 1. Retrieved July 26, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "'The Harlequinade' Enchanting Play in Neighborhood". New York Herald. May 11, 1921. p. 11. Retrieved July 26, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Houston, Levin (December 16, 1978), "Durable 'Uncle Vanya' has problems at Kennedy Center", The Free Lance-Star, p. 22, retrieved August 20, 2010
  8. Mantle, Burns, ed. (1946), The best Plays of 1945 - 46 and the year book of the drama in America, New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, p. 443, OCLC 255390252
  9. "Joanna Roos". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  10. Wallace, Art (August 29, 1954), "The House," THE WEB, p. 5D, retrieved July 5, 2017
  11. Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 1090. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  12. Scheuer, Stephen H. (January 12, 1979), "From Soaps to Stardom", Sarasota Herald-Tribune, p. 5D, retrieved August 20, 2010
  13. Corby, Jane (December 6, 1939). "Don't Be an Actress". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 17. Retrieved July 26, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.

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