Anne Pitoniak

Anne Pitoniak (March 30, 1922 – April 22, 2007) was an American actress. She was nominated twice for Broadway's Tony Award as Best Actress (Play) in 1983 for 'night, Mother and as Best Actress (Featured Role – Play) in 1994 for a revival of William Inge's Picnic. She is best known for her roles in The Survivors (1983), Housekeeping (1987), Hiding Out (1987), and Where the Money Is (2000).

Anne Pitoniak
BornMarch 30, 1922
Westfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedApril 22, 2007 (aged 85)
New York City, New York, U.S.
EducationUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro
SpouseJerome Milord

Early life and education

Pitoniak was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, the daughter of Sophie (née Porubovic) and John Pitoniak.[1] She was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Career

Pitoniak spent two years as a civilian actress immediately after World War II, touring Japan, the Philippines and Korea for the Special Services.

In 'night, Mother she played a mother who tries to talk her grown daughter out of suicide.[2] The play premiered at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before moving to Broadway. Pitoniak and co-star Kathy Bates received Best Actress Tony Award nominations for their work.[2] In 1994, Pitoniak received a second Tony nomination for her performance as Helen Potts in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Picnic.[3] She also appeared on Broadway in Agnes of God, The Octette Bridge Club, Amy's View, Uncle Vanya, Dance of Death, and Imaginary Friends.[3]

Pitoniak performed regularly at the Actors Theatre of Louisville for five years,[4] appearing in plays such as Norman's Getting Out, D.L. Coburn's The Gin Game, and Jane Martin's Middle Aged White Guys. She also worked steadily in film and television, including the 1983 comedy film The Survivors, the 1987 comedic drama films Housekeeping and Hiding Out and the 2000 comedy-drama crime film Where the Money Is. Pitoniak also had a supporting role in the 1985 film version of Agnes of God, where she played the mother of Jane Fonda's character after previously playing Mother Miriam Ruth in the Broadway version.

In 1987, Pitoniak played the role of Mary in the 1987 Cheers episode "Pudd'n Head Boyd". In 1988, she played Cornelia in The Wizard of Loneliness. In 2001, she played the role of Mrs. Berry in the Law and Order: SVU episode "Redemption".[5]

Personal life

Pitoniak met her future husband, Jerome Milord, then a soldier, when they were both in a United Service Organizations show in Japan.[6] She died from cancer at her home in Manhattan at age 85.[7]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1983 The Survivors Betty
1984 Old Enough Katherine
1985 Agnes of God Dr. Livingston's Mother
1987 Sister, Sister Mrs. Bettlehelm
1987 Best Seller Mrs. Foster
1987 Housekeeping Aunt Lily
1987 Hiding Out Grandma Jennie
1988 The Wizard of Loneliness Cornelia
1989 Old Gringo Mrs. Winslow
1991 The Ballad of the Sad Café Mrs. McPhail
1991 V.I. Warshawski Lotty
1993 House of Cards Judge
1996 Bed of Roses Grandma Jean
1997 Julian Po Mrs. Danforth
1997 A Thousand Acres Mary Livingstone
1999 The Opportunists Aunt Dee
2000 Where the Money Is Mrs. Tetlow
2002 Unfaithful Grandma

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1960 The Robert Herridge Theater Mother's Voice Episode: "All the Petals of All the Roses in the World"
1984 A Doctor's Story Gray Lady Television film
1984–1985 AfterMASH Mildred Potter 9 episodes
1984–1989 American Playhouse Various roles 3 episodes
1985 Hill Street Blues Mrs. Louise Tripp Episode: "Intestinal Fortitude"
1985 The Equalizer Maggie Episode: "Back Home"
1986 Miracle of the Heart: A Boys Town Story Maggie Scott Television film
1987 Cheers Mary Episode: "Pudd'n Head Boyd"
1988 CBS Summer Playhouse Mom Episode: "Whattley by the Bay"
1989 No Place Like Home Opal Television film
1990 H.E.L.P. Mrs. McKee Episode: "Are You There, Alpha Centauri?"
1990 Working Girl Mrs. Levitsky Episode: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"
1992 Down the Shore Mrs. Krell Episode: "Hitting Mrs. Krell"
1994 In the Best of Families Nanna Newsom Miniseries
1996 New York Undercover Mrs. Haggard Episode: "Tough Love"
1996 The Christmas Tree Mother Superior Frances Television film
1998 ER Ruth Johnson Episode: "Good Luck, Ruth Johnson"
1998 Grace and Glorie Bernice Wallace Television film
1998 Trinity Mrs. Burris Episode: "...To Forgive, Divine"
1999 Becker Tillie Episode: "Love! Lies! Bleeding!"
2001, 2005 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Mrs. Larson / Mrs. Berry 2 episodes
2000–2002 Third Watch Mrs. Irene Sullivan 4 episodes

References
  1. Anne Pitoniak Biography (1922-) Film Reference.
  2. Simonson, Robert (April 26, 2007). "Anne Pitoniak, Original Star of 'night, Mother, Is Dead at 85". Playbill.com.
  3. "Anne Pitoniak, 85; TV and stage actress known for ' 'night, Mother'". Los Angeles Times.
  4. "Anne Pitoniak, 85, actress". Variety.com. May 11, 2007.
  5. "Places to Watch Anne Pitoniak Online". LocateTV.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-07-02.
  6. "Veteran Character Actress Anne Pitoniak Dies at 85". Broadway.com. April 26, 2007.
  7. Robertson, Campbell (April 26, 2007). "Anne Pitoniak, 85, Actress Who Played Strong Older Women, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
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