Marietta Marich

Marietta Marich (/ˈmærɪk/;[1] née Cox; April 5, 1930 – September 28, 2017) was an American actress, singer, writer, stage director, and television host. Born in Dallas, Texas, Marich became a prominent stage actress in Houston beginning in the 1950s. She later began appearing in films in the 1980s, making her screen debut in Courtship (1987). She subsequently appeared in a number of films in supporting roles, including Simple Men (1992), Leap of Faith (1993), and Wes Anderson's Rushmore (1998).

Marietta Marich
Marich in 1963
Born
Marietta Cox

(1930-04-05)April 5, 1930
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
DiedSeptember 28, 2017(2017-09-28) (aged 87)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
OccupationActress
Spouse
Robert Marich
​
​
(m. 1952; died 2012)​
Children2

Marich garnered renewed attention for her portrayal of Luda Mae Hewitt, mother of Leatherface, in the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, as well as its prequel, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006). Her final film appearance was in House of Good and Evil (2013), before her death in 2017 of aortic dissection, aged 87.

Biography

Marich was born Marietta Cox in Dallas, Texas on April 5, 1930.[2] Both her parents were performers, and she began appearing in theatrical productions with them at USO events in her childhood.[2] She also sang in the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.[3]

In the 1950s, Marich became a well-known figure in Houston, where she hosted her own local television show, called Midnight With Marietta,[3] and operated several live theaters in Houston of which she was principal director. She originated the role of Miss Mona in the first Houston version of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in 1979, but was subsequently fired from the production due to professional clashes with the theater company.[4] Marich responded that she had been fired "because I am a perfectionist, and I made demands for perfection."[4]

Marich made her feature film debut in the 1987 film Courtship.[2] She went on to appear in supporting roles in a number of films throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, including Simple Men (1992), Leap of Faith (1993), Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering (1996), Two Mothers for Zachary (1998), and Wes Anderson's cult film Rushmore (also 1998).[2]

In her later years, she became known for her roles in horror films, including the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, starring Jessica Biel. Marich reprised her role as Luda Mae Hewitt in the 2006 prequel, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning.[5] In 2013, she replaced fellow veteran actress Tippi Hedren in House of Good and Evil.[6]

Personal life

Marich was married to former radio host Bob Marich who predeceased her in 2012. They had a son, actor Michael Marich, and a daughter, Allison,[7] who portrayed a younger version of Marietta's character in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning.

Death

Marich died on September 28, 2017, in Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, following complications from an aortic dissection.[3] Her memorial service took place at the Grace Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas, where she was a member.[3]

Filmography
Year Title Role Director(s) Notes Ref.
1987 Courtship Aunt Sarah Howard Cummings [2]
1988 Full Moon in Blue Water Lois Peter Masterson [2]
1989 The Fulfillment of Mary Gray Aunt Mabel Piers Haggard Television film [2]
1992 Simple Men Mom Hal Hartley [2]
1992 Leap of Faith Mrs. Hawkins Richard Pearce [2]
1993 A Perfect World Farmer's Wife Clint Eastwood [2]
1995 A Woman of Independent Means Mama Robert Greenwald Miniseries [2]
1995 The Stars Fell on Henrietta Adult Pauline James Keach Voice narration [2]
1995 In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy Mrs. Jennings Bill D'Elia Television film [2]
1995 She Fought Alone Mrs. Johnson Christopher Leitch Television film [2]
1995 Two Mothers for Zachary Melba Peter Werner Television film [2]
1996 Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering Rosa Nock Greg Spence [2]
1998 Rushmore Mrs. Guggenheim Wes Anderson [2]
2000 Clean and Narrow Arlene Riley William Katt [2]
2000 Picnic Mrs. Potts Ivan Passer Television film [2]
2000 Lone Star Struck Ellie Thelma Betty Lou Rod Davis [2]
2003 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Luda Mae Hewitt Marcus Nispel [2]
2006 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning Luda Mae Hewitt Jonathan Liebesman [2]
2013 House of Good and Evil Mrs. Anderson David Mun [2]

Select stage credits
Year Title Role Location Notes Ref.
1953 Miranda Miranda Lee College Auditorium [8]
1955 Oklahoma! Laurey Houston Theatre, Inc. [9]
1963 Champagne Revue — USS Bushnell, Galveston, Texas Director [10]
1966 The Sound of Music Maria von Trapp Houston Theater, Inc. [11]
1969 Mary, Mary — Holiday Dinner Theatre, Houston Director [12]
1969 Don't Drink the Water — Holiday Dinner Theatre, Houston Director [13]
1970 Three Bags Full — Holiday Dinner Theatre, Houston Director [14]
1970 The Festival — Holiday Dinner Theatre, Houston Director [15]
1975 The King and I Anna Theatre Under the Stars [16]
1975 Kiss or Make Up — Dean Goss Dinner Theatre, Houston Director [17]
1979 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Miss Mona Tower Theater, Houston [4]
1981 Mame Mame College of the Mainland Theatre [18]

References
  1. "Marietta and Allison Marich discuss Outside Mullingar". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-14. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  2. Lentz, Harris M. (2018). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2017. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 259. ISBN 978-1-476-63318-3.
  3. "Marietta Marich : Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  4. "'Whorehouse' play a big Houston hit, to run indefinitely". The Marshall News Messenger. Marshall, Texas. August 26, 1979. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Westbrook, Bruce (January 20, 2007). "Houston's Marietta Marich a horror star, but won't watch it". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  6. "Exclusive Interview: Bo Keister Talks The House of Good and Evil". Shockya.com. March 31, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  7. Rosenberg, Howard (November 30, 1998). "Pleas for Privacy, Left Unheeded". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  8. "For 'Miranda' Monday Night". The Baytown Sun. Baytown, Texas. October 26, 1953. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ""Oklahoma" Opens at Theatre, Inc". The Brookshire Times. Brookshire, Texas. March 24, 1955. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "USS Bushnell Due Monday for Visit". The Galveston Daily News. Galveston, Texas. October 26, 1963. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Baytonians Host Guests from Mexico in Houston". The Baytown Sun. Baytown, Texas. May 3, 1966. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Mary, Mary advertisement". The Baytown Sun. Baytown, Texas. July 11, 1969. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Comedy Set In Houston". The Baytown Sun. Baytown, Texas. August 22, 1969. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. Hemphill, Martha (January 9, 1970). "Lively Play Opens In Houston Theater". The Baytown Sun. Baytown, Texas. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Hemphill, Martha (October 9, 1970). "Comedy Opens In Houston". The Baytown Sun. Baytown, Texas. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "The King and I advertisement". The Baytown Sun. Baytown, Texas. March 2, 1975. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Diversions". The News. Friendswood, Texas. June 11, 1975. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. "Passing Parade". The Galveston Daily News. Galveston, Texas. August 6, 1981. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
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