Ted Wass

Edward Wass (born October 27, 1952) is an American television director and former actor. He is best known for his roles as Danny Dallas on the series Soap (1977–1981) and as Nick Russo on the sitcom Blossom (1991–1995). After Blossom ended its run in 1995, Wass retired from acting and focused only on directing episodic television series, such as Spin City, The Big Bang Theory, Less than Perfect and 2 Broke Girls.[1] Wass returned to acting when he reunited with Mayim Bialik and played her father again on Bialik's Call Me Kat in 2022.[2]

For the English association football player, see Ted Wass (footballer).
Ted Wass
Born
Edward Wass

(1952-10-27) October 27, 1952
Lakewood, Ohio, U.S.
EducationArt Institute of Chicago (BFA)
Occupation(s)Actor, television director
Years active1977–present
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1979; died 1993)​
    Nina Wass
    ​
    (m. 1996)​
    Children3
    Cast of Soap (1977). Back row, L-R: Robert Urich, Ted Wass, Richard Mulligan, Robert Guillaume, Robert Mandan, Jimmy Baio, Diana Canova, Arthur Peterson Jr. Seated: Billy Crystal, Cathryn Damon, Katherine Helmond, Jennifer Salt.

    Early life and education

    Wass was born in Lakewood, Ohio.[1][3] He was raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and graduated from Glenbard West High School in 1970.[3][4] He attended Goodman School of Drama at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (now at DePaul University).[1]

    Wass trained as an opera singer and was also involved in rock and roll as a lead singer and guitarist.[3]

    Career

    Acting

    In 1976, Wass made his Broadway debut in the original Broadway production of Grease, playing Danny Zuko.[1]

    He made his television debut as Danny Dallas on Soap from 1977 to 1981, filming 101 episodes.[1] He appeared on Broadway with his Soap co-star Diana Canova in Neil Simon's They're Playing Our Song.[5]

    Wass starred in Curse of the Pink Panther (1983),[1] one of the post-Peter Sellers films in the franchise, as Detective Sergeant Clifton Sleigh, engaged by Police Chief Dreyfus to track down Inspector Clouseau.[6]

    He played struggling musician Bobby Shelton (who trades his soul — and his family — to become an ill-fated rock star "Billy Wayne") in the black comedy film Oh, God! You Devil (1984). He played a sports journalist caught in a murder in female-Tarzan film Sheena (1984).[7]

    In 1986, he starred in the TV movie Triplecross, directed by David Greene.[8] This was intended as a television pilot, but the series was never picked up.

    His last acting role was among his most prominent, playing the title character's father in Blossom (1991–1995), a sitcom about a teenage girl with two brothers being brought up by their single father.

    Directing

    Wass began directing while acting on the TV sitcom Blossom. He has directed episodes of over 40 TV series along with many TV movies.

    Personal life

    Wass' first wife was actress Janet Margolin, who died in December 1993 at age 50 from ovarian cancer.[3] Their two children are Julian (a composer) and Matilda. He has two grandchildren from Julian's marriage to director Jenee Lamarque.[3] His second wife is producer Nina Wass, whom he married in 1996. They have a daughter named Stella.[9]

    Actor filmography
    YearTitleRoleNotes
    1977FamilySam TraskEpisode: "A Safe House"
    1977Handle with CareCpl. TillinghamTelevision pilot
    1977–1981Soap (TV series)Danny DallasMain cast (77 episodes)
    1979The Triangle Factory Fire ScandalVinnieTelevision film
    1979The Thirteenth Day: The Story of EstherSimonTelevision special
    1982I Was a Mail Order BrideRobert FitzgeraldTelevision film
    1983Baby SisterDavid MitchellTelevision film
    1983Curse of the Pink PantherSgt. Clifton SleighFeature film
    1984SheenaVic CaseyFeature film
    1984Oh, God! You DevilBobby SheltonFeature film
    1985Sins of the FatherGregory Scott MurchisonTelevision film
    1986The LongshotStumpFeature film
    1986TriplecrossElliott TaffleTelevision film
    1986The Canterville GhostHarry CantervilleTelevision film
    1986Sunday DrivePaul SheridanTelevision film (The Disney Sunday Movie)
    1987CBS Summer PlayhouseMickeyEpisode: "Mickey and Nora"
    1988Shades of Love: Sunset CourtDr. Jimmy FieldingTelevision film
    1988Pancho BarnesFrank ClakeTelevision film
    1989Men (TV series)Dr. Steven RatajkowskiMain cast (6 episodes)
    1989Fine GoldAndreFeature film
    1990Sparks: The Price of PassionSteve WarnerTelevision film
    1991–1995Blossom (TV series)Nick RussoMain cast (113 episodes)
    1993Triumph Over Disaster: The Hurricane Andrew StoryBryan NorcrossTelevision film
    2022Call Me KatKat's fatherGuest (2 episodes)

    Director filmography
    YearTitleTypeNotes
    BlossomTV series18 episodes
    Local HeroesTV series
    CoachTV series1 episode
    Mr. RhodesTV series6 episodes
    The Jeff Foxworthy ShowTV series13 episodes
    JennyTV series1 episode
    Smart GuyTV series5 episodes
    Soul ManTV series
    The Secret Lives of MenTV series
    CostelloTV series1 episode
    1998–99Caroline in the CityTV series17 episodes
    1999Two of a KindTV series1 episode
    Oh, Grow UpTV series
    NormTV series1 episode
    Stark Raving MadTV series
    Then Came YouTV series
    Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza PlaceTV series
    My Wife and KidsTV series
    2000–2002Spin CityTV series45 episodes
    My Adventures in TelevisionTV series
    Regular JoeTV series
    Married to the KellysTV series
    I'm with HerTV series
    2002–2006Less than PerfectTV series
    2006CrumbsTV series10 episodes
    2006The GameTV series2 episodes
    2006'Til DeathTV series
    2007–2013Rules of EngagementTV series45 episodes
    2007The Big Bang TheoryTV series1 episode
    2007Two and a Half MenTV series7 episodes
    Gary UnmarriedTV series
    2007–2008Everybody Hates ChrisTV series
    2009ScrubsTV series1 episode
    2009Ruby & The RockitsTV series
    2009BrothersTV series
    2010Accidentally on PurposeTV series
    $#*! My Dad SaysTV series
    2010Melissa & JoeyTV series9 episodes
    2011State of GeorgiaTV series5 episodes
    2011–122 Broke GirlsTV series9 episodes
    2012Sullivan & SonTV series3 episodes
    2013DadsTV series2 episodes
    2014UndateableTV series2 episodes
    2013–14Last Man StandingTV series
    2014–2015MomTV series16 episodes
    2015CristelaTV series
    2015Truth Be ToldTV series
    2016The Odd CoupleTV series2 episodes

    References
    1. "Lights shine on The Theatre School gala honorees". newsline.depaul.edu. DePaul University. March 29, 2012. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
    2. "Mayim Bialik and 'Blossom' Dad Ted Wass to Reunite on 'Call Me Kat'". 8 April 2022.
    3. Cavazos, Norma (November 20, 1994). "TV Questions". The News-Press. Fort Myers, Florida. Knight-Ridder News Service. p. 168. Retrieved November 22, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
    4. "History". glenbard1958. Glenbard High School Class of 1958.
    5. "Ted Wass". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
    6. Brunsdale, Mitzi M. (2010). Icons of Mystery and Crime Detection: From Sleuths to Superheroes. ABC-CLIO. p. 184. ISBN 9780313345319.
    7. Wilson, Staci Layne (2007). Animal Movies Guide. p. 18. ISBN 9780967518534.
    8. Roberts, Jerry (2009). "David Greene". Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors. Scarecrow Press. p. 215. ISBN 9780810863781.
    9. "Ted Wass Biography (1952-)". FilmReference.com.
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