HarryCarter Posted September 23, 2013 Report Share Posted September 23, 2013 Jane Connell, Mame's Gooch, died today at the age of 87. BroadwayWorld has confirmed the sad news that Tony-nominated stage and screen star Jane Connell has passed away. Best known for her portrayal of 'Agnes Gooch' in Broadway's 1966 production of Mame -- a role she reprised for the 1974 film adaptation alongside Lucille Ball -- Connell spent a lifetime in the spotlight. She was nominated for the 1986 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Me and My Girl. Connell made her off-Broadway debut in the 1955 revival of Threepenny Opera and went on to star in the West End production of Once Upon a Mattress in 1960. Among Connell's many roles on the Great White Way were New Faces of 1956, Drat! The Cat!, Dear World with Angela Lansbury, Lysistrata, the 1983 revival of Mame -- also with Lansbury -- Lend Me a Tenor, Crazy for You, Moon Over Buffalo with Carol Burnett, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Royal Flush and finally The Full Monty, for which she stepped in following original star Kathleen Freeman's death during the run and continued for the 2002 national tour. She also starred in Encores! production of Call Me Madam in 1995, as well as off-Broadway's 70, Girls, 70, Sail Away, Oh, Boy!, The Golden Apple and Fortuna. Connell crossed the U.S. as 'Miss Hannigan' in the 1st and 2nd National Tours of Annie in 1978. Connell starred on film in Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde, and as mentioned above, in the 1974 adaptation of Mame, as well as Kotch and House Calls. She appeared on the small screen in Bewitched, Green Acres, Mary Tyler Moore, All in the Family, The Dumplings, Love, M*A*S*H*, American Style, Maude, Good Times and Law & Order. Connell married actor and musician Gordon Connell, with whom she launched her career working in San Francisco night clubs before moving to New York City. The couple have two daughters, Melissa and Margaret. http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Tony-Nominee-Jane-Connell-Broadway-Great-Known-for-MAME-and-More-Passes-Away-20130923 I saw a screening of Mame last year and "Gooch's Song" got the biggest audience response! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvsbway Posted September 23, 2013 Report Share Posted September 23, 2013 Oh no. I got to see her in The Full Monty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mot Morenzi Posted September 23, 2013 Report Share Posted September 23, 2013 At least she lived. She lived. She LIIIIVED! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted September 23, 2013 Report Share Posted September 23, 2013 Awwwwwwwwwwwww, sad, she was terrific in Mame! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted September 23, 2013 Report Share Posted September 23, 2013 Yeah, at least she did open that new window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mot Morenzi Posted September 23, 2013 Report Share Posted September 23, 2013 Awwwwwwwwwwwww, sad, she was terrific in Mame! And she had two albums to her name. The original cast and the movie soundtrack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted September 23, 2013 Report Share Posted September 23, 2013 And she had two albums to her name. The original cast and the movie soundtrack. I saw a whole slew of TV shows listed so maybe I've seen her in some of those too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryCarter Posted September 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 At least she lived. She lived. She LIIIIVED! And she was loved. By God, had she been loved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 R.I.P. Jane Connell. You were peculiar, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 Gooch?! Noooo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 "Agnes, you're coming out!" "WHERE?!!!! !!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 "Agnes, you're coming out!" "WHERE?!!!! !!!" Nice tribute to her by the way. She looks so lovely looking out of the car window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annaleigh Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 Nice tribute to her by the way. She looks so lovely looking out of the car window.Once they dressed her up and discovered she had a bust, she looked gorgeous! I loved her has Gooch, I can't see anyone else playing this character. Rest in peace Jane Connell! I'll drink a Dr Pepper for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 Rest in peace Jane Connell! I'll drink a Dr Pepper for you! He'll love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 I also loved her many appearances on Bewitched, as the Better Luck Next Time club secretary on The MTM Show, and (a personal favourite) as Edith Bunker's long-suffering friend Sybil Gooley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annaleigh Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 He'll love it. These Mame references are making my day, so what do I do now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 so what do I do now? Send us a post card from the Shangri-La Motel in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 Once they dressed her up and discovered she had a bust, she looked gorgeous! I loved her has Gooch, I can't see anyone else playing this character. NOT EVEN MADELINE KAHN??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucyilove Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 Jane Connell, Mame's Gooch, died today at the age of 87. http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Tony-Nominee-Jane-Connell-Broadway-Great-Known-for-MAME-and-More-Passes-Away-20130923 I saw a screening of Mame last year and "Gooch's Song" got the biggest audience response! I've always thought she was one of the very best things about MAME and no Claude not even the great Madeleine Kahn could have touched this performance. Could anyone really believe the sassy, vivacious Madeleine as a nerdy, repressed old maid? Jane was made for this role and I'm glad she got to be in the movie version. Glad to hear she was married and her babies didn't end up being little ---- RIP to a wonderful talent and condolences to her family and friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annaleigh Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 Send us a post card from the Shangri-La Motel in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania?And of course, I may just travel to hell in my new veneer. And look what I got as a souvenir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Kampen Tripp Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 YOU'RE LOVED JANE .. MY GOD HOW YOU ARE LOVED!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyImHome Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 I also loved her many appearances on Bewitched, as the Better Luck Next Time club secretary on The MTM Show, and (a personal favourite) as Edith Bunker's long-suffering friend Sybil Gooley.Queen Victoria on Bewitched! That was the best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 Queen Victoria on Bewitched! That was the best! O M G THAT ONE I SAW AND REMEMBER, THAT WAS HER????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 I've always thought she was one of the very best things about MAME and no Claude not even the great Madeleine Kahn could have touched this performance. Could anyone really believe the sassy, vivacious Madeleine as a nerdy, repressed old maid? Jane was made for this role and I'm glad she got to be in the movie version. Glad to hear she was married and her babies didn't end up being little ---- RIP to a wonderful talent and condolences to her family and friends. I only mentioned the late Ms Kahn as she left the picture and was replaced by the great Ms Connell. This is one case where I did not mind the originator on Broadway getting the screen version for a change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted September 24, 2013 Report Share Posted September 24, 2013 The Hollywood Reporter used a wonderful picture of Open-Windowed Gooch in their Jane obit: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/broadway-jane-connell-dies-mame-635489 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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