A daytime favorite, Marj Dusay appeared on such daytime dramas as Santa Barbara (1987-1988) and Capitol (1983-1986), but she is best known to daytime audiences for her portrayal of Alexandra Spaulding on Guiding Light. In 1995, it was this role that garnered her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actress. Ms. Dusay earned a second Daytime Emmy nomination in 2002 for a special fan-voted award as America's Favorite Villain for her work as All My Children's Vanessa Bennett.
Marj Dusay, born Marjorie Ellen Pivonka Mahoney in Russell, Kansas, began her career in the ground-breaking, L.A. based improvisational comedy group, The Session, with Rob Reiner and Richard Dreyfuss. Her motion picture debut was with Elvis Presley in Clam Bake. Her other feature film credits include MacArthur, Breezy, Made in Heaven, Love Walked In, and Sweet November.
Along with being accomplished on the stage, this prolific actress has had lead roles in such series as Facts of Life, Sons and Daughters, Bret Maverick, Studio 5-B, and Cliff Hangers. She has also guest-starred in over 150 television series, including WKRP in Cincinnati, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Heat of the Night, Perfect Strangers, Murder, She Wrote, Dallas, and Star Trek. Her television work also includes miniseries credits, Daughters of Privilege, Wheels, and Fire in the Sky.
Ms. Dusay served as the Kansas Film Commissioner from 1984-98 and was active in the organization's efforts to bring the film world to her home state of Kansas. Ms. Dusay was avid golfer and the mother of actress Deborah Dusay Blocker and the late Randall Dusay. Ms. Dusay became an advocate for to find a cure for HIV/AIDS after her son died of AIDS in 1993.
February 4, 1999 to October 17, 2002
1993
September 23, 1993 to March 11, 1997; November 20, 1998 to January 21, 1999; December 8, 2004 to September 18, 2009
Capitol
Myrna Clegg
1983 to 1987
A Chronicle of Corpses
Grandmother Elliot
2000
The Facts of Life
Monica Warner
1981 to 1987
Clambake
Waitress
1967
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actress (Alexandra Spaulding, Guiding Light, 1995)
Daytime Emmys Nomination, America's Favorite Villain (Vanessa Bennett, All My Children, 2002)
Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (Vanessa Bennett, All My Children, 2003)
PLACE OF BIRTH: Russell, Kansas
DATE OF BIRTH: February 20, 1936
PASSED AWAY: January 28, 2020
News Archive: Report says Dusay could exit AMC in 2002. [Dec 3, 2001]
News Archive: Despite exit rumors, Dusay re-signs with AMC. [Dec 10, 2001]
News Archive: Dusay exit rumors resurface. [Jan 28, 2002]
News Archive: Statement issued confirming Dusay's done at AMC. [Sep 9, 2002]
News Archive: Joan Collins out, Marj Dusay in as GL's Alex. [Nov 25, 2002]
News Archive: CBS extends Dusay's run as Alex. [Feb 2, 2003]
News Archive: Firings continue, Dusay bucks recurring trend. [Jun 20, 2005]
News Archive: Dusay changes mind, will recur on GL. [Sep 12, 2005]
News Archive: Behind-the-scenes video of Marj Dusay discussing how everyone wants to kill Alan Spaulding. [Mar 23, 2009]
News Archive: Behind-the-scenes video of Ron Raines and Marj Dusay talking about Guiding Light. [Mar 23, 2009]
News Archive: Marj Dusay has died; the Guiding Light, All My Children alum was 83 [Jan 29, 2020]
News Archive: INTERVIEW: Marj Dusay looks back at her career and storied roles [Feb 5, 2020]
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