Marion Ross

Multi-talented, famed and beloved stage, film and television actress

Women's International Center is privileged to acknowledge and honor beloved and multi-talented actress Marion Ross.

Millions of fans know Marion Ross through her eleven year portrayal of Mrs. C on Happy Days. Her first love is the stage and she received critical acclaim for her Broadway and National tour, with Jean Stapleton, in Arsenic & Old Lace; also for the National tour of Steel Magnolias. She does a one woman show celebrating the life, loves and poetry of Edna St.Vincent Millay in A Lovely Light. She is seen in reruns on the Bravo network in her acclaimed series Brooklyn Bridge, for which she was twice nominated for an Emmy and was a two time winner for Best Comedy Actress of the Year by Viewers for Quality Television. She was also nominated for an Emmy for Touched By An Angel. She won a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Rosie in the movie, The Evening Star, with Shirley MacLaine.

She continues in television as Drew Carey's mother on The Drew Carey Show, and she is the feisty matriarch of the Gilmore family on Gilmore Girls. She is also the spokesperson for the city of Marion, Illinois.

Marion hails from Albert Lea, Minnesota and after college at San Diego State University, she proudly began her career under contract to Paramount Studios in the 50's, where she did live TV at CBS on Life With Father. She's proudest of performing with Noel Coward in Blithe Spirit, live at CBS with Sir Noel, Claudette Colbert and Lauren Bacall.

Marion Ross continues to entertain, touch and enrich the lives of millions of fans and admirers throughout the world.

Women's International Center enthusiastically presents the Living Legacy Award to a fine actress and remarkable woman whose legacy grows greater everyday.