Collection: Colleen Dewhurst Collection | Lawrence University Archives

This collection consists of materials documenting the professional life of actress Colleen Dewhurst. Dewhurst attended Milwaukee-Downer College as a member of the class of 1946. The collection contains primarily newspaper articles and photographs, as well as playbills, letters, a poster, and a television script.

Dates

1942-2001

Creator

Lawrence University (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Lawrence University does not hold the copyright for all materials in this collection. Uses beyond those allowed for fair use under U. S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) require the researcher to secure permission from the copyright holder.

Extent

0.20 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Biographical or Historical Information

Born June 3, 1924, Colleen Dewhurst attended Milwaukee-Downer College as a member of the class of 1946. Lawrence University awarded her the honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts in 1972. She served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1984 to 1989, and she gave a Convocation address in May of 1985. Colleen had a long and illustrious career as an actress both on the stage and on screen. She was a working actress for the better part of forty years. During that time, Colleen won two Obies, two Tony awards and four Emmys—the last one was awarded posthumously. She is best known for the wide variety of parts she played, including plays such as All the Way Home (1960) which won her her first Tony, and TV shows such as Murphy Brown, in which her portrayal of Murphy’s mother won her her fourth Emmy. She was also a theatre activist, serving as president of the Actor’s Equity Association from 1985 until her death in 1991.