Actress. She is best remembered for her portrayal of the first Golde in the original 1964 Broadway production of "Fiddler on the Roof." Born Maria Dovgolenko, the only child of Russian Jewish immigrants, she began her career at the age of seven performing with the Children's Ballet of the Metropolitan Opera. In 1939, she made her formal stage debut in a leading role in "Stars in Your Eyes" and from there she went on to flourish as a reputable character actress in a 40-year career; one of whom was often typecast as love interests, best friends, debutantes, wives, mothers, society matrons, and, in her later years, matriarchs. She appeared in lead roles in such plays as "The Ballet Theatre," "Call Me Mister," "Are You With It?," "Miss Liberty," "Two's Company," "Gypsy," "Bravo Giovanni," "Summer and Smoke," "The Diary of Anne Frank," "Mame," "The Women," "Zorba," "Gigi," "Bring Back Birdie," and "God's Favorite." She also appeared in films having supporting roles in "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" (1964) and "Married to the Mob" (1989) as well as having a recurring role on the television series "Ivan the Terrible." During her career, she was a member of the Theatre Guild, was active with the New York State Democratic Committee, was an active parishioner of the Central Synagogue, was the 1965 recipient of the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and she was married to actor George S. Irving from 1948 until her death (their union produced two children). In 1988, she retired from acting and spent the final years of her life devoted to her family along with charitable and religious causes.
Actress. She is best remembered for her portrayal of the first Golde in the original 1964 Broadway production of "Fiddler on the Roof." Born Maria Dovgolenko, the only child of Russian Jewish immigrants, she began her career at the age of seven performing with the Children's Ballet of the Metropolitan Opera. In 1939, she made her formal stage debut in a leading role in "Stars in Your Eyes" and from there she went on to flourish as a reputable character actress in a 40-year career; one of whom was often typecast as love interests, best friends, debutantes, wives, mothers, society matrons, and, in her later years, matriarchs. She appeared in lead roles in such plays as "The Ballet Theatre," "Call Me Mister," "Are You With It?," "Miss Liberty," "Two's Company," "Gypsy," "Bravo Giovanni," "Summer and Smoke," "The Diary of Anne Frank," "Mame," "The Women," "Zorba," "Gigi," "Bring Back Birdie," and "God's Favorite." She also appeared in films having supporting roles in "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" (1964) and "Married to the Mob" (1989) as well as having a recurring role on the television series "Ivan the Terrible." During her career, she was a member of the Theatre Guild, was active with the New York State Democratic Committee, was an active parishioner of the Central Synagogue, was the 1965 recipient of the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and she was married to actor George S. Irving from 1948 until her death (their union produced two children). In 1988, she retired from acting and spent the final years of her life devoted to her family along with charitable and religious causes.
Bio by: Lowell Thurgood
Gravesite Details
Upon her death, she was cremated and her ashes scattered in rural upstate New York as confirmed per her surviving relatives.
Family Members
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