Elizabeth Wilson

Trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse, Elizabeth Wilson made her first Broadway appearance as Christine Schoenwalder in the original 1953 production of William Inge's Picnic. Christine Schoenwalder served as Wilson's entree into films when Picnic was transferred to the Big Screen in 1956. She continued racking up such impressive Broadway credits as Desk Set and The Tunnel of Love throughout the fifties. During the next two decades, Wilson found her particular niche in uptight maternal roles, notably such characters as Marjorie Newquist in the stage and screen versions of Jules Feiffer's Little Murders and Harriet in Joseph Papp's production of Stick and Bones, which earned her an Emmy. She was a favorite of director Mike Nichols, who cast her in The Graduate (1967, as Benjamin Braddock's mother), Catch 22 (1970) and Day of the Dolphin (1973). On television, Elizabeth Wilson has had regular roles in such series as East Side/West Side (1963) Dark Shadows (1966-71, as Mrs. Hopewell) and Doc (1975). - Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide