Sandy Duncan

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For other people named Sandy Duncan, see Sandy Duncan (disambiguation).

Sandy Duncan
Duncan in 1972
Born
Sandra Kay Duncan

(1946-02-20) February 20, 1946 (age 78)
New London, Texas, U.S.
Occupations
Years active1958–present
Known for
Spouses
Bruce Scott
​
​
(m. 1968; div. 1972)​
Dr. Thomas Calcaterra
​
​
(m. 1973; div. 1979)​
​
(m. 1980)​
Children2

Sandra Kay Duncan (born February 20, 1946) is an American actress, comedian, dancer and singer. She is known for her performances in the Broadway revival of Peter Pan, the sitcom The Hogan Family, and the Disney films The Million Dollar Duck and The Cat from Outer Space. Duncan has been nominated for three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.

Early life[edit]

Duncan was born on February 20, 1946, in New London, Texas, to Sylvia and Mancil Ray Duncan, a gas-station owner. She spent her early years there before moving to Tyler, Texas, when she was in third grade. She performed in her first dance recital at the age of five.[1][2]

Career[edit]

Duncan as Pinocchio with Flip Wilson as Fox and Liz Torres as Cat (TV musical, 1976)

Duncan started her entertainment career at age 12, working in a local production of The King and I for $150 a week.[3] In the late 1960s, she appeared in a commercial for United California Bank[4] and in the soap opera Search for Tomorrow for a brief period in 1968.

In 1970, Time named Duncan one of the "most promising faces of tomorrow". Also that year, she starred in the Broadway revival of The Boy Friend, for which she received favorable reviews. Duncan made her feature-film debut costarring with Dean Jones in the Walt Disney family comedy The Million Dollar Duck. She was then cast as Amy Cooper in the Paramount film version of Star Spangled Girl, based on the Broadway play by Neil Simon. Both films performed poorly at the box office. In autumn 1971, Duncan starred as Sandy Stockton on the CBS sitcom Funny Face. The program was placed in the Saturday-night prime-time schedule between All in the Family and The New Dick Van Dyke Show. Critics dismissed the show but praised Duncan, especially TV Guide columnist Cleveland Amory, who described her as "a wonderful comedienne."[This quote needs a citation]

Shortly after the premiere of Funny Face, Duncan underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumor behind her left optic nerve.[2] She lost vision in her left eye, but because it still tracked with her right eye, Duncan and her doctors elected to leave it in place. Duncan does not have a glass eye as rumours said. Her recovery from the operation was rapid, but CBS suspended production on Funny Face until the following year after the 12th installment had been filmed; the original series pilot served as the 13th (and final) episode. At first, Nielsen ratings for Funny Face were low, ranking in the lower 50s, but they eventually climbed to #17, and the show was called the best-liked new show of that television season.[by whom?] Duncan was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series. In September 1972, Funny Face returned as The Sandy Duncan Show, with a revised format, new writers and a new time slot, Sundays at 8:30 p.m. Critical reaction to the show was similar to that for Funny Face, but without the strong Saturday night lead-in of All in the Family, the ratings sank. After 13 episodes, CBS canceled the series.

In 1976, Duncan played the title role in a television musical adaptation of Pinocchio that featured Danny Kaye as Geppetto and Flip Wilson as the Fox. She also guest-starred in a first-season episode of The Muppet Show. For her performance as Missy Anne Reynolds in the miniseries Roots, she earned another Emmy nomination.

Duncan then returned to the Broadway stage for many years. In 1979, her run as the title role in Peter Pan won her many accolades. She also had replacement roles in My One and Only and Chicago. She was nominated for a Tony Award three times: in 1969, for Featured Actress (Musical) for Canterbury Tales, in 1971, as Best Actress (Musical) for The Boy Friend and in 1980, as Best Actress (Musical) for Peter Pan.

In 1972, an animated version of Duncan (who contributed her own voice) appeared in the "Sandy Duncan's Jekyll and Hyde" episode of the CBS Saturday-morning cartoon The New Scooby-Doo Movies; forty-eight years later, she would reprise her guest star appearance in "The Dreaded Remake of Jekyll & Hyde!" episode of Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?. In 1976, she guest-starred on The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman playing the role of Gillian in "The Return of Bigfoot" episodes.

In 1978, Duncan starred in Disney's The Cat from Outer Space along with Ken Berry, Harry Morgan and Roddy McDowall. From the mid-1970s through the 1980s, Duncan was the commercial spokesperson for Nabisco's Wheat Thins crackers.

In 1981, Duncan voiced Vixey in The Fox and the Hound. In 1984, she starred in a song and dance revue titled 5-6-7-8...Dance! at Radio City Music Hall and provided voice work for the My Little Pony television special Rescue at Midnight Castle as Firefly and Applejack. From 1986 to 1987, she reprised her role as Firefly in the My Little Pony 'n Friends series. In 1987, she joined the cast of NBC's Valerie's Family (previously known as Valerie, later to be retitled The Hogan Family) after Valerie Harper was dismissed. Duncan starred as the matriarch's sister-in-law Sandy Hogan, who moves in with her brother Mike (Josh Taylor) and his three sons to help raise the family after Valerie Hogan's death. She remained with the series through its cancellation in 1991. In 1988, she worked on the first three Barney and the Backyard Gang children's videos. Duncan was asked to take part in the Barney & Friends television series, but declined the offer.[5] In 1991, she voiced Peepers the mouse in the Don Bluth film Rock-a-Doodle. In 1994, she voiced Queen Uberta in the Richard Rich film The Swan Princess.

From 1999-2001, Duncan co-hosted with Ron Montez the PBS show Championship Ballroom Dancing.[6][7][8]

In 2003, Duncan appeared in the rotating cast of the Off-Broadway staged reading of Wit & Wisdom.[9] In May 2008, she performed one of the lead roles in the musical No, No, Nanette, a production of the City Center's annual Encores! series. In April 2009, she performed the lead role in the play Driving Miss Daisy at Casa Mañana Theatre in Fort Worth, Texas. In September 2009, she played the lead role in Tennessee Williams' play The Glass Menagerie at the Mountain Playhouse in Jennerstown, Pennsylvania. She has also participated in many traveling stage productions, including The King and I.

On February 12, 2016, Duncan took the role of Madame du Maurier in the Broadway production of Finding Neverland.[10] On February 17, the show's producers announced that she would take a temporary leave of absence because of family obligations.[11]

Personal life[edit]

Duncan in 1999

Duncan met singer-actor Bruce Scott (born Bruce Scott Zaharaides) during the Off-Broadway production of Your Own Thing, and they were married in September 1968. Their divorce, finalized in October 1972,[12] was caused by tensions resulting from Duncan's success and rise to stardom. Duncan told People magazine in 1979 that "It was very threatening to Bruce."[13]

Her second marriage was to Dr. Thomas Calcaterra on January 10, 1973; it lasted until 1979. Duncan met Calcaterra when he was a consulting surgeon for her brain-tumor surgery. This marriage also failed, according to Duncan, because of the demands of her 1978 nightclub act and her refusal to remain at home to be a good "doctor's wife."[13]

Since July 21, 1980, Duncan has been married to actor and choreographer Don Correia. They have two sons, born in 1982 and 1984. She and her husband, who performed together on stage before they wed, live in Connecticut.[2] Taylorville, Illinois (near Springfield) named a street in her honor, Sandy Duncan Drive. Her character in Funny Face and The Sandy Duncan Show, Sandy Stockton, is from Taylorville.[citation needed]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1969 Midnight Cowboy Woman in TV Montage Uncredited
1971 The Million Dollar Duck Katie Dooley
Star Spangled Girl Amy Cooper
1978 The Cat from Outer Space Liz
1981 The Fox and the Hound Vixey Voice Role
1988 The Backyard Show Mom Short Film
Three Wishes
1989 A Day at the Beach Mom / Molly the Mermaid
1991 Rock-a-Doodle Peepers Voice Role
1994 The Swan Princess Queen Uberta
1998 The Swan Princess: Sing Along Queen Uberta (Voice Role) Short Film
2001 Never Again Natasha
G Spots? The Queen Short Film
2016 Life is Funny N/A Short Film (co-producer)

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1964 Search for Tomorrow Helen 2 episodes
1970 The Jackie Gleason Show Herself (Guest) "#4.15"
1970–1971 What's My Line? Herself (Panelist) 2 episodes
1971 Bonanza Angeline "An Earthquake Called Callahan"
Funny Face Sandy Stockton series regular (13 episodes)
1972 The New Scooby-Doo Movies Herself (Voice Role) "Sandy Duncan's Jekyll and Hyde"
The Sandy Duncan Show Herself series regular (13 episodes)
The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour Herself (Guest) "#2.11"
1972–1973 Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In Herself (Guest Performer) 2 episodes
1972–1976 The Hollywood Squares Herself (Panelist) 21 episodes
1972–1979 The Hollywood Squares 130 episodes
1972–1990 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Herself (Guest) 38 episodes
1973–1979 The $10,000 Pyramid Herself (Celebrity Contestant) 45 episodes
1974 Password "11.26.1974"
1974–1978 The $25,000 Pyramid 6 episodes
1975 The Bob Hope Show Herself (Guest) 1 episode
1975–1980 Dinah! Herself (Guest) 10 episodes
1976 Pinocchio Pinocchio TV movie
Good Heavens Patti "The Big Break"
The Six Million Dollar Man Gillian "The Return of Bigfoot: Part 1"
The Bionic Woman "The Return of Bigfoot: Part 2"
Christmas in Disneyland Tour Guide / Snow White TV movie
The Muppet Show Herself (Special Guest Star) "Sandy Duncan"
1977 Roots Missy Anne Reynods Miniseries (2 episodes)
The Love Boat Sharon Barker "Lost and Found / The Understudy / Married Singles"
1980 Omnibus Peter Pan "06.15.1980"
1984 My Little Pony: Rescue at Midnight Castle Firefly / Applejack / Medley (Voice Role) TV Short
1986 Miss Universe Pageant Herself (Judge) TV special
1987 Act II Meg Madison TV movie
1987–1991 Valerie's Family / The Hogan Family Sandy Hogan main cast (season 3 onwards)
1988 ALF Herself "We Are Family"
1989 My Boyfriend's Back Chris Henry TV movie
1993 Miracle on Interstate 880 Lorrie Helm TV movie
1995 Law & Order Defense Attorney Michelle "Shelly" Kates "Paranoia"
1999 Jeopardy! Herself (Celebrity Contestant) "1999-B Celebrity Jeopardy! Game #5"
2014–2015 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Trial Judge Virginia Farrell 2 episodes
2020 Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? Herself (Voice Role) "The Dreaded Remake of Jekyll & Hyde!"

Theater[edit]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
1970 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Performance The Boy Friend Won [15]
1980 Outstanding Actress in a Musical Peter Pan Nominated [16]
1971 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Star Spangled Girl Nominated [17]
Most Promising Newcomer – Female The Million Dollar Duck Nominated
1972 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series Funny Face Nominated [18]
1977 Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series Roots Nominated
1968 Theatre World Awards — Ceremony of Innocence Won [19]
1969 Tony Awards Best Featured Actress in a Musical Canterbury Tales Nominated [20]
1971 Best Leading Actress in a Musical The Boy Friend Nominated [21]
1980 Peter Pan Nominated [22]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Mancil R. Duncan". Tyler Courier-Times. December 23, 1994. p. 6, Section 1.
  2. ^ a b c Rocca, Mo (July 24, 2022). "'Peter Pan' star Sandy Duncan still has a lot to 'crow' about". CBS Sunday Morning. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  3. ^ Brennan, Patricia (June 26, 1988). "Sandy Duncan: 'The Hogans' and Her Own". The Washington Post. p. 7. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  4. ^ Sandy Duncan – United California Bank Commercial on YouTube
  5. ^ Luna, Amy (March 22, 2002). "In 'Second Glance,' It's Sandy Duncan". Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  6. ^ "Championship Ballroom Dancing". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  7. ^ "Championship Ballroom Dancing". WGBH Educational Foundation. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  8. ^ "Championship Ballroom Dancing". TV Guide. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  9. ^ "Wit & Wisdom Tickets, News and Information | ArcLight Theatre". Theatermania. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  10. ^ Gordon, Jessica Fallon (February 13, 2016). "Photo Coverage: Pan is Back! Sandy Duncan Takes Her First Bows in Finding Neverland". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  11. ^ "Official: Sandy Duncan Takes Temporary Leave from FINDING NEVERLAND for 'Family Obligations'". BroadwayWorld. February 17, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  12. ^ "Sandy Duncan Gets Divorce". Lodi News-Sentinel. United Press International. October 19, 1972. p. 7.
  13. ^ a b Langdon, Dolly (September 3, 1979). "After a Brain Tumor and Two Failed Marriages, Sandy Duncan Is Flying High Again". People. Archived from the original on May 21, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  14. ^ Hopkins, Philip (November 13, 2002). "The Fourth Wall". TheaterMania. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  15. ^ "Nominees and Recipients – 1970 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  16. ^ "Nominees and Recipients – 1980 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  17. ^ "Sandy Duncan – Golden Globes". HFPA. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  18. ^ "Sandy Duncan". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  19. ^ "Theatre World Award Recipients". Theatre World Awards. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  20. ^ "1969 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  21. ^ "1971 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  22. ^ "1980 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved February 20, 2022.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sandy Duncan.
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