Linda Dano

Linda Dano (born Linda Rae Wildermuth; May 12, 1943, Long Beach, California) is an American actress and television host. She began her career appearing in film and prime time television before she was cast as Rae Cummings on the ABC daytime soap opera, One Life to Live from 1978 to 1980. Three years later, Dano starred as Felicia Gallant in the NBC soap opera Another World from 1983 to 1999. She returned to One Life to Live starring in the show from 1999 to 2004. Dano was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award seven times, winning once for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1993 for her work on Another World.

From 1986 to 1991, Dano co-hosted the talk show Attitudes on Lifetime receiving a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host nomination, and had a long-running clothing and home-furnishings line with QVC, first partnering with the home shopping channel in 1993 and ultimately working with them for over 20 years.

Life and career Dano was born Linda Rae Wildermuth in Long Beach, California, to Evelyn (Delgado) and Ted Wildermuth. Cast of The Montefuscos (1975). Back row, L-R: Sal Viscuso, John Aprea, Linda Dano, Bill Cort. Middle row: Phoebe Dorin, Naomi Stevens, Joseph Sirola, Ron Carey. Front: Dominique Pinassi, Jeffrey Palladini, Damon Raskin and Robby Paris

Early works In late 1960s, Dano began appearing on screen playing small parts in films Tony Rome (1967), Star! (1968) and Hello, Dolly! (1969). In early 1970s, she signed a contract to 20th Century Fox alongside such actors as Tom Selleck and was cast in a numerous primetime programs. Dano guest-starred on Ironside, Police Woman, Harry O, Petrocelli, The Rockford Files (in three different roles), Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, and CHiPS, as well as in Emergency!, Barney Miller, and The Six Million Dollar Man (in two different roles). In 1975, Dano starred in the short-lived 1975 NBC comedy series, The Montefuscos, which was cancelled after three episodes were broadcast and ultimately ran for seven. She had supporting roles in the made-for-television movies The Last Survivors (1975), The Nurse Killer (1975), and The Night That Panicked America (1975). She starred alongside Joe Don Baker in the 1977 Western horror film, The Shadow of Chikara.

1978–2005 In 1978, Dano moved to New York City and joined the ABC daytime soap opera One Life to Live in the role of Gretel Cummings to 1980. From 1981 to 1982, she played Cynthia Haines on As the World Turns. In 1983, Dano was cast as glamorous romance novelist Felicia Gallant in the NBC soap opera, Another World. Dano played Felicia until the show's final episode on June 25, 1999, Dano received the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her performance of Felicia in 1993. She was also nominated for Leading Actress Emmys in 1994 and 1996, and for Supporting Actress in 1992.

From 1986 to 1991, Dano hosted the Lifetime talk show Attitudes, for which she received Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host nomination, and has both been a guest and guest-host on The View. Lifetime Television dedicated an episode of its Intimate Portrait celebrity biography series to Dano in 2000. Dano was impersonated on NBC's Saturday Night Live in the late 1980s by Nora Dunn. Dano hosted an Another World reunion special on SOAPnet in 2003 for which she was later nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Special. Dano has written a style and fashion column for Soap Opera Digest on and off for years, and has had her own merchandise lines on QVC, with Dano having celebrated her 20th anniversary affiliated with the home shopping network in February 2013. In 1999, she won the Accessories Council Excellence Award for outstanding contributions to consumer awareness.

Dano starred opposite Jaclyn Smith in the 1986 miniseries, Rage of Angels: The Story Continues based on novel by Sidney Sheldon. She appeared in the television movies Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss (1993), When the Vows Break (1995) opposite Patty Duke, and See Jane Date (2003). She also guest-starred on Homicide: Life on the Street and appeared in the independent film Somewhere in the City (1998).

On June 28, 1999, Dano returned to One Life to Live as Gretel, now calling herself "Rae" Cummings. In 2003, Dano was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Supporting Actress for the role, and left One Life to Live on March 13, 2004.

In 2019, after more than ten years off-screen, Dano appeared in the Hallmark television film, Chronicle Mysteries: Vines That Bind starring another soap opera veteran, Alison Sweeney. In early 2021, Dano stepped into the role briefly of Vivian Alamain on NBC soap opera, Days of Our Lives. In 2021, Dano starred in a Hallmark comedy film production, A Little Daytime Drama playing the role of the creator/producer of popular long-running daytime series.

Personal life Dano was married to actor Frank Attardi for over 20 years until his death in 2004. a niece, and a nephew.

For several years, Dano has worked with organizations to tackle medical conditions such as depression and Alzheimer's disease. Her father's life was taken by the effects of Alzheimer's, and she battled depression later after the double loss of her husband and her mother, Evelyn, a week-and-a-half afterward, with her mother showing signs of dementia before her death. Dano is active in such groups as HeartShare, the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the National Alzheimer's Association, and Support Partners, among others. Dano is also a patron of the Catholic Guardian Society of New York.

HeartShare Human Services of New York bestows an annual "Linda Dano Award".

Filmography

Books Romance novels During her run on Another World, Dano co-wrote at least one romance novel published under the name of her character Felicia Gallant. Gallant, Felicia, with Rebecca Flanders (1984). Dreamweaver. Harlequin. . . Donna Ball was a co-author.

Style guides Dano, Linda, with Anne Kyle (1997). Looking Great: Fashion Authority and Television Star Linda Dano Shares Her Style and Beauty Secrets to Help You Look Your Best. G.P. Putnam's Sons. . . Dano, Linda, with Anne Kyle (1998). Living Great: Style Expert and Television Star Linda Dano Shows You How to Bring Style Home With Her Easy, Affordable Decorating Ideas and Techniques. Putnam. . .