Morgan Fairchild

Patsy Ann McClenny (born February 3, 1950), As a young child, she was seen on WFAA's Mr. Peppermint Show with host Jerry Haynes. In her teens, she was in the audience on WFAA's Sump'n Else bandstand show. She auditioned three times to be in The Little Group, which was the show's dance group. Also during this time, she appeared in several locally broadcast commercials on Dallas-Fort Worth television stations.

Career Fairchild's first acting job was as a double for Faye Dunaway during filming for the film Bonnie and Clyde (1967), particularly in scenes where Bonnie is driving a car because Dunaway could not drive a stick shift. She took her new first name, Morgan, from the David Warner film Morgan - A Suitable Case for Treatment (1966). Fairchild then moved to New York City, where she secured her first credited onscreen role as the maniacal Jennifer Pace in the daytime soap opera Search for Tomorrow from 1973 until 1977. From the mid-1970s, she began to make various appearances on episodic primetime television series such as Kojak, Happy Days, Police Woman, The Bob Newhart Show, and a few episodes of CBS Radio Mystery Theater.

Fairchild played Jenna Wade in the soap opera Dallas for one episode in 1978. Though the series had an impressive beginning, the ratings soon dropped and it was canceled after two seasons. Fairchild was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role. After the cancellation of Flamingo Road, Fairchild continued to make guest appearances in a variety of episodic television series such as Hotel; Simon & Simon; Magnum, P.I.; and The Love Boat. She also starred in the theatrical film The Seduction (1982). In 1984, along with Joan Collins, she co-hosted the ABC-TV special Blondes vs. Brunettes, a one-hour variety show that gently poked fun at popular culture's blonde vs. brunette rivalry. In that same year, she also co-starred in another primetime soap opera Paper Dolls playing modeling agency owner Racine. The series was cancelled halfway through its first season, but by this time, Fairchild was established as a television actress. In 1985, she joined the cast of the soap opera Falcon Crest, playing the glamorous lawyer Jordan Roberts for a season. She also appeared in the miniseries North and South (1985), and its sequel (1986).

In 1985, Jon Lovitz on Saturday Night Live created the "Tommy Flanagan, The Pathological Liar" character who claimed outlandish achievements for himself, culminating in the grand illusion that his wife was Morgan Fairchild. The obvious remoteness of such a possibility, and its mainstream comic appeal, was testimonial to Fairchild's broad popularity and desirability.

Fairchild continued to make appearances in films and television series throughout the 1980s and garnered an Emmy Award nomination for her guest appearance in a 1989 episode of Murphy Brown. She played the role for a year, after which she went on to appear in General Hospital. She also made guest appearances on the hit sitcom Friends (as Chandler Bing's mother, Nora) and was a recurring guest star on the sitcom Cybill as Andrea, a rival of Cybill Shepherd's character.

Through the years, Fairchild has also appeared in various theater productions. More recently, she starred in the role of Mrs. Robinson in the stage adaptation of the film The Graduate. She also fronted an international advertising campaign for the consumer tooth whitening product Dental White. In 2005, Fairchild appeared in the competition reality show But Can They Sing? on VH1.

In 2006, she was cast in yet another of her "rich bitch" roles in the MyNetworkTV series Fashion House, playing Sophia Blakely, a rival to Bo Derek's character, Maria Gianni. She has also appeared on the television series Chuck as Dr. Honey Woodcomb, the mother of Captain Awesome. In 2007 she appeared on Two and a Half Men where she was cast as a cougar who propositions Charlie Harper with the line "What has multiple orgasms and hums?" She made another return to soap operas in 2009 when she had a guest role in the daytime series The Bold and the Beautiful. In recent years, she guest-starred in Bones, Revenge and Hot in Cleveland.

In 2014, Fairchild was named spokesperson for a website that was created to help consumers make burial preplanning choices. It was previously known as BurialPlanning.com but is now known as MemorialPlanning.com. In that capacity, she appeared in television commercials and in a direct mail campaign.

Fairchild has appeared in some independent movies in the 2000s and 2010s. In 2017, she returned to daytime for a limited run in Days of Our Lives playing Anjelica Deveraux, a role previously played by soap actress Judith Chapman. Fairchild received a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series nomination for her performance. In 2022, she guest-starred in the two episodes of ABC soap opera General Hospital playing Haven de Havilland.

On October 3, 2023, it was announced that Fairchild would feature in the Lifetime film, Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas. According to the official synopsis, the movie follows five soap opera divas readying for a reunion show who take on playing cupid during Christmas to bring together their director and producer as they all learn the meaning of the true Christmas spirit. The ensemble cast is made up of Fairchild, Loni Anderson, Linda Gray, Donna Mills, and Nicollette Sheridan.

Personal life

Fairchild was married to Jack Calmes from 1967 to 1973.

For many years, she has been an activist for social causes including AIDS and environmentalism.

In 1987, she was involved in a long-term relationship with Mark Seiler.

She stated that she was twice kidnapped in the early 1970s.

In addition to her work as an actress, Fairchild has long maintained a strong role within the Screen Actors Guild, now SAG-AFTRA. Fairchild was a three-year board member of the Guild and has served on several committees, including co-chair Legislative Committee, National Executive Committee, SAG-AFTRA Relations Committee, Commercials Contracts Committee, Honors and Tributes Committee (HATS), and Guild Governance and Rules Committee.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1967 Bonnie and Clyde Faye Dunaway's Double Uncredited 1970 A Bullet for Pretty Boy Small role Uncredited 1978 The Initiation of Sarah Jennifer Lawrence Television film 1979 Murder in Music City Dana Morgan Television film 1980 The Memory of Eva Ryker Lisa Eddington Television film Challenge of the Tiger Celebrity 1981 The Girl, the Gold Watch & Dynamite Stella Walker Television film 1982 The Seduction Jamie Douglas Honeyboy Judy Wellman Television film 1984 Time Bomb Renee DeSalles Television film The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood Lady MarianTelevision film Terror in the Aisles Jaime Douglas Archival footage 1985 Pee-wee's Big Adventure Agent Dottie Rodney Dangerfield's Guide to Auto Repair Angry Customer 1986 Red Headed Stranger Raysha Shay 1987 Campus Man Katherine Van Buren Sleeping Beauty Queen Deadly Illusion Jane Mallory / Sharon Burton 1988 Street of Dreams Laura Cassidy / Eva Bomberg Television film Midnight Cop Lisa 1989 Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge Mayor Karen Wilton The Haunting of Sarah Hardy Lucy Television film 1990 How to Murder a Millionaire Loretta Television film Mob Boss Gina Menu for Murder Paula Preston Television film 1991 Even Angels Fall Leslie Writer's Block Magenta Hart Television film Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady Irene Frances Adler Television film 1992 Just Deserts Catherine Harcourt Television film 1993 Perry Mason: The Case of the Skin-Deep Scandal Alana Westbrook Television film Irmgard Hoelzl Freaked Herself Based on an Untrue Story Satin Chow 1994 Point of Seduction: Body Chemistry III Beth Chaney Test Tube Teens from the Year 2000 Camella Swales Naked Gun : The Final Insult Herself 1995 Criminal Hearts District Attorney Venus Rising Peyton Gospa Sister Fabijana Zovko 1996 Dead Man's Island Valerie St. Vincent Star Command Commander Sigrid Ivorstetter Television film (UPN) 1997 Moment of Truth: Into the Arms of Danger Diana Astin Television film 1998 Shattered Illusions Angie Holy Man Herself 1999 Nice Guys Sleep Alone Lorraine 2000 Unshackled Mrs. Rebecca Miller Held for Ransom Mrs. Kirkland 2001 Peril Terry 2002 Teddy Bears' Picnic Courtney Vandermint I Was a Teenage Faust Babylonia Television film 2004 Knuckle Sandwich Mrs. Simms Arizona Summer Debbie 2006 Shock to the System Phyllis Hale The Initiation of Sarah Trina Goodwin Television film 2007 Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story Herself 2008 The Sno Cone Stand Inc Cathy Wanton 2009 The Slammin' Salmon Herself 2010 Life's a Beach Felicia Wald The Steamroom Sheila 2011 Boy Toy Barbara Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 Dog Show Judge eCupid Venus 2012 American Horror House Miss Margot / Rosemary Television film Spring Break '83 Mouth's Mother Unreleased A Perfect Ending Valentina 2013 Fighting Back Cheryl Wiener Dog Nationals Ms. Merryweather Dark Power Elizabeth Archer 2014 Perfect On Paper Beverly Wilcox Television film Bikini Model Academy Herself Beethoven's Treasure Tail Charlene Video Sam Lulu Christian Mingle Lacie Wood 2016 Mostly Ghostly: One Night in Doom House Lulu Direct-to-video A Christmas in Vermont Joanne Davis 2017 Scales: Mermaids Are Real Principal You're Gonna Miss Me Audrey Lake 2018 All Good Things Gramma My Perfect Romance Ms. Robinson Television film 2019 A Date Before Christmas Eve Mrs. Kringle Television film 2021Our (Almost Completely True) Love Story Morgan 2023The Nana ProjectFrancesca Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas Margaux Roberts Television film

Television Year Title Role Notes 1973–77 Search for Tomorrow Jennifer Pace 1976 Kojak Allison Episode: "A Hair-Trigger Away" 1977 Rafferty Lisa Farrell Episode: "A Point of View" Switch Shelley Bloom Episode: "Downshift" Rosetti and Ryan Claire Blake Episode: "The Ten-Second Client" Happy Days Cynthia Holmes Episode: "My Fair Fonzie" The Bob Newhart Show Bianca / Linda Episode: "Grand Delusion" 1978 Police Woman Cheryl Episode: "Murder with Pretty People" The Amazing Spider-Man Lisa Benson Episode: "Night of the Clones" Barnaby Jones Felice Winters and Scotty MacKay respectively Episodes: "Daughter of Evil" and "A Dangerous Affair" Dallas Jenna Wade Episode: "Old Acquaintance" Escapade Suzy TV pilot 1978–79 Mork & Mindy Susan Taylor 3 episodes 1979 Concrete Cowboys Carla / Kate Episode: "Concrete Cowboys" A Man Called Sloane Melissa Nelson Episode: "The Venus Microbe" 1980 The Dream Merchants Dulcie Warren TV Miniseries, 2 episodes Young Maverick Selene Episode: "Makin' Tracks" 1981 Women Who Rate a "10" Herself Guest host with Erik Estrada and Howard Hessemen The Love Boat Jenny Boyer 2 episodes 1980–82 Flamingo Road Constance Weldon Carlyle 38 episodesNominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama (1982) 1982 Magnum, P.I. Alex Houston / Catherine Hailey Episode: "Ki'is Don't Lie" Simon & Simon Alex Houston / Catherine Hailey Episode: "Emeralds Are Not a Girl's Best Friend" The Shape of Things Herself (1 episode) Guest host with Sarah Purcell, Lynn Redgrave and Betty WhiteShow was cancelled after 3 episodes 1983 Hotel Carol Episode: "Hotel" 1984 Paper Dolls Racine 13 episodes Blondes vs. Brunettes Herself ABC TV Special 1985 North and South Burdetta Halloran TV miniseries 1986 North and South, Book II Burdetta Halloran TV miniseries 1985–86 Falcon Crest Jordan Roberts 29 episodesNominated—Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role on a Prime Time Serial (1986) 1989 My Two Dads Diana Thackery Episode: "Macho, Stupid Guy Time" Murphy Brown Julia St. Martin Episode: "TV or not TV"Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (1990) 1992 Roseanne Marla 3 episodes 1993 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Miranda Episode: "Pheromone, My Lovely" Murder, She Wrote Iris Novaro Episode: "Murder at a Discount" 1994 Burke's Law June Ward Episode: "Who Killed Romeo?" Empty Nest Zoe Episode: "Best Friends" Diagnosis: Murder Pamela Dorn Episode: "My Four Husbands" 1995–96 The City Sydney Chase 1996 General Hospital Sydney Chase 1995–97 Cybill Andrea Thorpe 4 episodes 1997 Head over Heels Mona DuBois Episode: "Gigolo Guy" Touched by an Angel Jackie Sykes Episode: "My Dinner with Andrew" The Naked Truth Herself Episode: "Bridesface Revisited" 1998 Home Improvement Herself Episode: "Mr. Likeable" V.I.P. Herself Episode: "Three Days to a Kill" The Angry Beavers Muffy Snootwell Episode: "Open Wide for Zombies/Dumbwaiters" (voice) 1999 The New Addams Family Lady Pretensia Episode: "Thing's Romance" 1995–2001 Friends Nora Tyler Bing 5 episodes 2001 Dharma & Greg Jackie Episode: "Dharma Does Dallas" 7th Heaven Merle 'Bird' Episode: Teased 2002 Roswell Meris Wheeler 2 episodes Providence Gwendolynne Gold Episode: "Limbo" Maybe It's Me Kimberly 'Big Kimberly' Episode: "The Quahog Festival Episode" That '80s Show Cossima Blair Episode: "Beach Party" 2003 Just Shoot Me! Lily Barton Episode: "Pictures of Lily" 2004 That '70s Show Carolyn Episode: "Going Mobile" He's a Lady Herself Panel judge 2006 Fashion House Sophia Blakely 35 episodes 2007 Two and a Half Men Donna Episode: "Young People Have Phlegm Too" 2008 Men in Trees Herself Episode: "Get a Life" 2009 Nip/Tuck Herself Episode: "Manny Skerritt" 2009 My Name Is Earl Carol Episode: "Friends with Benefits" 2009, 2026 The Bold and the Beautiful Dorothy "Dottie" Bright 12 episodes 2009 Celebrity Ghost Stories Herself 1 episode 2010 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Claire Lockton Episode: "Bedtime" 2008–10 Chuck Dr. Honey Woodcomb 3 episodes 2011 Bones Bianca Chiverton Episode: "The Prince in the Plastic" 2011 Chemistry Michael's Mother Episode: "In or Out, Part 2" 2012 Happily Divorced Jill Episode: "The Reunion"2014 Revenge Teresa (cameo) Episode: "Addiction" Hot in Cleveland Claudia / Fake Elka Episode: "Playmates" 2017 Days of Our Lives Anjelica Deveraux 17 episodesNominated — Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series 2019 Worst Cooks in America Herself 2019Too Old to Die YoungMrs. WatsonEpisode: "Volume 6: The High Priestess" 2020 The Simpsons Vivienne St. Charmaine Episode: "Podcast News" (voice)2022–24General HospitalHaven de HavillandGuest role over three stints

Theater Year Title Role Notes 1970 Take Me Along Belle Casa Manana Dallas Tx 1970 Mame Gloria Casa Manana Dallas Tx 1972 Last of the Red Hot Lovers Bobbi National Tour With Barney Martin 1972 Dracula Blonde Victim Windmill Theatre Dallas TX 1973 The Tender Trap Julie With Tab Hunter 1973 The Seven Year Itch The Girl With Arte Johnson 1973 The Marriage-Go-Round Katrin With Rosemary Prinz 1973 The Girl in the Paisley Convertible Sylvia With Bob Denver 1981 Geniuses Syke Douglas Fairbanks Theater NYC 1983 Goodbye CharlieCharlie With James Farentino Kenly Players Ohio 1986 Gentlemen Prefer BlondesLorilei Summer Under The Stars 1999 Crimes of the HeartChick Boyle Falcon Theater LA, Gary Marshall 2000 High Infidelity The Wife Promenade Theater NYC, John Davidson 2002 Singin' in the Rain Lina Lamont Pittsburgh CLO 2004-2005 The Graduate Mrs. Robinson National Tour 2014 Murder Among Friends Angela New Theatre, Overland Park Kansas 2016-2017 Cinderella Christmas The Stepmother Pasadena CA 2017 The Dixie Swim Club Dinah New Theatre, Overland Park Kansas 2017 The Dixie Swim Club Dinah Florida Production 2022 Don't Dress for Dinner Suzette New Theatre, Overland Park Kansas 2023 Always a Bridemaid Monette New Theatre, Overland Park Kansas 2024 Butterflies Are Free Mrs. Baker Judson Theatre Group South Carolina 2025 Marilyn, Mom, and Me Eileen Heckart Annenberg Theater Palm Springs Staged Reading

Video games Year Title Role Notes 1995 Multimedia Celebrity Poker Herself