Barbara Cason
Barbara Cason was Dennis Patrick's beloved wife and an accomplished character actress in her own right. She too was one of the most recognizable faces on television in the 70s and 80s making guest appearances on numerous programs, in addition to a successful career she had in film and theatre. She was recognizable for her wide smile, lithe figure, and unique charm. With her first husband, actor George Touliatos, Barbara co-founded and ran the Front St Theatre in her hometown of Memphis, TN. During this time, Barbara also appeared as "Kitty Kelly", hostess of a local morning show on WREC-TV in Memphis, TN. Among her most memorable roles include the chilling suspense/horror "The Honeymoon Killers", the cult classic cigarette comedy "Cold Turkey", and of course as a regular cast member on the ground-breaking sitcom "It's Garry Shandling's Show". Barbara Cason and Dennis Patrick met when they appeared together in the stage play "Marat/Sade". Friends at first, their love blossomed over time. On the subject of meeting Barbara, Dennis was quoted in TV Radio Show Magazine as saying: "She has such a marvelous figure, like a dancer! I asked her to cue me and she was so helpful." The couple dated for 4 years and were married in 1970, just 1 week after the premiere of "House of Dark Shadows" in which they both appeared. (It was the 2nd marriage for both.) Barbara and Dennis were, by all accounts, a loving, devoted and ideally suited couple. Sadly, Barbara was cut down before her time when a heart attack claimed her life unexpectedly at the age of 61.
Links:
Wikipedia entry on Barbara Cason
IMDB entry for Barbara Cason
Internet Off-Broadway Database entry for Barbara Cason
Internet Broadway Database entry for Barbara Cason
Links:
Wikipedia entry on Barbara Cason
IMDB entry for Barbara Cason
Internet Off-Broadway Database entry for Barbara Cason
Internet Broadway Database entry for Barbara Cason
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THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL, Memphis, June 21, 1990
Thespians here recall Barbara Cason fondly
by Donald La Badie
Actress Barbara Cason was fondly remembered by Memphis friends and colleagues Wednesday. The 61-year-old co-founder of the old Front St. Theatre, who later acted in New York and Hollywood, died Monday in Hollywood of apparent heart failure.
"She was a marvelous, wonderful, outgoing person and an actress with an extraordinary range," said Anastasia Herren, chairman of the Shelby State Community College fine arts and speech department.
"We were like sisters," said Ms. Herren, who received news of the death from Ms. Cason's husband, Dennis Patrick.
"I talked to her Friday," said Ms. Herren. "I was with her and her husband last month in Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, I first met her at Front Street in 1957, the year after it opened. Her husband at that time (George Touliatos) was artistic director. She was the equivalent of a producer. She ran the box office, paid the checks and acted.
"They put a lot of money into it. She would do an early morning show as Kitty Kelly on WREC-TV and spend the rest of the day at Front Street. She could do just about anything. She played Big Mama in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" with Carrie Nye. She was kind of a singing actress in 'Call Me Madam' and 'Little Mary Sunshine'. Her voice wasn't that big, but she knew how to put over a song."
She said Ms. Cason had returned to Memphis frequently, had directed "I Remember Mama" at Theatre Memphis in 1980, presented the first Memphis Theatre Awards in 1984, and performed in a Memphis Symphony Orchestra benefit in 1987.
Barry Fuller, a well-known Memphis director and actor, recalled: "I met her and George at the University of Iowa in 1954. They invited me to come down to Front Street, which is why I'm in Memphis today. Actually, we first acted together at Theater 12, a forerunner of Front Street. She was Olivia, and I was Malvolio . . . in 'Twelfth Night'.
"She was tall and blond and somewhat large-breasted. When we did the Charleston together in 'The Boy Friend' at Front Street, she had to wear a bust-binder. She was blue in the face when she came off stage. She was a super, wonderful woman who will be remembered by many Memphians. It's a devastating loss for her friends."
Thespians here recall Barbara Cason fondly
by Donald La Badie
Actress Barbara Cason was fondly remembered by Memphis friends and colleagues Wednesday. The 61-year-old co-founder of the old Front St. Theatre, who later acted in New York and Hollywood, died Monday in Hollywood of apparent heart failure.
"She was a marvelous, wonderful, outgoing person and an actress with an extraordinary range," said Anastasia Herren, chairman of the Shelby State Community College fine arts and speech department.
"We were like sisters," said Ms. Herren, who received news of the death from Ms. Cason's husband, Dennis Patrick.
"I talked to her Friday," said Ms. Herren. "I was with her and her husband last month in Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, I first met her at Front Street in 1957, the year after it opened. Her husband at that time (George Touliatos) was artistic director. She was the equivalent of a producer. She ran the box office, paid the checks and acted.
"They put a lot of money into it. She would do an early morning show as Kitty Kelly on WREC-TV and spend the rest of the day at Front Street. She could do just about anything. She played Big Mama in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" with Carrie Nye. She was kind of a singing actress in 'Call Me Madam' and 'Little Mary Sunshine'. Her voice wasn't that big, but she knew how to put over a song."
She said Ms. Cason had returned to Memphis frequently, had directed "I Remember Mama" at Theatre Memphis in 1980, presented the first Memphis Theatre Awards in 1984, and performed in a Memphis Symphony Orchestra benefit in 1987.
Barry Fuller, a well-known Memphis director and actor, recalled: "I met her and George at the University of Iowa in 1954. They invited me to come down to Front Street, which is why I'm in Memphis today. Actually, we first acted together at Theater 12, a forerunner of Front Street. She was Olivia, and I was Malvolio . . . in 'Twelfth Night'.
"She was tall and blond and somewhat large-breasted. When we did the Charleston together in 'The Boy Friend' at Front Street, she had to wear a bust-binder. She was blue in the face when she came off stage. She was a super, wonderful woman who will be remembered by many Memphians. It's a devastating loss for her friends."