Actress Mariclare Costello, known for her roles in The Waltons and M*A*S*H has died, her family announced as they shared a tear-jerking tribute to the late star
Veteran actress Mariclare Costello has died. The actress was 90. Following her death, relatives fondly recalled how her basement was filled “floor to ceiling with costumes and props, and her productions were works of extraordinary care and beauty”.
They said: “She was also, in every dimension of her life, someone who paid attention. She could talk to anyone, was interested in everything and was a relentless asker of questions.”
“She refinished countless floors and collected objects, letters, photographs, even used coffee cups, much to her husband and daughter’s dismay. She made every space she inhabited more beautiful. Warm, curious, generous and tough, she had the constitution of an ox, was never sick and was always up for an adventure, especially if she could show up a few minutes late, as was her general inclination.” A funeral service will be held for her in New York.
Best remembered for her role as schoolteacher Rosemary Hunter in The Waltons, she also starred as a hippie-turned-vampire in the cult horror film Let’s Scare Jessica To Death, and graced nine Broadway productions throughout the 1960s. She was wed to M*A*S*H star Allan Arbus until he died in 2013.
Her illustrious stage career kicked off in 1964 with her Broadway debut in Arthur Miller’s After the Fall, followed by appearances in productions such as But For Whom Charlie and The Changeling, among others.
Beyond the theatre, her television credits spanned numerous popular series, including N.Y.P.D in 1969, Little House on the Prairie, and Murder She Wrote. However, it was her portrayal of Miss Rosemary Hunter on CBS’s beloved family drama The Waltons that cemented her place in viewers’ hearts, as the teacher who inspired John-Boy Walton to pursue writing.
Speaking about her career, in a 2011 interview, Mariclare said: “I had the greatest time with Richard Thomas and John Ritter. We laughed from the beginning of the day until the end of the day. We spent a lot of time together. They were great.”
Costello first encountered Arbus during an acting class led by Mira Rostova, with sparks flying while rehearsing Dorothy Parker’s play Here We Are.
The couple relocated to Los Angeles in the late 1960s and tied the knot at home after 12 years together. She remained by his side when he succumbed to congestive heart failure in April 2013.
Together, they had one daughter, Arin Arbus, who followed in their footsteps to become a theatre director. Costello leaves behind Arin and her partner Ethan, granddaughter Bird, stepdaughters Amy and Doon, as well as six nieces and one nephew.
If you have been affected by this story, Cruse Bereavement Support offers free help to make sense of how you are feeling. Click here for their website or call 0808 808 1677.
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