Born in Columbus, OH, and educated at the Ohio State University and the American Theatre Wing. Tall, slender, highly accomplished character actress of the American stage, TV, and films. On Broadway from the early 1940s, she appeared in many important productions, winning the Drama Critics Award for The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1957-58). She also achieved eminence in many TV appearances beginning in 1949 and won an Emmy in 1967 for "Win Me a Place at Forest Lawn." Her film appearances were sporadic but always impressive. Notable non-nominated screen credits include SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME and BUS STOP (both 1956), HOT SPELL (1958), HELLER IN PINK TIGHTS (1960), MY SIX LOVES (1963), UP THE DOWN STAIRCASE (1967), NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY (1968), THE TREE (1969), ZANDY'S BRIDE (1974), THE HIDING PLACE (1975), BURNT OFFERINGS (1976), SIEZE THE DAY and HEARTBREAK RIDGE (both 1986), and her last film, THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (1996). She won an Academy Award as best supporting actress for her performance in BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE (1972). In 1976 she opened a one-woman play, Eleanor, in which she portrayed Eleanor Roosevelt.  Nominated for Supporting Actress 1956: THE BAD SEED  Supporting Actress 1972: BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE 2 nominations, 1 Award