As the Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music (1965)

Born in Brooklyn, NY. One of the grande dames of the American theater and a member of the Algonquin "Round Table." She made her screen debut in 1919 in ALMOST A HUSBAND, which starred Will Rogers. She next appeared on film in the 1929 silent WONDER OF WOMEN. She made six films during the 1930s, including A STAR IS BORN (1937), where she played Central Casting Corporation clerk, Miss Phillips. She made three films during the 1940s and none during the 50s. In 1960 she played Naomi in THE STORY OF RUTH. She is probably best known for the record she set in the youngest entertainment medium, television, for eight years playing Mama in "I Remember Mama" (1949-1956). Wood made one of her rare screen appearances in THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965) in a role that took her back to the start of her career, for Wood had starred in musicals two generations before she earned acclaim as a dramatic actress. Director Robert Wise knew her as a warm and generous person, ideal qualities for the Mother Abbess role. And Wood was thrilled with her part, even though she knew her voice was going to be dubbed. As to why she never achieved the success in films that she had on stage and in early TV: "I was not attractive in the way one was supposed to be out there, and I think that, and the fact that I could act, confused them terribly." She died March 18, 1978.  Nominated for Supporting Actress 1965: THE SOUND OF MUSIC 1 nomination