---
name: "Colleen Dewhurst"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/colleen-dewhurst"
fi1m_id: "colleen-dewhurst"
imdb_id: "nm0223157"
tmdb_id: 10559
wikidata_id: "Q253916"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "3 June 1924"
died: "22 August 1991"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 77
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-07T11:27:05.699208+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Colleen Dewhurst

## Identity

Colleen Dewhurst

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/colleen-dewhurst
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** colleen-dewhurst
- **IMDb ID:** nm0223157
- **TMDB ID:** 10559
- **Wikidata ID:** Q253916
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colleen_Dewhurst, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q253916, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0223157/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10559

Actor. Born 3 June 1924 in Montréal, Québec, Canada. Died 22 August 1991.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 3 June 1924, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- **Died:** 22 August 1991
- **Active:** 1959–1991
- **Also known as:** Colleen Rose Dewhurst
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 4 Emmys (4 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 84 (1), 1970s 86 (1), 1980s 80 (3), 1990s 64 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 67 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 4, Comedy 3, Romance 2, Crime 1, Documentary 1, Horror 1
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $160m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colleen_Dewhurst, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q253916, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0223157/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10559

## Streaming the US now

- **The Roku Channel:** [*Annie Hall*](https://film.one/film/annie-hall.md) (86)
- **Pluto TV:** [*The Dead Zone*](https://film.one/film/the-dead-zone.md) (82)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Colleen Dewhurst

> Colleen Dewhurst brought earthy authority and understanding to formidable women. We value the force of her supporting performances, while wishing films had given that throaty voice, and the actor behind it, more to do.

Colleen Dewhurst’s voice is throaty and authoritative, well suited to women who do not expect to be ignored. In *Annie Hall* (1977), she plays Mrs Hall, Annie’s mother, and brings an earthy presence to a film busy examining its own feelings. We warmed to her because the force of that voice gives Annie’s mother a presence of her own amid the romantic self-examination. Diane Keaton remains the chief source of the film’s warmth. Dewhurst’s contribution is smaller, but she makes the maternal part worth noticing without our needing to mistake it for the main attraction.

Her substantial roles were on stage, particularly in Eugene O’Neill’s plays directed by José Quintero. Josie Hogan in *A Moon for the Misbegotten* (1973) was a signature part, drawing on the earthiness and passion for which she was known. Film work remained supporting, even as those stage performances established her reputation. That matters when judging the screen career: the recurring maternal parts made use of her authority, but gave her too few opportunities to show what else she could do.

In David Cronenberg’s *The Dead Zone* (1983), she plays Henrietta Dodd. This is a psychic thriller whose dangers matter because Christopher Walken gives them such a sad human centre, and Dewhurst’s formidable presence has a different use here from the warmth of *Annie Hall*. She is an actor who can make authority feel less than reassuring. The storytelling is sometimes disjointed, but the performances and Cronenberg’s restrained handling of the supernatural make the film easy to recommend. It also discourages any account of Dewhurst that makes her merely comforting.

Television gave her greater prominence in the 1980s, including Marilla Cuthbert in *Anne of Green Gables* (1985) and Avery Brown in *Murphy Brown*. Marilla offers a natural next stop for anyone interested in her capacity for understanding as well as forcefulness. The lighter work deserves attention without an apology for its distance from O’Neill; sympathy was one of her strengths throughout. For a longer acquaintance than the films allow, try *Anne of Green Gables*.

## Biography

Colleen Rose Dewhurst was a Canadian-American actress. Born in Montréal, Québec, she trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made her professional stage debut in the early 1950s.

She became known for her interpretations of Eugene O’Neill’s plays on Broadway and off-Broadway, winning two Tony Awards. Her film and television roles included Mrs Hall in *Annie Hall* (1977), Henrietta Dodd in *The Dead Zone* (1983), Marilla Cuthbert in the 1985 television adaptation of *Anne of Green Gables* and its sequels, and Estelle Whittier in *Dying Young* (1991). She also served as president of the Actors’ Equity Association from 1985 until her death in 1991.

Dewhurst received four Primetime Emmy Awards for her television work.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Dying Young* (1991), Fi1m 40, as Estelle Whittier — [page](https://film.one/film/dying-young.md)
- *The Civil War* (1990), Fi1m 87, as Various (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-civil-war.md)
- *Murphy Brown* (1988), Fi1m 77, as Avery Brown Sr. — [page](https://film.one/tv/murphy-brown.md)
- *Moonlighting* (1985), Fi1m 82, as Betty Russell — [page](https://film.one/tv/moonlighting.md)
- *The Dead Zone* (1983), Fi1m 82, as Henrietta Dodd — [page](https://film.one/film/the-dead-zone.md)
- *Annie Hall* (1977), Fi1m 86, as Mrs. Hall — [page](https://film.one/film/annie-hall.md)
- *The Nun's Story* (1959), Fi1m 84, as Dangerous Hospital Patient — [page](https://film.one/film/the-nuns-story.md)

## Complete filmography (84)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Bed & Breakfast* (1991), as Ruth
- *Dying Young* (1991), as Estelle Whittier — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/dying-young.md)
- *Kaleidoscope* (1990), as Margaret
- *The Civil War* (1990), series, as Various (voice) — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-civil-war.md)
- *The Exorcist III* (1990), as Satan (voice) (uncredited)
- *Lantern Hill* (1989), as Hepzibah
- *Termini Station* (1989), as Molly Dushane
- *Those She Left Behind* (1989), as Margaret Page
- *Murphy Brown* (1988), series, as Avery Brown Sr. — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/murphy-brown.md)
- *Hitting Home* (1988), as Judge
- *Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel* (1987), as Marilla Cuthbert
- *Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel* (1987), series, as Marilla Cuthbert
- *Bigfoot* (1987), as Gladys
- *Anne auf Green Gables* (1986), series, Actor
- *Sword of Gideon* (1986), as Golda Meir
- *The Boy Who Could Fly* (1986), as Mrs. Sherman
- *As Is* (1986), as Hospice Worker
- *Johnny Bull* (1986), as Marie Kovacs
- *Between Two Women* (1986), as Barbara Petherton
- *Anne of Green Gables* (1985), as Marilla Cuthbert
- *Anne of Green Gables* (1985), series, as Marilla Cuthbert
- *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, Actor
- *A.D.* (1985), series, as Antonia
- *Moonlighting* (1985), series, as Betty Russell — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/moonlighting.md)
- *You Can't Take it With You* (1984), as Grand Duchess Olga Katrina
- *The Glitter Dome* (1984), as Lorna Dillman
- *Finder of Lost Loves* (1984), series, as Rachel Green
- *The Good Fight: The Abraham Lincoln Brigade in the Spanish Civil War* (1984), Actor
- *The Dead Zone* (1983), as Henrietta Dodd — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-dead-zone.md)
- *One Man's Fight For Life* (1983), as Narrator
- *Alice in Wonderland* (1983), as Red Queen
- *"Sometimes I Wonder"* (1983), as Grandma
- *The Blue and the Gray* (1982), series, as Maggie Geyser
- *Between Two Brothers* (1982), Actor
- *Split Cherry Tree* (1982), as Mrs. Sexton
- *A Few Days at Weasel Creek* (1981), as Aunt Cora Jackfield
- *Tribute* (1980), as Gladys Petrelli
- *Baby Comes Home* (1980), as Anna Kramer
- *A Perfect Match* (1980), as Meg Larson
- *Final Assignment* (1980), as Dr. Valentine Ulanova
- *The Women's Room* (1980), as Val
- *Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones* (1980), series, as Myrtle Kennedy
- *Escape* (1980), as Lily Levinson
- *Death Penalty* (1980), as Elaine Lipton
- *Mary and Joseph: A Story of Faith* (1979), as Elizabeth
- *And Baby Makes Six* (1979), as Anna Kramer
- *When a Stranger Calls* (1979), as Tracy
- *Studs Lonigan* (1979), series, as Mary Lonigan
- *Silent Victory: The Kitty O'Neil Story* (1979), as Mrs. O'Neil
- *Ice Castles* (1978), as Beulah Smith
- *The Third Walker* (1978), as Kate Maclean
- *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Maud Correll
- *Annie Hall* (1977), as Mrs. Hall — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/annie-hall.md)
- *Quincy, M.E.* (1976), series, Actor
- *A Moon for the Misbegotten* (1975), as Josie Hogan
- *Henry James' The Jolly Corner* (1975), as Narrator
- *The Story of Jacob and Joseph* (1974), as Rebekah
- *McQ* (1974), as Myra
- *Parker Adderson, Philosopher* (1974), as Hostess
- *Legend in Granite* (1973), as Marie Lombardi
- *A Prowler in the Heart* (1973), as Margery Landing
- *Tennessee Williams' South* (1973), Actor
- *The Hands of Cormac Joyce* (1972), as Molly Joyce
- *The Cowboys* (1972), as Kate
- *The Last Run* (1971), as Monique
- *The Price* (1971), as Esther Franz
- *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Red Queen
- *ITV Saturday Night Theatre* (1969), series, as Mrs Franz
- *The Crucible* (1967), as Elizabeth Proctor
- *A Fine Madness* (1966), as Dr. Vera Kropotkin
- *The F.B.I.* (1965), series, as Amy Doucette
- *The Big Valley* (1965), series, as Annie
- *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour* (1962), series, as Nurse Ellen Hatch
- *The Virginian* (1962), series, as Celia Ames
- *Ben Casey* (1961), series, Actor
- *Dr. Kildare* (1961), series, as Eleanor Markham
- *Man on a String* (1960), as Helen Benson
- *Burning Bright* (1959), as Mordeen Saul
- *Medea* (1959), as First Woman of Corinth
- *The Nun's Story* (1959), as Dangerous Hospital Patient — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-nuns-story.md)
- *Decoy* (1957), series, as Taffy Connor
- *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1954), series, as Gladys
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Esther Franz, Mollie Joyce
- *Kraft Television Theatre* (1947), series, as Christine

## Gallery

- ![Colleen Dewhurst](https://film.one/media/person/118061/gallery-9c4f6730fb86.jpg) Colleen Dewhurst — Channel 7, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Colleen_Dewhurst.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Colleen Dewhurst](https://film.one/media/person/118061/gallery-0af3c5edb2af.jpg) Colleen Dewhurst — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 4 won

- 1991: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Murphy Brown*
- 1989: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *Those She Left Behind*
- 1989: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Murphy Brown*
- 1986: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *Between Two Women*

### Other awards — 4 won, 6 nominated

- Earle Grey Award 1992: Earle Grey Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 1977: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 1974: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 1973: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 1972: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 1968: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 1964: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 1962: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 1961: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (won)
- Theatre World Award 1958: Theatre World Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/colleen-dewhurst