Method-trained critics' darling of the 1960s who first made her name on Broadway with Tony Award-winning performances in "A Thousand Clowns" (1962) and "Any Wednesday" (1964). Dennis' high-pitched, neurotic style lent itself to quirky, eccentric roles in films such as "Splendor in the Grass" (1961, her debut). Her memorable performance as the irritating yet vulnerable young faculty wife in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" (1967) earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, and her portrayal of an idealistic teacher in an inner-city school in "Up the Down Staircase" (1967) won her a Best Actress accolade from the Moscow Film Festival. Dennis turned in some fine performances in later films, notably "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" (1982) and, in a hilarious cameo, Bob Balaban's overlooked "Parents" (1989). She made her final onscreen cameo as the wife of Charles Bronson in Sean Penn's directorial debut, "The Indian Runner" (1991), before her death the following year from ovarian cancer at age 54.
Profession(s):
Actor, acting teacher
Sometimes Credited As:
Sandra Dale Dennis
Family
father:Jack Dennis (deceased)
Companion(s)
Eric Roberts
, Companion
Gerald O'Loughlin
, Companion
, ```..lived together seven years
Gerry Mulligan
, Companion
, ```..together June 1965 until 1976
Moscow Film Festival Best Actress Award "Up the Down Staircase" 1967
Oscar Best Supporting Actress "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" 1966
Tony Actress in a Play "Any Wednesday" 1964
Tony Supporting Actress in Play "A Thousand Clowns" 1963
Variety's New York Critics Poll Award Best Actress "A Thousand Clowns" 1963
Theatre World Award 1961
1985 - 1989 Regular role in TV series, "The Equalizer"
1968 TV acting debut, "A Hatful of Rain"
1966 Appeared in legendary Actors Studio production of "The Three Sisters" with Kim Stanley and Geraldine Page; production was taped for television
1961 Screen acting debut in "Splendor in the Grass"
1960 Broadway debut, "Face of a Hero" at the O'Neill Theater
1956 Stage debut, "Bus Stop" at the Royal Poinciana Playhouse, Palm Beach, Florida
Grew up in Kenesaw and Lincoln, Nebraska
Began acting in high school
Joined Lincoln Community Theater Group
Moved to New York City at age 19
First New York stage production, "The Lady From the Sea"
