Who was Tammy Grimes? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Tammy Lee Grimes

Died At Age: 82

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Christopher Plummer (m. 1956–1960), Jeremy Slate (m. 1966–1967), Richard Bell (m. 1971–2005)

father: Luther Nichols Grimes

mother: Eola Willard

children: Amanda Plummer

Singers Actresses

Height: 5'5" (165 cm), 5'5" Females

Died on: October 30, 2016

place of death: Englewood, New Jersey, United States

Notable Alumni: Stephens College

Cause of Death: Natural Causes

U.S. State: Massachusetts

More Facts

education: Stephens College

Recommended For You

1

What notable roles did Tammy Grimes play in her career?

Tammy Grimes was known for her roles in Broadway productions such as "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" and "High Spirits."
2

Did Tammy Grimes have a successful singing career?

Yes, Tammy Grimes was a talented singer and performed in various musicals during her career.
3

In which films did Tammy Grimes showcase her acting talents?

Tammy Grimes appeared in films such as "Play It As It Lays" and "Slaves of New York," demonstrating her acting skills on the big screen.
4

Was Tammy Grimes involved in any notable charitable or philanthropic activities?

Yes, Tammy Grimes supported various charitable causes throughout her life, including organizations dedicated to the arts and animal welfare.
5

Did Tammy Grimes receive critical acclaim for her performances on stage and screen?

Yes, Tammy Grimes received praise from critics for her acting and singing talents, earning recognition for her work in both theater and film.

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Childhood & Early Life

Tammy Lee Grimes was born on January 30, 1934, in Lynn, Massachusetts, USA. Her father, Luther Nichols Grimes, was a farmer and country-club manager while her mother, Eola Willard, was a naturalist.

She attended Beaver Country Day School and later Stephens College. Grimes then attended New York City's Neighborhood Playhouse where she studied acting.

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Career

Tammy Grimes made her stage debut in 1955 at the Neighborhood Playhouse in ‘Jonah and the Whale’. The same year, she launched her Broadway career with a starring role in the play ‘Bus Stop’.

She featured in ‘The Littlest Revue’, an off-Broadway production, in 1956. This was followed by a main role in the Broadway play ‘Look After Lulu’. During this time, Grimes also released her debut album titled ‘Julius Monk presents Tammy Grimes’.

She then starred in the 1960 musical ‘The Unsinkable Molly Brown’ and earned a Tony Award for her performance. Soon after this, she released two more albums: ‘Tammy Grimes’ and ‘The Unmistakable Tammy Grimes’.

Grimes next featured in the musical ‘High Spirits’ in 1964 and also appeared in an episode of CBS’ drama ‘Mr. Broadway’ that year. Two years later, she featured in her own TV series ‘The Tammy Grimes Show’ as an heiress who loves to spend money. The show ran for only a month due to poor ratings.

After appearing in the films ‘Three Bites of the Apple’ and ‘Play It as It Lays’, the actress had roles in the TV movies ‘The Horror at 37,000 Feet’ and ‘The Borrowers’.

In 1974, she lent her voice to the character of Albert in an animated television Christmas special titled ‘Twas the Night before Christmas’. After this, she played Diana in the play ‘California Suite’. This was followed by the role of Elmire in the Broadway production of ‘Tartuffe.’

In 1980, Grimes appeared in the musical ‘42nd Street.’ A year later, she narrated BBC's radio production of ‘The Lord of the Rings’.

She served as the host of CBS Radio Mystery Theater in 1982. That year, she also had a voice role in the American-Japanese fantasy film ‘The Last Unicorn’.

In the 1990s, she did the films ‘A Modern Affair’ and ‘Trouble on the Corner’. In 2007, she returned to the cabaret stage and appeared in a one-woman show.

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Major Works

In 1969, Tammy Grimes featured in a revival of Noël Coward's comedy ‘Private Lives’. It follows a divorced couple, who, while on a honeymoon with their new partners, find out that they are staying at the same hotel and soon realize that they still have romantic feelings for each other. Grimes’ performance in the play earned her the Tony Award for Best Actress.

Family & Personal Life

On August 16, 1956, Tammy Grimes married Canadian actor Christopher Plummer. The couple had one daughter, Amanda, who also went on to become an actress. They divorced in 1960.

Grimes then married actor Jeremy Slate in 1966; they were divorced within a year. She eventually married composer Richard Bell. They remained together until Bell's death in 2005.

She died on October 30, 2016, from natural causes, aged 82.

Facts About Tammy Grimes

Tammy Grimes had a unique habit of collecting antique hats and often incorporated them into her stage performances, adding a touch of whimsy to her characters.

Despite her successful career on Broadway and in film, Tammy Grimes was known for her down-to-earth personality and approachability, making her a favorite among fans and colleagues alike.

In addition to her acting talents, Tammy Grimes was also a skilled painter and enjoyed creating artwork in her free time, showcasing her creativity in multiple forms of expression.

Tammy Grimes had a great love for animals and was actively involved in various animal welfare organizations, demonstrating her compassionate nature offstage.

As a dedicated supporter of the arts, Tammy Grimes often volunteered her time to mentor aspiring actors and actresses, sharing her wisdom and experience to help nurture the next generation of talent.

Tammy Grimes Biography

You wanted to know

What notable roles did Tammy Grimes play in her career?

Did Tammy Grimes have a successful singing career?

In which films did Tammy Grimes showcase her acting talents?

Was Tammy Grimes involved in any notable charitable or philanthropic activities?

Did Tammy Grimes receive critical acclaim for her performances on stage and screen?