Joan "Jennifer" Bassey
Pine Valley Presence
Marian Colby (1983 to 1985; 1995 to 1998 [recurring]; 1998 to 2003 [contract]; 2003 to
May 21, 2008;
May 22, 2009 to
August 6, 2009 [recurring])
At a Glance
It took over a decade for Jennifer Bassey to become a contract player with All My Children -- but in 1989 the popular actress was finally given a long-term contract with the show.
Born in Chicago, Bassey's first forray into entertainment was as a Playboy bunny. Bassey claims to have amassed "an absolute fortune" during her two-year run at the Playboy Club. Bassey left Playboy and moved to London, England where she attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where she would graduate with honors.
After graduation, Bassey moved to New York and appeared in a handful of Broadway shows. Off-Broadway, she appeared in The Taming of the Shrew and MacBeth.
Bassey landed the role of Marian Colby in 1983, a move that helped her nab film roles in such films as Bonfire of the Vanities and 27 Dresses. She's also appeared in numerous primetime television series.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, yoga, Nordic-tracking, bowling, and many other sports.
Acting Portfolio
TELEVISION
30 Rock
Old Vibrant Lady
2007
Law & Order
Mrs. Conley
2002
Silk Stalkings
Katrina Rowan
1997
ABC Afterschool Specials
Mrs. Hanff
1996
Hudson Street
Betsy Clifford
1995
Coach
Alice
1995
Silk Stalkings
Brooke Dupree
1994
Sweating Bullets
Polly
1993
Matlock
Gloria Morrell
1993
Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation
Ruth
1992
Stepfather III
vDr. Brady
1992
Jake and the Fatman
1991
Over My Dead Body
Clarice
1990
Murphy Brown
Nancy
1990
Falcon Crest
vCynthia Wallace
1989
Who's the Boss?
Beverly Fiske
1989
Charlie
Betty Wald
1989
Goddess of Love
Mrs. Wilson
1988
In the Heat of the Night
Eugete Davenport
1988
Side by Side
Jennifer Benson
1988
L.A. Law
Judge Caplan
1987-1993
ABC Weekend Specials
Mrs. Waterford
1985
All My Children
Marian Colby
1983 to 1985; 1995 to 1998 [recurring]; 1998 to 2003 [contract]; 2003 to May 21, 2008; May 22, 2009 to August 6, 2009 [recurring]
The Edge of Night
Abby Wolcott
1976
Somerset
Dorothy Conrad
1975
Love of Life
Jennifer Stark
1969-1971
Acting Portfolio
FILM
27 Dresses
Jane's Aunt
2008
It Had to Be You
Mrs. Allen
2000
Dunston Checks In
Mrs. Dellacroce
1996
Illicit Dreams
Real Estate Woman
1995
Twogether
Mrs. McKenzie
1994
Singles
1992
The Bonfire of the Vanities
Diplomat's Wife
1990
Ladies on Sweet Street
1990
The Platinum Triangle
Mrs. Farber
1989
Waxwork
Mrs. Loftmore
1988
Acting Portfolio
THEATRE
Isn't It Romantic
Lillian Conwell (December 2000)
(Off-Broadway)
Awards & Acclaim
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (1999)
Soap Opera Digest Awards Outstanding Female Scene Stealer (1998)
Soap Opera Digest Awards Favorite Couple (1999; With David Canary)
Vital Statistics
PLACE OF BIRTH: Chicago, Illinois
DATE OF BIRTH: July 22nd, 1942
News Archives
News Archive: Jennifer Bassey taken off contract. [Mar 3rd, 2003]
