American Playhouse (1981– )

Stars:

Deanna Dunagan, Sada Thompson, Elizabeth Franz

Won 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 5 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Deanna Dunagan	...	Emily Dickenson (4 episodes, 1982-1984)
Sada Thompson	...	Andre's Mother (4 episodes, 1983-1990)
Elizabeth Franz	...	Doctor (4 episodes, 1982-1989)
Christopher Childs	...	Burdick, FBI (4 episodes, 1982-1986)
Haviland Morris	...	Amy-Joy (3 episodes, 1989-1990)
Roxanne Hart	...	Diane (3 episodes, 1986-1989)
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Nolan (3 episodes, 1986-1989)
Mary Seibel	...	Aunt Bernice (3 episodes, 1982-1984)
Jeffrey DeMunn	...	George (3 episodes, 1988-1990)
Tom Aldredge	...	Judge Mark Driscoll (3 episodes, 1984-1991)
James Gammon	...	Clate Connaloe (3 episodes, 1982-1987)
Bruce McGill	...	Edward Philbrick (3 episodes, 1982-1987)
Diana Bellamy	...	Arlene (segment "Astronomy") (3 episodes, 1983-1991)
Pepe Serna	...	Marpo (3 episodes, 1982-1991)
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Malcolm X (3 episodes, 1983-1989)
MacIntyre Dixon	...	Dr. Zuckerman (3 episodes, 1984)
Alfre Woodard	...	Esther (3 episodes, 1982-1985)
Harold Gould	...	Mr. Antrobus (3 episodes, 1983-1991)
Richard Thomas	...	Cal - Andre's lover (2 episodes, 1982-1990)
Bernadette Peters	...	Dot (2 episodes, 1986-1991)
Swoosie Kurtz	...	Bananas Shaughnessy (2 episodes, 1982-1987)
Lenny von Dohlen	...	Billy Galvin (2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Christopher Collet	...	David (2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Sylvia Sidney	...	Andre's Grandmother (2 episodes, 1982-1990)
Joanna Gleason	...	Baker's wife (2 episodes, 1989-1991)
Lise Hilboldt	...	Ellie Thompson (2 episodes, 1984-1985)
Jeff Yonis	...	Schwartz (2 episodes, 1982-1985)
Paul Winfield	...	Gabriel (2 episodes, 1983-1985)
Les Podewell	...	Grandpa (2 episodes, 1982)
Barbara Bryne	...	Blair Daniels (2 episodes, 1986-1991)
Helen Stenborg	...	Aunt Middy (2 episodes, 1982-1984)
Barnard Hughes	...	Ludlow Whitney (2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Aaron Freeman	...	Andrew (2 episodes, 1982-1984)
Cynthia Nixon	...	Sarah (2 episodes, 1982-1990)
Alan North	...	George (2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Jack Dodson	...	Charlie Hughes (2 episodes, 1984)
Barbara Hershey	...	Call Girl (2 episodes, 1982)
Jack Kehoe	...	Nikos (2 episodes, 1982-1986)
Wayne Kneeland	...	Lloyd (2 episodes, 1984)
Robert Westenberg	...	Alex (2 episodes, 1986-1991)
Wayne Tippit	...	Mr. Burleigh (2 episodes, 1984-1985)
George Womack	...	Ben Purdy (2 episodes, 1982-1984)
Jean De Baer	...	Edythe Wadleigh (2 episodes, 1984)
Larry Neumann Jr.	...	Couple in Library (2 episodes, 1984)
Barton Heyman	...	Kennedy (2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Rosemary Dean	...	Lady at Garage Sale (2 episodes, 1982-1984)
Richard Jenkins	...	Nicholas Vazzana (2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Melva Williams	...	Maid (2 episodes, 1984)
Anne Pitoniak	...	Chambers' Mother (2 episodes, 1984-1987)
Charles Kimbrough	...	Bob Greenberg (2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Peter Gerety	...	Edwin H. Fearon (2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Ted Kazanoff	...	Grand Juror (2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Raymond Serra	...	Callas (2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Will Lyman	...	Gabriel Javsicas (2 episodes, 1984-1985)
Edward James Olmos	...	Gen. Santa Anna (2 episodes, 1982)
Gary Sinise	...	Austin (2 episodes, 1984-1991)
Fred Ward	...	Mr. Crouch (2 episodes, 1985-1987)
Dana Andersen	...	Alice (2 episodes, 1987-1991)
Josh Hamilton	...	Lovely Mead (2 episodes, 1987-1990)
James Broderick	...	Dad (2 episodes, 1982-1983)
Blair Brown	...	Kat Hubble (2 episodes, 1983-1984)
Ken Howard	...	Pudd'nhead Wilson (2 episodes, 1984-1988)
Stephen Mailer	...	Ben (2 episodes, 1989-1991)
Barbara Bolton	...	Mom (2 episodes, 1982-1985)
Richard Jordan	...	Elmo Bliss (2 episodes, 1984-1991)
Edward Herrmann	...	Alger Hiss (2 episodes, 1984-1987)
Dick Latessa	...	Creech (2 episodes, 1984-1988)
George Coe	...	Brian Haas (2 episodes, 1984-1985)
Roderick Wimberly	...	Jacob (2 episodes, 1985)
Victor Garber	...	Jack Chesney (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Kyra Sedgwick	...	Carol (2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Rosalind Cash	...	Aunt Florence (2 episodes, 1983-1985)
Tim Ransom	...	Virgil (2 episodes, 1987-1989)
William Lampley	...	Flick (2 episodes, 1982-1985)
Frederic Forrest	...	Buster McGuire (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Jay Ine	...	Randy (2 episodes, 1982-1985)
Richard Kiley	...	Col. Grangerford (2 episodes, 1983-1986)
Giancarlo Esposito	...	Elisha (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Ruby Dee	...	Mrs. Grimes (2 episodes, 1985-1990)
Maria Todd	...	Heather (2 episodes, 1982-1985)
Mara Clark	...	1st Matron (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Carol Maillard	...	Lu Anne (2 episodes, 1982-1993)
Barry Miller	...	Demos (2 episodes, 1982-1984)
Lynne Thigpen	...	Louisa (2 episodes, 1982-1983)
George Hamlin	...	Allen Dulles (2 episodes, 1982-1984)
John McMartin	...	Paul Melton (2 episodes, 1982-1984)
Ron Rifkin	...	Leonard (2 episodes, 1984-1991)
Ned Beatty	...	Lynch Mob Leader (2 episodes, 1982-1985)
Richard Grusin	...	Sargeant (2 episodes, 1984-1985)
Sam Gray	...	David Goldfarb (segment "Yiddish") (2 episodes, 1984-1991)
Mary Alice	...	Blind Lily (2 episodes, 1984-1985)
Kaiulani Lee	...	Connie Van Buskirk (2 episodes, 1981-1987)
Trini Alvarado	...	Gail Brock (2 episodes, 1982-1990)
Lynn Whitfield	...	Woman in the bath (2 episodes, 1982-1990)
Helen Hunt	...	Mary Austin (2 episodes, 1982-1989)
Peter Gallagher	...	Charles Castle (2 episodes, 1982-1988)
Jean Shepherd	...	Himself (in frame story - movie theatre) (2 episodes, 1982-1985)
Brian Smiar	...	Gus (2 episodes, 1982-1985)
Damien Leake	...	Dale 'D.J.' Jackson (2 episodes, 1982-1984)
Danny Glover	...	Lester (2 episodes, 1983-1989)
Kevin Crysler	...	Priest (2 episodes, 1983-1985)
Armen Garo	...	Police Officer (2 episodes, 1983-1985)
John Malkovich	...	Ben Stark (2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Moses Gunn	...	Hannibal (2 episodes, 1984-1985)
William Hootkins	...	Phil Cooper (2 episodes, 1986-1988)
James Eckhouse	...	Steven (2 episodes, 1986)
Margo Skinner	...	Alice (2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Leslie Ayvazian	...	(segment "The Home") (2 episodes, 1989-1991)
Kathleen Chalfant	...	Herself (2 episodes, 1991-1993)
Jerry Stiller	...	Sam (2 episodes, 1991)

Storyline

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 January 1982 (USA)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Family Ties: Give Your Uncle Arthur a Kiss (1982)

User Reviews

Long-running, important video/film series on PBS.

This occasional series (the HALLMARK HALL OF FAME of PBS, it would appear up to about six or seven times a season over most of its run) was an anthology of original dramatic films and videotaped presentations, many of the films co-productions which might get an art-house run before (or after) appearing as an AP episode (such as SMOOTH TALK and TESTAMENT); others were meant for video presentation, such as the TALES OF THE CITY miniseries or (my favorite) the one-man show THE END OF A SENTENCE, starring Edward Herrmann. AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE head Lindsay Law moved on to Fox Searchlight as the series was winding down, presenting as its last "official" offering a cinema-verite miniseries in the 2000-2001 season.