Caroline McWilliams (Marcy Hill) 1945-2010 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 02-19-2010, 02:51 AM

Link

Caroline McWilliams, an actress and director best known to television audiences for her work on the series "Benson" and "Soap," has died. She was 64.

McWilliams died Feb. 11 at her home in Los Angeles from complications of multiple myeloma, her family said.

Caroline Margaret McWilliams was born April 4, 1945, in Seattle but grew up in Barrington, R.I. She graduated in 1966 with a bachelor's degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Her first break on television was on "Guiding Light," a longtime CBS soap opera in which she appeared for several years beginning in 1969. While in New York, she also started to build her stage career.

McWilliams' credits included "Boccaccio," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "The Rothschilds," along with productions for the New York Shakespeare Festival and the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Conn.

She also appeared on the soap opera "Another World" in 1975.

In 1978 and '79, she played Sally on the ABC comedy "Soap," and from 1979 to '81 played Marcy Hill on the series “Benson,” a spinoff from "Soap" starring Robert Guillaume.

Other TV appearances included starring in the 1989 series "Nearly Departed" with Eric Idle, "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Judging Amy."

Her movie roles included "Mermaids" in 1990.

McWilliams' sister Kelly-Jo Dvareckas said she "really felt she hit her stride when she started to direct."

McWilliams' credits as a director included the plays "Divorcons (Let's Get a Divorce)," "You Haven't Changed a Bit and Other Lies" and "The Smoke and Ice Follies."

In addition to her sister, McWilliams is survived by her son, Sean Douglas, and sisters Norma Liedtke and Patti McWilliams. She was divorced from actor Michael Keaton.

catlover79 · 02-19-2010, 03:03 AM

NO!! That is so sad - I loved her!! My thoughts and prayers go out to her son and the rest of her loved ones.

Marvo301 · 02-19-2010, 03:26 AM

Caroline Mcwilliams. I always thought Benson was a better show with Caroline than without her. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.

BensonFan · 02-19-2010, 03:07 PM

I did not need to see this first thing this morning, the day after my birthday. I wonder what the cause of death was, as nothing is specified. (EDIT: Actually, now that I reread it, it does mention that you can donate to a myeloma fund. Myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells. Maybe that's the cause of death, but it also could be just a cause she fought for.)

Only 64 years old.

She'll always be Marcy Hill to me.

, Sweet Caroline.

TripperFan · 02-19-2010, 03:23 PM

Wow - this one is surprising. I hadn't heard anything on this. Sounds like her death was expected by family and friends - cancer perhaps? So sad, although it sounds like she lived a fun, full life.

RIP

catlover79 · 02-19-2010, 05:25 PM

The obit says she did benefits for ALS - I wonder if that's what happened to her. If so - I can relate a bit. That's what my grandfather died of.

BensonFan · 02-19-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

The obit says she did benefits for ALS - I wonder if that's what happened to her. If so - I can relate a bit. That's what my grandfather died of.

I edited my post because they mentioned myeloma in the obituary as a place you can donate to in lieu of flowers. So that may be it as well.

At any rate, just sad. You know, one of the great things about Benson some 30 years after it first aired was that all the main characters were still living, pretty amazing given some of the ages of them today. Not a lot of shows could say that. It's too bad we can't say that any longer.

Mr. Television · 02-19-2010, 06:20 PM

This is so sad. Caroline was such a great actress on Benson. I was sorry to see her leave. Whenever I think about her, I remember the way she was then...so young and alive. This is just another reminder that nobody lives forever. I think the last time I saw her was when she was on 90210. She still looked great then. R.I.P. Caroline.

MikeLutton · 02-19-2010, 08:07 PM

what does Als stand for

catlover79 · 02-19-2010, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeL

what does Als stand for

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig's disease. It also killed Guiding Light star Michael Zaslow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Gehrig%27s_disease

Mr. Television · 02-19-2010, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig's disease. It also killed Guiding Light star Michael Zaslow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Gehrig%27s_disease

It's an awful disease. It's a terrible way to die.

catlover79 · 02-19-2010, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

It's an awful disease. It's a terrible way to die.

It sure is. My heart just broke watching my grandfather suffer from it. His heartbreak at losing my grandmother after 59 years of marriage didn't help, either. She died in July 2000, he was diagnosed with ALS in March 2001 and died in November 2002. My sister and brother-in-law gave their second son the middle name William, which was Grandpa's first name.

340wedge · 02-20-2010, 01:18 AM

Was terribly saddened to hear this, my Uncle passed away from ALS and it is a horrible thing. It does remind us that life is not forever ,but she left behind a great body of work and I'll watch Benson and the characters will always be young and alive, as I'll always remember them. RIP Marcy.

~Claytonsbabe~ · 02-20-2010, 04:48 AM

That is so sad!

I have no words...
She was so beautiful!
I'll deeply miss her.

Good bye, Marcy! ♥♥♥

TV_Fan · 02-20-2010, 12:54 PM

RIP Caroline. You will be missed.

02-19-2010, 02:51 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,377	Caroline McWilliams (Marcy Hill) 1945-2010 Link Caroline McWilliams, an actress and director best known to television audiences for her work on the series "Benson" and "Soap," has died. She was 64. McWilliams died Feb. 11 at her home in Los Angeles from complications of multiple myeloma, her family said. Caroline Margaret McWilliams was born April 4, 1945, in Seattle but grew up in Barrington, R.I. She graduated in 1966 with a bachelor's degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Her first break on television was on "Guiding Light," a longtime CBS soap opera in which she appeared for several years beginning in 1969. While in New York, she also started to build her stage career. McWilliams' credits included "Boccaccio," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "The Rothschilds," along with productions for the New York Shakespeare Festival and the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Conn. She also appeared on the soap opera "Another World" in 1975. In 1978 and '79, she played Sally on the ABC comedy "Soap," and from 1979 to '81 played Marcy Hill on the series “Benson,” a spinoff from "Soap" starring Robert Guillaume. Other TV appearances included starring in the 1989 series "Nearly Departed" with Eric Idle, "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Judging Amy." Her movie roles included "Mermaids" in 1990. McWilliams' sister Kelly-Jo Dvareckas said she "really felt she hit her stride when she started to direct." McWilliams' credits as a director included the plays "Divorcons (Let's Get a Divorce)," "You Haven't Changed a Bit and Other Lies" and "The Smoke and Ice Follies." In addition to her sister, McWilliams is survived by her son, Sean Douglas, and sisters Norma Liedtke and Patti McWilliams. She was divorced from actor Michael Keaton. Attached Images
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02-19-2010, 03:03 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	NO!! That is so sad - I loved her!! My thoughts and prayers go out to her son and the rest of her loved ones.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

02-19-2010, 03:26 AM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Caroline Mcwilliams. I always thought Benson was a better show with Caroline than without her. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

02-19-2010, 03:07 PM	#4
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	I did not need to see this first thing this morning, the day after my birthday. I wonder what the cause of death was, as nothing is specified. (EDIT: Actually, now that I reread it, it does mention that you can donate to a myeloma fund. Myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells. Maybe that's the cause of death, but it also could be just a cause she fought for.) Only 64 years old. She'll always be Marcy Hill to me. , Sweet Caroline.
	__________________ HEY, SONY: Thank you for Benson, Season 2! Now can we get started on Season 3 plans? Last edited by BensonFan; 02-19-2010 at 05:51 PM.

02-19-2010, 03:23 PM	#5
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Wow - this one is surprising. I hadn't heard anything on this. Sounds like her death was expected by family and friends - cancer perhaps? So sad, although it sounds like she lived a fun, full life. RIP
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

02-19-2010, 05:25 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	The obit says she did benefits for ALS - I wonder if that's what happened to her. If so - I can relate a bit. That's what my grandfather died of.

02-19-2010, 06:20 PM	#8
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	This is so sad. Caroline was such a great actress on Benson. I was sorry to see her leave. Whenever I think about her, I remember the way she was then...so young and alive. This is just another reminder that nobody lives forever. I think the last time I saw her was when she was on 90210. She still looked great then. R.I.P. Caroline.
	__________________ Sonny

02-19-2010, 08:07 PM	#9
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,884	what does Als stand for
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02-20-2010, 01:18 AM	#13
340wedge Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 09, 2008 Location: New York Posts: 83	Was terribly saddened to hear this, my Uncle passed away from ALS and it is a horrible thing. It does remind us that life is not forever ,but she left behind a great body of work and I'll watch Benson and the characters will always be young and alive, as I'll always remember them. RIP Marcy.

02-20-2010, 04:48 AM	#14
~Claytonsbabe~ ...I just luv' him! ♥ Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 12, 2009 Location: Germany...and everywhere where he's not. Posts: 46	That is so sad! I have no words... She was so beautiful! I'll deeply miss her. Good bye, Marcy! ♥♥♥

02-20-2010, 12:54 PM	#15
TV_Fan Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 15, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 876	RIP Caroline. You will be missed.