STARS REMEMBER MARJ DUSAY

Marj Dusay, beloved for her work on CAPITOL (ex-Myrna), SANTA BARBARA (exPamela), GUIDING LIGHT (ex-Alexandra) and ALL MY CHILDREN (ex-Vanessa), and who pinch-hit for Louise Sorel on DAYS as Vivian from 1992-93, passed away on January 28 at the age of 83.

Her stepdaughter, Elizabeth Perine, confirmed the news on the actress’s Facebook fan page, writing, “I’m so very sad to have to tell you that my stepmother Marj passed away peacefully yesterday morning in her sleep. She was quite a woman and had quite a grand life. She was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.”

Born Marjorie Mahoney in Russell, KS, Dusay began her acting career in commercials in New York City after moving east for her then-husband’s medical internship. After they divorced, she moved to L.A. in 1966, where she worked steadily (including memorable roles on STAR TREK and THE FACTS OF LIFE) while raising her two children, Debra and the late Randall.

“Marj was my first example of a ‘grande dame’ of daytime television,” says Jess Walton (Jill, Y&R), who worked opposite Dusay during her time as Kelly on CAPITOL. “Her character was elegant, dignified, smart and gorgeous. And she was the same in real life. A gracious and kind lady and I loved her.”