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Constance McCashin

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Constance McCashin
Born (1947-06-18) June 18, 1947 (age 77)
OccupationActress
Years active1976–1999
Spouse
(m. 1978)
Children2

Constance McCashin (born June 18, 1947) is an American psychotherapist and former actress, best known for her role as Laura Avery Sumner in the CBS prime time soap opera, Knots Landing.

Early life and career

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McCashin was born in Chicago. She is best known for her role as Laura Avery Sumner on the prime time drama Knots Landing, which she played from the show's debut in 1979 until 1987 when the character died of a brain tumor and her funeral was the basis of the show's 200th episode.[1] McCashin's character was written-out of the show due to cost-cutting measures along with fellow actress Julie Harris.[2] McCashin explained to The Boston Globe in 2009 stating, "I was very hurt the way I was let go for financial reasons. I wish they'd handled my demise better".[3]

During her career, McCashin starred in a number of made for television movies. She appeared in several episodes of the CBS sitcom Brooklyn Bridge playing the role of Rosemary Monahan. She was a contestant on the Dick Clark-hosted $25,000 Pyramid and would later appear as a panelist on Super Password. She also competed with the CBS team during a 1984 edition of Battle of the Network Stars. She made her final screen appearance playing supporting role in the 1999 comedy film The Out-of-Towners.

McCashin appeared at the TV Land awards in April 2009 for the 30th anniversary celebration of Knots Landing. Other Knots Landing actors who appeared with her included Kevin Dobson, Lisa Hartman Black, Michele Lee, Donna Mills, Don Murray, Michelle Phillips, Ted Shackelford, and Joan Van Ark.

New career

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After her Hollywood career, McCashin became a social worker and therapist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and body image issues.

Personal life

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McCashin lives in West Newton, Massachusetts with her husband, producer Sam Weisman. They have two children: Marguerite Weisman, an editorial assistant at HarperCollins; and Daniel Weisman,[4] who as an infant played McCashin's character's baby on Knots Landing,[5] and is now a vice president in private wealth at AllianceBernstein but worked as a music manager for 15 years managing Capital Cities, Wale, Mike Posner and Big Sean.[6]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1976 First Ladies Diaries: Edith Wilson Altrude Television film
1978 Special Olympics Trina Cunningham Television film
1978 The Many Loves of Arthur Karen Television film
1978 Daddy, I Don't Like It Like This Marge Television film
1978 Family Ms. Massey 1 episode
1978 Who's Watching the Kids Sybil 1 episode
1979 Married: The First Year Cheryl Huffman
1979 The Two Worlds of Jennie Logan Beverly Television film
1983 Hotel Allison Brunell 1 episode
1984 Love Thy Neighbor Sally Loeb Television film
1984 Obsessive Love Jackie Stevens Television film
1985 Love on the Run Elizabeth Nellison Television film
1979-1987 Knots Landing Laura Avery Sumner Series regular, 198 episodes
TV Land Award - Anniversary Award (2009)
Nominated - Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role on a Prime Time Serial (1986)
1988 The Child Saver Beverly McCumber Television film
1988 Family Ties Evelyn Mitchum 1 episode
1988 Nightmare at Bittercreek Connie Senia Television film
1990 Naked Tango Flora
1991-1993 Brooklyn Bridge Rosemary Monahan 6 episodes
1994 D2: The Mighty Ducks Shopkeeper uncredited
1995 In the Heat of the Night Pauline Given Ryan 1 episode
1999 The Out-of-Towners Mrs. Wellstone

References

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  1. ^ Brooks, Tim (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present (Ninth ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. p. 744. ISBN 978-0-3074-8320-1. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  2. ^ "As promised, I've been snoopin'..." TV Guide. December 9, 2005. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  3. ^ Shanahan, Mark; Rhone, Paysha (March 19, 2009). "A 'Knots' Reunion". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  4. ^ Mallozzi, Vincent M. (February 3, 2017). "Elizabeth Zuckerman and Daniel Weisman: Leaving Neverland". The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  5. ^ Bricker, Rebecca (April 18, 1983). "Take One". People. 19 (15). Retrieved 2021-11-12. The most Pampered actor on Knots Landing is 11-month-old Daniel Weisman, who plays the son of Laura Avery, a/k/a Constance McCashin, Daniel's real-life mom. An eight-month veteran of the show, Daniel commands $133 a day.
  6. ^ "Sit Down for Lunch with Elitaste Founder & Director of Music Marketing at Skullcandy, Daniel Weisman, in Los Angeles". Charitybuzz. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
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