Anita Morris

Trained at the American Mime Theatre, long-legged, redheaded Anita Morris learned how to use "body language" for utmost effect. After appearing as a singer/dancer/actress in such Broadway musicals as Jesus Christ Superstar, Seesaw, The Magic Show, Sugar Babies, and Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Morris brought down the house in Nine, the 1982 stage musical version of Fellini's 8 1/2. Her bawdy portrayal of the hero's mistress earned her a Tony Award nomination that year and helped to secure her stardom. Morris' TV-series credits include the roles of Babs Berrenger in Berrenger's (1985) and Barbara Whiteman in Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1987); her films include The Happy Hooker (1975), Ruthless People (1985), Bloodhounds of Broadway (1990), and Radioland Murders (1994; released posthumously). Anita Morris died of cancer in 1994, and was survived by her husband, director Grover Dale.