Marcia Karen Wallace (November , â€" October , ) was an American
actress and comedian, primarily known for her roles in television
situation comedies. She is best known for her roles as receptionist
Carol Kester on the s sitcom The Bob Newhart Show and as the voice of
elementary school teacher Edna Krabappel on the animated series The
Simpsons, for which she won an Emmy in . The character was retired
after her death.Wallace was known for her tall frame, red hair, and
distinctive laugh. She had a career spanning five decades on TV, film,
and stage. She was a frequent guest on The Merv Griffin Show, which
led to her receiving a personal request to appear on The Bob Newhart
Show in a role created especially for her. Diagnosed with breast
cancer in , she became a cancer activist, and remained so throughout
her life.Wallace was born in Creston, Iowa, on November , , the eldest
of three children of Arthur "Poke" Wallace and wife Joann. Her father
owned and operated Wallace Sundries, a general merchandise store,
where Marcia, her sister Sharon, and brother Jim would often help.
While in high school, a teacher encouraged Wallace to consider a
career in acting after she did well in a school play. Following
graduation from Creston High School, Wallace attended Parsons College
in Fairfield, Iowa, which had offered her a full scholarship. She was
a member of the Delta Nu chapter of Delta Zeta sorority. At Parsons,
she majored in English and Theater, performing in Brigadoon and The
Music Man.
actress and comedian, primarily known for her roles in television
situation comedies. She is best known for her roles as receptionist
Carol Kester on the s sitcom The Bob Newhart Show and as the voice of
elementary school teacher Edna Krabappel on the animated series The
Simpsons, for which she won an Emmy in . The character was retired
after her death.Wallace was known for her tall frame, red hair, and
distinctive laugh. She had a career spanning five decades on TV, film,
and stage. She was a frequent guest on The Merv Griffin Show, which
led to her receiving a personal request to appear on The Bob Newhart
Show in a role created especially for her. Diagnosed with breast
cancer in , she became a cancer activist, and remained so throughout
her life.Wallace was born in Creston, Iowa, on November , , the eldest
of three children of Arthur "Poke" Wallace and wife Joann. Her father
owned and operated Wallace Sundries, a general merchandise store,
where Marcia, her sister Sharon, and brother Jim would often help.
While in high school, a teacher encouraged Wallace to consider a
career in acting after she did well in a school play. Following
graduation from Creston High School, Wallace attended Parsons College
in Fairfield, Iowa, which had offered her a full scholarship. She was
a member of the Delta Nu chapter of Delta Zeta sorority. At Parsons,
she majored in English and Theater, performing in Brigadoon and The
Music Man.
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