Sarah Cunningham, an actress known for her roles on Trapper John, M.D. and Dallas, died on March 24, 1986, after she collapsed at the Oscars. She was 67.
Cunningham suffered a fatal asthmatic attack while attending the Academy Awards in Los Angeles, according to her New York Times obituary.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Cunningham collapsed at the Oscars and was rushed to nearby Queen of Angels Hospital, where she died an hour later. Her memorial service was held at the Ensemble Studio Theatre in Hollywood.
Born in Greenville, South Carolina, in September 1918, Cunningham moved to New York after graduating from Furman University. She studied acting with Stella Adler and eventually taught other students too. At Adler’s acting classes, Cunningham met John Randolph, whom she married in 1942.
Along with Randolph, Cunningham was a founding member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York City in 1968. The pair often starred in its stage productions together. At the time of her death, Cunningham was serving as the board chairman of the Los Angeles company, which was formed in 1980.
Cunningham also acted in Broadway productions of The Visit, Fair Game and Toys in the Attic.
Outside of the theater world, Cunningham was known for her television credits. She notably appeared as Nurse Andrews on 30 episodes of the CBS medical drama Trapper John, M.D. during seasons 4 through 7, which aired from 1982 to 1986. (The M*A*S*H spinoff starring Pernell Roberts as the titular doctor ran for seven seasons from 1979 to 1986.)
On the CBS primetime soap opera Dallas, Cunningham had a recurring role as Aunt Maggie Monahan, the sister of Digger Barnes (portrayed by David Wayne, Keenan Wynn and David Marshall Grant throughout the show’s run). She appeared in five episodes, guest-starring during season 2 in 1978, season 3 in 1980 and season 8 in 1984. (Dallas, starring Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal and more, aired for 14 seasons from 1978 to 1991.)
Throughout her career in television, Cunningham also appeared on episodes of The Wild World of Mystery, Baretta, The Rookies, Starsky and Hutch, Police Woman, How the West Was Won and Vegas.
Cunningham’s film credits included 1972’s The Cowboys, 1977’s I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, 1982’s Frances and 1985’s Jagged Edge.
Cunningham was survived by her husband and their two children: daughter Martha and son Harrison.
The 1986 Academy Awards were hosted by Alan Alda, Jane Fonda and Robin Williams at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. Out of Africa won the most awards at the ceremony, with seven trophies including Best Picture. Other notable winners at the 58th Oscars were William Hurt for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Geraldine Page for Best Actress in a Leading Role for The Trip to Bountiful, Don Ameche for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Cocoon and Anjelica Huston for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Prizzi’s Honor.
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