Albert Lea High School Alumni
Albert Lea, Minnesota (MN)
Marion Ross
Actress (Happy Days); the town's civic theater was renamed the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center
What is Marion Ross known for?
Marion Ross, born Marian Ellen Ross on October 25, 1928, in Watertown, Minnesota, is a renowned American actress best known for her role as Marion Cunningham on the ABC television sitcom Happy Days. Ross's performance on the show from 1974 to 1984 earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
Ross made a significant impact in the film industry before her success on Happy Days. Her notable film appearances include The Glenn Miller Story (1954), Sabrina (1954), Lust for Life (1956), and Operation Petticoat (1959) among others.
Her talent didn't limit her to film and sitcom roles only. She was twice nominated in 1992 and 1993 for the Primetime Emmy Award for her performance on the CBS television comedy-drama Brooklyn Bridge. Later in 1999, her two-episode appearance on the popular CBS drama Touched by an Angel made her earn another Emmy nomination. Additionally, Ross starred in the highly anticipated sequel to Terms of Endearment, The Evening Star (1996), for which she was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Marion Ross was born and raised in Minnesota and eventually moved to Albert Lea. At the age of 13, she changed the spelling of her name to look better on a marquee. After her sophomore year in high school, she moved to Minneapolis for studying drama and attending high school. Her family later moved to San Diego, California where she completed her high school from Point Loma High School and received her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University. Ross is a notable alumna of Albert Lea High School in Albert Lea, Minnesota, where a town's civic theater was renamed in her honor as the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.
Since the 1990s, Ross has been known for her voice-over work on animated television series like King of the Hill and SpongeBob SquarePants, among others. She also had recurring roles on popular shows like The Drew Carey Show, Gilmore Girls, and Brothers & Sisters, showcasing her versatility and enduring appeal.