Estelle Parsons

Barbratimeless
A Personal Retrospective on the Career of Barbra Streisand

[Barbra, Live] [Past Features] [Streisand History] [Reviews] [Where Are They Now?] [Home]

Where Are They Now?: Estelle Parsons

Helen in "For Pete's Sake"
One of the most noted of actresses ever to appear on screen with Barbra Streisand was the legendary Estelle Parsons. In 1974, Parsons was cast as the villainous sister in-law of Barbra's Henrietta in the comedy, For Pete's Sake.

Estelle Parsons Estelle Parsons began her career in the '50s as an on-air personality during the early days of "The Today Show." Since then, her career skyrocketed with appearances in countless films over the years. She won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress for her role as Blanche Barrow in the film Bonnie and Clyde, and captured another nomination the following year for Rachel, Rachel. She has been a regular on several popular television sitcoms. A recurring role on Roseanne was one of her more recent.

One of the many highlights in the career of Estelle Parsons was her portrayal of the caustic schoolmarm in the 1982 Broadway production of Miss Margarida's Way. Though the role came late in her career, it was considered a breakout theatrical performance and won rave reviews up and down Broadway.

Parsons announced her retirement from stage performances with the conclusion of the 2002 Broadway run of Mornings at Seven, but still appears in film. Estelle Parsons serves as an Artistic Director of The Actors Studio. In 2005, she was inducted into the Broadway Theatre Hall of Fame.