Beverlee McKinsey

McKINSEY, Beverlee Died May 2nd, 2008 in Los Angeles from complications due to a kidney transplant. She was 72 years old. Ms. McKinsey was an actor best known for roles in daytime television. She created the character Iris Carrington on NBC's Another World, and played the part from 1970-1979. She also created the role of Alexandra Spaulding on CBS's Guiding Light, and performed it from 1984-1992. In 1980, NBC developed the program Texas to capitalize on the popularity of her character, Iris Carrington; and Ms. McKinsey was the first and only performer in the history of daytime drama to receive star billing. In 1998, the editors of Soap Opera Magazine voted her the best actor in the history of daytime television. TV Guide's, Michael Logan, wrote of her in 1992, "For my money, Beverlee McKinsey is the greatest actress ever to grace daytime drama." Ms. McKinsey performed the lead role of Corie on Broadway in the original production of Neil Simon's, Barefoot in the Park, where she was directed by Mike Nichols, and co-starred with Robert Redford. She also originated the role of Honey in the London production of Edward Albee's, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? She guest starred on multiple prime time television series, including The FBI, Hawaii Five-0, The Mod Squad, Mannix and The Defenders. She appeared in films for Clint Eastwood (Bronco Billy), Sidney Pollack (They Shoot Horses, Don't They?), and Mark Rydell (The Reevers). Ms. McKinsey was nominated four times in the lead actress category for a National Daytime Emmy Award. She is survived by her son, Scott, (who directed her on Guiding Light), and her grandson, Marley. No memorial service is planned.