Ellen Dolan (born October 16, 1955 in Monticello, Iowa, USA) is an American actress.

Early life and career

Dolan earned her B.A. and M.F.A. degrees in theater from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. While working toward her bachelor's degree, she spent a summer studying dramatic arts at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Dolan is best known for two daytime soap opera roles. She originated the role of Maureen Reardon Bauer on Guiding Light, and played the role from 1982 to 1986. She replaced Hillary Bailey Smith in late 1989 as Margo Hughes on As the World Turns. Dolan played Margo until 1993, when she moved to California to pursue nighttime television work.

Dolan returned to As the World Turns in 1994 and played Margo until the show ended in 2010.

In 1992, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress.

Her additional television credits include the made-for-television movies Mother's Day, Mothers, Daughters and Lovers with Helen Shaver and Claude Akins, and Dancing with Danger, with Cheryl Ladd and Ed Marinaro.

Theatre

Her stage career began in 1980 at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater with roles such as Katrin in Mother Courage. Her subsequent roles in numerous regional productions have included Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Virginia Stage Company, Mary in How the Other Half Loves at the Pennsylvania Stage Company, and Clelia in The Nerd at the Capitol Repertory in Albany, NY. She also started a theater company in New York called The Studio Three Group. She joined a repertory group called the WorkShop Theater Company in 2004 and has had leading roles in several mainstage productions there.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2012Molly's GirlGingerFeature film
2013After LifeLynnFeature film
2014A Place For HeroesLillianFeature film
2015The SouthsideJoanieFeature film
2016A Timeless LoveCharlieFeature film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1982-1986Guiding LightMaureen Reardon Bauer #1Daytime serial (contract role)
1987Leg WorkNinaEpisode: "Life Itself"
1989Another WorldDistrict Attorney Morgan GravesEpisode: #6271
Mother's Day a/k/a Lethal ErrorLucilleTV movie (aired on Christian Broadcasting Network Family Channel)
Mothers Daughters and LoversEricaTV movie (aired on NBC)
12/1989 - 1/1993; 6/1994 - 9/2010As The World TurnsMargo Montgomery Hughes #3Daytime serial (contract role) For Daytime Emmy info, see Awards and nominations section below for details
1993Angel FallsLola FayeEpisode: "Only the Lonely"
CBS Schoolbreak SpecialJanet DeeversEpisode: "If I Die Before I Wake"
1994Walker, Texas RangerTrish KingstonEpisode: "Something in the Shadows"
Episode: "Something in the Shadows: Part 2"
Dancing With DangerWendyTV movie (possible direct-to-video)
2010Law & Order: Special Victims UnitLisbeth SanderEpisode: "Beef"
2011Selling New YorkHerselfEpisode: "Smells Like a Deal"
2024 (post-production)'Them'Marge MindleyOriginal comedy series on YouTube Comedy
Key
Denotes series that have not yet been released

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
1993Daytime Emmy AwardOutstanding Lead Actress in a Drama SeriesAs the World TurnsNominated

Personal life

Dolan and businessman Doug Jeffrey had their first child, a daughter, Angela Emmett Jeffrey (born 2000).

After ATWT ended, Dolan and Jeffrey sold their New York City home, the sale of which was featured as a story on the reality TV program Selling New York.

See also

External links