Louise Shaffer (born July 5, 1942) is an American actress, script writer, and author.
Louise Shaffer
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| Born | (1942-07-05) July 5, 1942 (age 82)
Woodbridge, Connecticut, U.S.
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| Education | Connecticut College (BA) Yale University (MFA) Juilliard School |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Spouses |
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Shaffer was born in Woodbridge, Connecticut, where she showed an interest in acting early on in her life. After finishing high school, she attended Connecticut College for Women, then Yale Drama School.[1] Shaffer is a coloratura soprano, and was trained at Juilliard.[2]
Throughout her life, Shaffer has appeared in numerous soap operas, including Search for Tomorrow, Hidden Faces (1968–1969), and Where the Heart Is. From 1975 to 1976, she he played split personality Serena Faraday/Josie on The Edge of Night.
From 1977 to 1984, Shaffer played journalism magnate Rae WoodardonRyan's Hope and then reprised the role for the show's finale in 1989.[3] In the summer of 1987, she was brought onto All My Children, playing Erica's evil stepmother, Goldie Kane. After several years as a script writer on various soaps, she had brief roles on Guiding Light as Lewis oil client Mrs. Humphreys (1993), and a stint as the judge in the Peter Lewis custody battle (1994).
She was nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Rae Woodard on Ryan's Hope; she won the award in 1983. In addition to her daytime roles, Shaffer also had a role on the short-lived Norman Lear serialized sitcom All That Glitters.
Shaffer began writing for soap operas instead of acting on them. Since the late 1980s, she has written for Ryan's Hope, Loving, General Hospital, and As the World Turns.
In addition to scriptwriting, Shaffer has written numerous books.[4]
Shaffer was formerly married to actor Toby Tompkins.[2] She is currently married to Roger Crews, who also wrote for Ryan's Hope and Search for Tomorrow.
| Opening date | Closing date | Title | Role | Theatre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | The Beggar's Opera | Master, New York | ||
| February 26, 1966 | February 26, 1966 | First One Asleep, | Esther | Belasco |
| September 27, 1967 | September 30, 1967 | Keep It In The Family | Understudy | Plymouth |
| July 31, 1973 | August 26, 1973 | Two Gentlemen of Verona | Julia | Delacorte |
| March 17, 1976 | March 28, 1976 | The Boss | Playwrights Horizon | |
| April 25, 1973 | June 17, 1973 | The Women | Second Hairdresser Second Model Cigarette Girl |
46th Street |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Run For Your Life | Donna Sanders | Episode: "A Very Small Injustice" |
| 1968 | Hidden Faces | Maratha Logan | |
| 1969– 1973 |
Where the Heart Is | Allison Hathaway Archer Jessup | Unknown episodes |
| 1975– 1976 |
The Edge of Night | Josie/Serena Faraday | Unknown episodes |
| 1977 | Kojak | Francie Foster | Episode: "Kojak's Day, Parts 1 and 2" |
| 1977 | All That Glitters | Andrea Martin | |
| 1977– 1989 |
Ryan's Hope | Rae Woodard | 549 episodes |
| 1980 | Quincy, M.E. | Mrs. Davenport | Episode: "Deadly Arena" |
| 1984– 1985 |
Search for Tomorrow | Stephanie Wilkins Wyatt #2 | Episodes: 1.8574 and 1.8669 |
| 1987 | Matlock | Elinor | Episode: "The Rat Pack" |
| 1987 | Police Story: The Freeway Killings | Laura Healey | |
| 1987 | All My Children | Goldie Kane | Unknown episodes |
| 1994 | Guiding Light | Judge Tillman |