Mary Kay Place (born September 23, 1947) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Loretta Haggers on the television series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, a role that won her the 1977 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress – Comedy Series. Her numerous film appearances include Private Benjamin (1980), The Big Chill (1983), Captain Ron (1992) and Francis Ford Coppola's 1997 drama The Rainmaker. Place also recorded three studio albums for Columbia Records, one in the Haggers persona, which included the Top Ten country music hit "Baby Boy". For her performance in Diane (2018), Place won the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress and the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress.
Early life
Place was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the daughter of Gwendolyn Lucille (née Johnson) and Bradley Eugene Place. She graduated from Nathan Hale High School and the University of Tulsa, where her father was an art professor; she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and received a speech degree.
Career
Place moved to Hollywood with aspirations of becoming an actress and writer. She was hired for The Tim Conway Comedy Hour in the 1970s as a production assistant to both Conway and producer Norman Lear. Conway gave Place her first on-camera break, while Lear saw to it that Place received her first writing credit on his subsequent All in the Family. On the episode, she and actress Patty Weaver sang "If Communism Comes Knocking on Your Door, Don't Answer It." She appeared in the third-season episode of M*A*S*H titled "Springtime", for which she also received writing credits.
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and musical career
Lear then cast her in the role of would-be country and western star Loretta Haggers on the satirical soap opera Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976–1977). She won an Emmy Award for her work as Loretta, and was nominated in 1977 for a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female for the associated music album Tonite! At the Capri Lounge Loretta Haggers. Place wrote two of the songs on Tonite!: "Vitamin L" and "Baby Boy," both of which she sang on the television series as Loretta.
Both Tonite! At the Capri Lounge Loretta Haggers and its follow up Aimin' To Please featured A-list country and pop performers from the 1970s. Dolly Parton, on whom the Loretta character was loosely based, provided backing vocals as well as the song "All I Can Do" (which Parton also wrote). Emmylou Harris, Anne Murray and Nicolette Larson sang backup as well. Lily Tomlin and Place did the pilot and 5 episodes of 12 Miles of Bad Road from Harry Thomason and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, who wrote television scripts with Place in the 1970s. HBO chose not to air the series, and producers were seeking other networks to air it.
In 2009, she served as the voice of Julie Powell's mother in the film Julie & Julia. In 2013, she appeared as Bryan's mother on The New Normal.
In 2015, Place guest starred on The Mentalist and Looking. She also starred in the comedy-drama film I'll See You in My Dreams directed by Brett Haley, opposite Blythe Danner, and The Breakup Girl directed by Stacy Sherman. She provided the voice of Anne Hathaway's mother in The Intern, directed by Nancy Meyers. Place also had a recurring role on Grace and Frankie opposite Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
In 2016, Place starred in the comedy film The Hollars directed by John Krasinski and the comedy-drama Youth in Oregon directed by Joel David Moore. Place also portrayed Maria Bamford's mother in the comedy series Lady Dynamite which was cancelled after two seasons.
In 2017, Place guest starred in an episode of the comedy series Black-ish. She also had a cameo voice appearance in Downsizing directed by Alexander Payne. Place also had a recurring role on the comedy series Imposters.
In 2018, Place starred in State Like Sleep directed by Meredith Danluck and appeared in an episode of the anthology drama The Romanoffs. That same year, she starred in the drama film Diane directed by Kent Jones, and executive produced by Martin Scorsese. The film marked Place's first lead role in a film, and was written specifically for her by Jones. The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 22, 2018. Place's performance received rave reviews from critics. The film was released on March 29, 2019, by IFC Films. Place won the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress and National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for her performance. Place received nominations for Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Actress and Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead. Place also had a recurring role on Shameless.
2020–present
In 2020, Place guest starred on the comedy-drama series AJ and the Queen, and on Fox's 9-1-1: Lone Star as Theresa Blake, the mother to Liv Tyler's character. In 2021, Place played Millie in the musical drama Music, co-written and directed by Sia. She also starred in the musical The Prom based on the Broadway musical of the same title directed by Ryan Murphy, for Netflix.
Filmography
Film
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 100%;"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1976
| Bound for Glory
| Sue Ann
|
|-
| 1977
| New York, New York
| Bernice Bennett
|
|-
|rowspan=2|1979
| More American Graffiti
| Teensa
|
|-
| Starting Over
| Marie
|
|-
| 1980
| Private Benjamin
| Pvt. Mary Lou Glass
|
|-
| 1981
| Modern Problems
| Lorraine
|
|-
| 1982
| Waltz Across Texas
| Kit Peabody
|
|-
|rowspan=2|1983
| '
| Meg Jones
|
|-
| Terms of Endearment
| Doris
|Voice
|-
|rowspan=2|1985
| Smooth Talk
| Katherine Wyatt
|
|-
| Explorers
| Mrs. Crandall
| Uncredited
|-
| rowspan=2|1988
| '
| Donna
|
|-
| Portrait of a White Marriage
| Joyce Harrison
|
|-
| 1990
| Bright Angel
| Judy
|
|-
| 1991
| Samantha
| Marilyn
|
|-
| 1992
| Captain Ron
| Katherine Harvey
|
|-
| 1994
| Teresa's Tattoo
| Nora
|
|-
|rowspan=2|1996
| Citizen Ruth
| Gail Stoney
|
|-
| Manny & Lo
| Elaine
|
|-
|rowspan=2|1997
| Eye of God
| Claire Spencer
|
|-
| '
| Dot Black
|
|-
|rowspan=3|1998
| Naturally Native
| Madame Celeste
|
|-
| How to Make the Cruelest Month
| Mary Bryant
|
|-
| Pecker
| Joyce
|
|-
|rowspan=3|1999
| Judgment Day: The Ellie Nesler Story
| Jan Martinez
|
|-
| Being John Malkovich
| Floris
|
|-
| Girl, Interrupted
| Barbara Gilcrest
|
|-
|2000
| Committed
| Psychiatrist
|
|-
|rowspan=4|2001
| My First Mister
| Patty
|
|-
| Nailed
| Fern Romano
|
|-
| Human Nature
| Mrs. Bronfman
|
|-
| '
| Helen Christianson
|
|-
| 2002
| Sweet Home Alabama
| Pearl Smooter
|
|-
| 2003
| Latter Days
| Sister Gladys Davis
|
|-
|rowspan=3|2004
| Evergreen
| Susan
|
|-
| Killer Diller
| Dr. Gwen Bradley
|
|-
| Silver City
| Grace Seymour
|
|-
|rowspan=2|2005
| Lonesome Jim
| Sally
|
|-
| Nine Lives
| Dr. Alma Wyatt
|
|-
|rowspan=3|2007
| Grace Is Gone
| Woman at Funeral
|
|-
| War Eagle, Arkansas
| Jessie
|
|-
| Mama's Boy
| Barbara
|
|-
| 2008
| City of Ember
| Mrs. Murdo
|
|-
|rowspan=3|2009
| Julie & Julia
| Mrs. Foster
|Voice
|-
| Youth in Revolt
| Mrs. Saunders
|
|-
| It's Complicated
| Joanne
|
|-
|rowspan=2|2010
| Shrek Forever After
| Guard Witch
|Voice
|-
| Leonie
| Albiana Gilmour
|
|-
| 2012
| Smashed
| Rochelle
|
|-
|rowspan=2|2013
| Bad Milo!
| Beatrice
|
|-
| You're in Charge
| Penny Guidry
|
|-
|rowspan=2|2014
| Miss Meadows
| Mrs. Davenport
|
|-
| Last Weekend
| Jeannie
|
|-
|rowspan=3|2015
| I'll See You in My Dreams
| Rona
|
|-
| '
| Joan Baker
|
|-
| The Intern
| Mrs. Ostin
|Voice
|-
|rowspan=2|2016
| '
| Pam
|
|-
| Youth in Oregon
| Estelle Engersol
|
|-
| 2017
| Downsizing
| Land's End Customer
|Voice
|-
|rowspan=2|2018
| State Like Sleep
| Elaine Grand
|
|-
| Diane
| Diane
|
|-
| 2020
| The Prom
| Grandma Bea
|
|-
| 2021
| Music
| Millie
|
|-
| 2022
| My Father's Dragon
| Narrator
| Voice
|}
Television
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 100%;"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1973
| All in the Family
| Betty Sue
| Episode: "Archie Goes Too Far"
|-
| 1974
| M*A*S*H
| Lt. Louise Simmons
| Episode: "Springtime"
|-
| 1975
| '
| Sally Jo Hotchkiss
| Episode: "Murray in Love"
|-
| 1976
| '
| Margie
| TV film
|-
| 1976–1977
| Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
| Loretta Haggers
| Main role
|-
| 1977
| Saturday Night Live
| Herself (host)
| Episode: "Mary Kay Place/Willie Nelson"
|-
| 1977–1978
| Forever Fernwood
| Loretta Haggers
| TV series
|-
| 1980
| Act of Love
| Becky Wiggins
| TV film
|-
|rowspan=2|1984
| ABC Afterschool Special
| Ellie Skinner
| Episode: "Mom's on Strike"
|-
| For Love or Money
| K.K
| TV film
|-
| 1985
| '
| Joyce Harrison
| TV film
|-
|rowspan=2|1986
| The Disney Sunday Movie
| Prissy Thrash
| Episode: "The Girl Who Spelled Freedom"
|-
| '
| Joyce Harrison
| TV film
|-
| 1989
| Out on the Edge
| Sondra Evetts
| TV film
|-
|rowspan=2|1990
| Thirtysomething
| Patsy Klein
| Episode: "Happy New Year"
|-
| Traitor in My House
| Elizabeth Van Lew
| TV film
|-
| 1991
| Crazy from the Heart
| Merrilee Playton
| TV film
|-
|rowspan=2|1992
| Bed of Lies
| Jean Daniel Murph
| TV film
|-
| Just My Imagination
| Shilda Hawk
| TV film
|-
|rowspan=2|1993
| Telling Secrets
| Shelley Jefferson Carp
| TV film
|-
| Tales of the City
| Prue Giroux
| TV miniseries
|-
| 1994
| In the Line of Duty: The Price of Vengeance
| Norma Williams
| TV film
|-
| 1994–1995
| My So-Called Life
| Camille Cherski
| Recurring role
|-
| 1995
| Chicago Hope
| Joanna Kenneally
| Episode: "Freeze Outs"
|-
|rowspan=2|1996
| My Very Best Friend
| Molly Butler
| TV film
|-
| For My Daughter's Honor
| Betty Ann Dustin
| TV film
|-
| 1997
| Love in Another Town
| Sam
| TV film
|-
| 1998
| Point Last Seen
| Coreen Davis
| TV film
|-
| 1998–2009
| King of the Hill
| Various
| Voice, 3 episodes
|-
| 2000
| '
| Nancy Tucker
| Voice, episode: "Birthday Quake"
|-
|rowspan=4|2001
| Further Tales of the City
| Prue Giroux
| TV miniseries
|-
| '
| Cecilia Piloski
| TV film
|-
| Citizen Baines
| Francesca Dunlop
| Episode: "The Appraisal"
|-
| Leap Years
| Mrs. Greenway
| Episode #1.18
|-
| 2001–2004
| '
| Surgeon General Millicent Griffith
| 3 episodes
|-
|rowspan=2|2002
| Undeclared
| Mrs. Lindquist
| Episode: "Parents' Weekend"
|-
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
| Hope Garrett
| Episode: "Vulnerable"
|-
| 2004
| '
| Naomi Prince
| Episode: "Acts of Congress"
|-
| 2005
| Jack & Bobby
| Rev. Rindhart
| Episode: "A Child of God"
|-
| 2006
| Numb3rs
| Hester Stirling
| Episode: "Protest"
|-
| 2006–2018
| Grey's Anatomy
| Olive Warner
| 3 episodes
|-
| 2006–2011
| Big Love
| Adaleen Grant
| Regular role
|-
|rowspan=2|2007
| '
| Jeanette Woodman
| 2 episodes
|-
| Saving Grace
| Dorothy Edwina Talbert
| Episode: "It's Better When I Can See You"
|-
|rowspan=2|2008
| 12 Miles of Bad Road
| C.Z. Shakespeare
| Main role
|-
| Pushing Daisies
| Annabelle Vandersloop
| Episode: "The Legend of Merle McQuoddy"
|-
| 2010
| Bored to Death
| Kathryn Joiner
| Recurring role
|-
| 2012
| '
| Dorothy
| Voice, episode: "Action Packed Heist/Fall Foliage"
|-
|rowspan=5|2013
| Suburgatory
| Gam Gam
| Episode: "Blowtox and Burlap"
|-
| Californication
| Faith's Mother
| Episode: "Blind Faith"
|-
| '
| Colleen
| 2 episodes
|-
| '
| Sarah
| TV film
|-
| Holidaze
| Elaine Gerard
| TV film
|-
| 2014
| Rake
| Judge Cunningham
| Episode: "Jury Tamperer"
|-
| 2014–2015
| Getting On
| Dr. Ann Killigrew
| Recurring role
|-
|rowspan=3|2015
| The Mentalist
| Mrs. Bittacker
| Episode: "The Whites of His Eyes"
|-
| Looking
| Sarah
| Episode: "Looking for a Plot"
|-
| Ellen More or Less
| Virginia
| TV film
|-
| 2015–2016
| Grace and Frankie
| Amanda
| 3 episodes
|-
| 2016
| Family Guy
| Farting Lady
| Voice, episode: "The Heartbreak Dog"
|-
| 2016–2017
| Lady Dynamite
| Marilyn Bamford
| Main role
|-
| 2017
| Black-ish
| Doctor Harris
| Episode: "Good Dre Hunting"
|-
| 2017–2018
| Imposters
| Marsha Bloom
| 6 episodes
|-
| 2018
| The Romanoffs
| Marilyn Hopkins
| Episode: "Expectation"
|-
| 2019–2020
| Shameless
| Aunt Oopie
| 3 episodes
|-
|rowspan=2|2020
| AJ and the Queen
| Hospital Administrator
| Episode: "Baton Rouge"
|-
| 9-1-1: Lone Star
| Theresa Blake
| Recurring role
|}
As director or writer
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 100%;"
|-
! Year
! Title
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1973
| '
| Writer, TV special
|-
| 1973–1974
| M*A*S*H
| Writer, 3 episodes
|-
|rowspan=2|1974
| Paper Moon
| Writer, episode: "Gimme That Old Time Relation"
|-
| Friends and Lovers
| Writer, episode: "The Groupie"
|-
|rowspan=2|1975
| '
| Writer, episode: "Mary's Delinquent"
|-
| Phyllis
| Writer, episode: "So Lonely I Could Cry"
|-
| 1988
| Baby Boom
| Director, episode: "Stress"
|-
| 1994
| Dream On
| Director, 2 episodes
|-
| 1995
| Friends
| Director, episode: "The One with the List"
|-
|rowspan=2|1996
| Dream On
| Director, episode: "Tenants, Anyone?"
|-
| Arliss
| Director, episode: "The Company You Keep"
|-
| 2007
| '
| Director, 2 episodes
|}
Discography
Albums
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 100%;"
|-
! Year
! Album
! <small>U.S. Country</small>
! Label
|-
| 1976
| Tonite! At the Capri Lounge Loretta Haggers
| style="text-align:center;"| 6
| Columbia
|-
| 1977
| Aimin' to Please
| style="text-align:center;"| 40
| Columbia
|-
| 2011
| Almost Grown
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| Wounded Bird/Sony
|}
Note: Both of Place's albums just missed charting on the general pop Billboard Hot 200 chart, her 1976 bubbled under in the ten runner-up slots at #202 and the 1977 at #203.
Singles
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 100%;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Single
! colspan="3"| Chart Positions
! rowspan="2"| Album
|-
! style="width:45px;"| <small>U.S. Country</small>
! style="width:45px;"| <small>U.S.</small>
! style="width:45px;"| <small>Can. Country</small>
|-
| 1976
| "Baby Boy"
| style="text-align:center;"| 3
| style="text-align:center;"| 60
| style="text-align:center;"| 6
| rowspan="2"| Tonite! At the Capri Lounge Loretta Haggers<br /><small>(credited to "Mary Kay Place as Loretta Haggers")</small>
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1977
| "Vitamin L"
| style="text-align:center;"| 72
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
| "Something to Brag About" <small>(with Willie Nelson)</small>
| style="text-align:center;"| 9
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| 15
| Aimin' to Please
|}