Hollywood Actress Mariclare Costello Passes Away at 90
Hollywood actress Mariclare Costello has passed away at the age of 90. She died on the morning of April 17 in Brooklyn, New York, as reported by the Peoria Journal Star. Her death marks the end of a long and successful career in television and film.
Costello was best known for her role on the family TV show The Waltons, where she played Rosemary Hunter Fordwick from 1972 to 1977. This role helped establish her as a beloved figure in American television. She continued to build her acting career with appearances in several other shows, including The Fitzpatricks in 1977, where she portrayed the matriarch Maggie Fitzpatrick alongside Helen Hunt and Jimmy McNichol.
In addition to her television work, Costello appeared in a number of films. In 1974, she starred in After The Fall alongside Faye Dunaway and Christopher Plummer. Later, in 1993, she appeared in Indecent Proposal with Demi Moore and Robert Redford.
Her legacy is remembered not only for her acting but also for her personal qualities. Her family described her as having a rare gift, noting that she knew how to help people move beyond their own thoughts and focus on tasks, thereby unlocking their creative potential. They also highlighted her talent for cooking, her love for rescuing stray animals, and her ability to decorate homes beautifully.
“She was also, in every dimension of her life, someone who paid attention,” her family wrote in an obituary. “She could talk to anyone, was interested in everything, and was a relentless asker of questions.”
Costello is survived by her daughter Arin and her partner, Ethan; granddaughter Bird; stepdaughters Amy and Doon; and several nieces and a nephew. A funeral service will be held in New York City, with plans for burial and remembrance in Peoria.
Early Career and Notable Roles
Costello’s first role came in 1967 with the film The Tiger Makes Out. She later appeared in television series such as NYPD, Pound, and Storefront Lawyers. In 1971, she had a memorable role as Emily and Abigail in Let’s Scare Jessica To Death.
She made appearances on several other TV shows, including Kojak, Barnaby Jones, Harry O, The Incredible Hulk, and Lou Grant. In 1980, she appeared in the award-winning film Ordinary People as Audrey Butler. That same year, she played Helen Crane on The Little House On The Prairie.
In 1982, she had a notable role as Anita Boyer in the Hart To Hart episode Deep In The Hart Of Dixieland, co-starring with Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers. During the 1990s, she appeared on Santa Barbara, Chicago Hope, and Judging Amy.
Her last TV acting role was as Helen Norris on Providence in 2002. Throughout her career, she left a lasting impact on both the entertainment industry and those who knew her personally.
