Rae Allen, the Tony Award-winning actress best known for roles in Damn Yankees, A League of Their Own and The Sopranos, died peacefully in her sleep early Wednesday morning. She was 95.
Allen was described as “a force of nature” by many who knew her, and she had a career to rival hers.
Born Rae Julia Theresa Abruzzo in Brooklyn, NY, she began acting in Broadway theater productions after graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1947.
Allen received her first Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Play in 1955 as inquisitive reporter Gloria in Damn Yankees. In 1967 she was nominated again for Traveler Without Luggage and won the Tony for Best Actress in a Play for And Miss Reardon, A Little Drink in 1971.
Allen transitioned to television and film in 1958, reprising her stage role in the film adaptation of Damn Yankees. Her song “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo” is still played at Yankees games to this day.
She appeared in 1960s television magazines such as The Untouchables, Car 54, Where Are You? and the Patty Duke Show. She famously played Edith Bunker’s cousin Amelia in All in the Family.
In the ’80s, Allen had a run on Soap – in which she played judge Betty Small – along with guest appearances on The Greatest American Hero, Lou Grant, Remington Steele and Hill Street Blues.
The actress played Mrs. Sokol on Seinfeld before being cast as Aunt Quintina Blundetto on The Sopranos.
In the early 2000s, Allen landed roles on Grey’s Anatomy, Joan of Arcadia and NYPD Blue. On the big screen, she has appeared in films such as Reign Over Me, Stargate, A League of Their Own and Where’s Poppa?
She is survived by her nieces Laura and Betty Cosgrove; and her adoptive family, friends April Webster and Lisa Ann Gold.
Memorial services are planned, one for each coast. Times and dates will be announced.