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| April, 2005 |
| Debralee Scott of "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" and Police Academy, dies at 52 (article added April 10, 2005, courtesy the Associated Press) AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. - Actress Debralee Scott, who starred in television sitcoms such as "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," the Police Academy film series and who was a frequent face on the late 1970's game show circuit, has died, her family said. She was 52. Scott died April 5 at her home in Amelia Island of natural causes, said her sister, Jeri Scott, a talent manager in Beverly Hills. Scott, who celebrated her birthday on April 2, came from a family of show business insiders. Her eldest sister, Scott Bushnell, produced many of director Robert Altman's films. Middle sister Jeri Scott is an agent turned manager. The two older Scotts came out to San Francisco from their home town of Elizabeth, N.J., as young adults. A few years later, their father said their younger sister Debralee was "getting restless" and he asked if she could join them, Jeri Scott recalled Friday. "She was 16. She was supposed to finish high school, but I doubt she showed up," Scott said. "It was the '70's in San Francisco. It was wear a flower in your hair." Scott eventually met an agent in Los Angeles, and got her first major role on "Mary Hartman" at age 22. She had earlier played the role of Hotsy Totsy on the show "Welcome Back Kotter." She had been engaged to John Dennis Levi, a police officer with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey who was killed in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Scott had just moved to north Florida to be with her older sister. Funeral plans were pending. Below are comments and memories from members of the Yahoo Groups "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" list: Temperance Blalock (Former Webmaster of The "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" Website: I'm truly sad to hear of Debralee Scott's passing, especially at such a young age. She contributed in large part to the integrity of "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," by always giving a good performance. She was able to balance many different aspects in her portrayal of Cathy Shumway: sexuality along with naivete, quite adept at comedy along with the ability to play dramatic depth when appropriate. Louise Lasser and Mary Kay Place got the lion's share of the female attention of the press and the fans, but Debralee was equally responsible for the fundamental succcess of the show. I'm sorry that I missed seeing several of her storylines, including the one where she bore the surrogate baby (that must have been quite funny and sweet/sad). I'm also sorry that Debralee didn't live long enough to see "MHMH" revitalized by being re-broadcast in its entirety on TV, or released on DVD. I hope that no more "MHMH" alumni will pass away before that happens. I will remember you fondly, Debralee Scott. I looked through some of the "MHMH" data I collected, when I had my "MHMH" website, and found something about Debralee Scott. This is a publicity biography, part of the package of material that Al Burton was so kind to send me to help me with the website. DEBRALEE SCOTT as Cathy Shumway, Mary Hartman's boy-crazy younger sister. Young, vibrant comedienne Debralee Scott, a relative newcomer to show business whose high school drama teacher once told her she would never be a Hollywood actress, has amassed an impressive number of motion picture and television credits during her short professional career. Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the freckle-faced Debralee solidified her interest in an acting career while spending a summer visiting her sister in San Francisco. She spent most of that summer attending the American Conservatory Theatre and a year later was back in San Francisco completing her senior year in high school and working as an extra in films. While living in San Francisco, Debralee landed small roles in such features films as American Graffiti, The Candidate, Dirty Harry, and Superdad. It was during Superdad that she made friends who helped arrange her first audition in Hollywood and from that she got a starring role in Hallmark Hall of Fame's television special Lisa, Bright and Dark. This began what was to be a pattern of good luck and superb timing. She relocated to Hollywood and her career began to flourish. Since that time she has appeared in numerous television films, including a starring role in Summer Without Boys, and in the television version of Earthquake. She has had a guest-starring role in "Movin' On," was a regular on "Sons and Daughters," and had the regular recurring role as the kittenish Hotsie-Totsie on "Welcome Back, Kotter." She also added Our Time, Crazy World of Julius Vrooder, and The Reincarnation of Peter Proud to her motion picture credits. Auburn-haired Debralee has kissed Paul Newman, danced with Fred Astaire, and screen-tested for Robert Altman. She hopes someday to work in musical comedies and to develop her own stand-up comedy nighclub act. But, right now, all her energies are devoted to making "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" a very special television series. Mike Warden (Webmaster of Fernwood Central): I'm shocked and saddened by Debralee Scott's passing. I'll fondly remember her Cathy Shumway fondly; a sassy waif forever searching for her an identity in the swirling '70's. Cathy was gutsy and not afraid to make mistakes. Her "Welcome Back Kotter" performances were memorable, too. Always brought a bright moment to the show. MWW Claudia Lamb (Actress and Debralee Scott and Mary Kay Place co-star from "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman"): And thank you, Debralee, for always sticking up for the kid, and for giving me that green satin jacket when I became a teenager. Rest easy. Claudia Chris Wilson (Webmaster of The Mary Kay Place Place): I appreciate all of the comments I've read here, and I have to share a vaguely surreal thing from "Match Game." Gene Rayburn said something about how he and Debralee liked to go roller skating together. Given their differences in ages and Gene's wardrobe as a game show host, we thought that sort of bizarre and fun. Like politics, show business must breed strange bedfellows (and I don't use that word literally). With Graham Jarvis's passing a few years ago, and now Debralee's, I am so thankful for the Museum of Television and Radio's "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Reunion, Reunion" in June, 2000. Having their memories and insights (along with other principal cast and creators) was priceless. I am so thankful that they were both able to participate, and they all seemed to really enjoy the evening. I think that we should pay homage to Cathy Shumway for ensuring that the nation knew that Mary Hartman did in fact have waxy yellow buildup. This was truly a landmark moment in American television, and Debralee Scott was a vital participant. CW |
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