Actress. Born Marian Ethel Mercer, she took singing lessons at the age of eight and had a starring role in a high school production of “Annie Get Your Gun” before attending the University of Michigan. She gained experience in summer stock plays and following her moving to New York in 1957, she modeled (as well as other occupations), before landing a minor part in the Broadway musical “Greenwillow” (1960). She garnered success in the off-Broadway play “….And in This Corner” (1964) and was recipient of the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical with “Promises, Promises” (1968 to 1972) opposite Jerry Orbach. In 1969, Mercer made her film debut in the picture “John and Mary”, and would go on to have several featured roles on TV, notably the series “The Sandy Duncan Show” (1972, as Kay Fox), “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” (1976, as Wanda Jeeter) and “Making a Living” (1980 to 1989, as Nancy Beebe). She retired from acting during the early 2000s. She died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. (bio by: C.S.)