Gretchen Wyler | |
|---|---|
 Wyler in 1977 | |
| Born | Gretchen Patricia Wienecke (1932-02-16)February 16, 1932 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | May 27, 2007(2007-05-27) (aged 75) Camarillo, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actress &Dancer |
| Years active | 1950–2002 |
| Spouse | |
Gretchen Wyler (bornGretchen Patricia Wienecke; February 16, 1932 – May 27, 2007) was anAmerican actress and dancer. She was also ananimal rights advocate and founder of theGenesis Awards for animal protection.[1]
Wyler was bornGretchen Patricia Wienecke inOklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Peggy (née Highley) and Louis Gustave Wienecke, a petroleum engineer.[2] She was raised inBartlesville, Oklahoma and opened her own dancing school there before going toNew York City to pursue a career as a professional actress and dancer.
She appeared on Broadway in six original productions:[3]
She also appeared at the 1964 World's Fair alternating withChita Rivera inWonder World. TheMichael Kidd/Jule Styne extravaganza played at the outdoor amphitheater. Eventually she went west toHollywood to pursue movie stardom, which eluded her, but did co-star in the sitcomOn Our Own (1977-1978) and appeared on many television programs, ranging fromThe Phil Silvers Show (akaSergeant Bilko) toNaked City toSomerset,Diagnosis: Unknown,Charlie's Angels,Dallas,St. Elsewhere,Remington Steele,Falcon Crest,Santa Barbara,Punky Brewster,MacGyver,Who's the Boss,Designing Women,Friends, andJudging Amy. She made a number of appearances as a panelist on the game showTo Tell the Truth; her last television appearance was onChicken Soup for the Soul.[4]
She appeared inRick McKay's 2004 award-winning feature documentary,Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There, in which she recounted her "aggressive" nature and an almostEve Harrington-esque ambition, when she recalled trying on the star (Yvonne Adair)'s outfits when she was merely second understudy in the pre-Broadway touring production ofSilk Stockings. When Adair collapsed in the middle of a show one night, and the first understudy (Sherry O'Neil) had surreptitiously gone toNew York City to audition for another play (which Wyler knew), Wyler stepped in, and played the role when the show arrived onBroadway. Wyler had already filmed her appearance in McKay's sequel,Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (2008) before she died.[citation needed]
In 1966, Wyler began to work foranimal rights causes after visiting a dilapidated dog shelter in Warwick, N.Y.[5] In 1971, she became the first female to serve on the board of theAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) but later fell out with the board.[6] She filed a lawsuit against the board of ASPCA which was settled out of court.[7]
Wyler opposedanimal testing and argued that "animals should have the right to run if they have legs, swim if they have fins and fly if they have wings".[6] Wyler became avegetarian in 1969 for ethical reasons.[8] She was featured on the front cover ofThe British Vegetarian magazine, published by theVegetarian Society.[9]
In 1986, she was Vice Chairperson of The Fund for Animals.[10] In 1991, she founded The Ark Trust, presenter of the annualGenesis Awards for animal protection; this event is now a program of TheHumane Society of the United States. In 2005, Wyler was inducted into the U.S.Animal Rights Hall of Fame for her dedicated career in animal advocacy.[11] In 2007, the first Gretchen Wyler Award was given toPaul McCartney.[12]
Wyler died on May 27, 2007, aged 75, from complications ofbreast cancer.[13]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | The Devil's Brigade | The Lady of Joy | |
| 1980 | Private Benjamin | Aunt Kissy | |
| 1991 | The Marrying Man | Gwen |
Of course, you must occasionally 'detour' and focus on things like the Silver Spring monkeys since there are many state actions on federal matters.
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