Virginia Vestoff

Virginia Vestoff (December 9, 1939 – May 2, 1982) was an American actress and singer who appeared in film, television and on the stage. A native of New York City, she made her professional debut at the North Jersey Playhouse in 1958. She made her Broadway debut two years later in the musical revue From A to Z and performed frequently in both Broadway and Off-Broadway production in Manhattan during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1969 she was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as Abigail Adams in the original production of the musical 1776; a part she later reprised in the 1972 film adaption of that show. On television she was a main cast member of several daytime dramas, including the roles of Dr. Althea Davis in The Doctors (1969-1970) and Samantha Drew Collins in Dark Shadows (1970-1971). She also portrayed Mrs. Frimple in the first season of PBS's 3-2-1 Contact (1980). She died from cancer in 1982 at the age of 42.