Actress, Author. A working actress from the age of three, she married the legendary character actor Jack Gilford in 1949 and they remained a vital force in the New York theatre scene until his death in 1990. Like many actors of post-World War II era, both were heavily involved in left-wing politics. She and her husband were blacklisted after director-choreographer Jerome Robbins accused them of being Communist sympathizers during the McCarthy hearings. Banned from film and television, she was able to continue working in the theatre as a producer and casting agent. She eventually resumed her acting career, but the blacklist had done irreparable damage and she was limited to minor character parts in such movies as "Save the Tiger" (1973), "Lianna" (1983), and "Cocoon: The Return" (1988). In the mid-1990s she had a recurring role as a judge on TV's "Law & Order". Her career noticeably picked up steam shortly before her death, with appearances in 2007's "The Savages" and 2008's "Sex and the City" movie. She also co-authored the best-selling memoir "170 Years in Show Business," which chronicled the careers of her husband and his close friend and fellow actor, Zero Mostel. She is buried next to her husband.
Actress, Author. A working actress from the age of three, she married the legendary character actor Jack Gilford in 1949 and they remained a vital force in the New York theatre scene until his death in 1990. Like many actors of post-World War II era, both were heavily involved in left-wing politics. She and her husband were blacklisted after director-choreographer Jerome Robbins accused them of being Communist sympathizers during the McCarthy hearings. Banned from film and television, she was able to continue working in the theatre as a producer and casting agent. She eventually resumed her acting career, but the blacklist had done irreparable damage and she was limited to minor character parts in such movies as "Save the Tiger" (1973), "Lianna" (1983), and "Cocoon: The Return" (1988). In the mid-1990s she had a recurring role as a judge on TV's "Law & Order". Her career noticeably picked up steam shortly before her death, with appearances in 2007's "The Savages" and 2008's "Sex and the City" movie. She also co-authored the best-selling memoir "170 Years in Show Business," which chronicled the careers of her husband and his close friend and fellow actor, Zero Mostel. She is buried next to her husband.
Bio by: Miracle Mile Tim
Inscription
GELLMAN
MADELINE LEE GILFORD
BELOVED WIFE, MOTHER
GRANDMOTHER, ACTOR
MAY 30, 1923 - APRIL 15, 2008
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Gilford or Lederman memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
