Bonnie Bartlett - Keeps the channel open

Bonnie Bartlett - Keeps the channel open

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First Published: April 2001
Bonnie Bartlett, Bob Odenkirk | "Better Call Saul" (2015) *

Bonnie Bartlett, Bob Odenkirk | "Better Call Saul" (2015) *

Michael Landon, Bonnie Bartlett | "Little House on the Prairie" (1974)
Bonnie Bartlett | Working Actor
Bonnie Bartlett | Working Actor
Bonnie Bartlett | Working Actor
Bonnie Bartlett | Working Actor
Bonnie Bartlett | Working Actor
Bea Arthur, Bonnie Bartlett | "Golden Girls" (1985)
William Daniels, Bonnie Bartlett | Emmy Awards (1986)
Kelly Preston, Bonnie Bartlett, Chloe Webb | "Twins" (1988)
Bonnie Bartlett, Dick O'Neill | "Home Improvement" (1991)
Tim Allen, Dick O'Neill, Bonnie Bartlett | "Home Improvement" (1991)
Bonnie Bartlett | "Stargate SG-1" (1997)
William Daniels, Bonnie Bartlett | "Boy Meets World" (1993)
Rider Strong, Ben Savage, William Daniels, Bonnie Bartlett | "Boy Meets World" (1993) **
Phyllis Applegate, Bonnie Bartlett, Carol Mansell, Jean Effron | "Better Call Saul" (2015) *

Bonny Bartlett, grew up in Illinois. Her interest in theatre came from her father, an actor turned businessman, who loved to quote Shakespeare. A straight-A student, Bonnie attended Northwestern University to study acting. There she met her future husband, Bill Daniels, also an actor (our March 2001 Profile).

Thirty odd years later, she and Daniels played husband and wife on the hit TV series "St. Elsewhere", for which they both won the coveted Emmy Award in 1986 and for which Bill won in 1985 and Bonnie again in 1987.

But before this dramatic push into the limelight, Bartlett worked for years in screen, television and on stage. Her first big break came when she won the much sought after role of "Vanessa" in the soap opera, "Love Of Life". She spent four years working on the soap and then took a ten year break from her career to raise her two sons.

On Broadway she was in William Inge's "Natural Affection" and Lanford Wilson's "Lemon Sky". Bonnie appeared in the world premier of "Lemon Sky" at Studio Arena directed by Warren Enters. Off-Broadway she has had roles in "Telmachus Clay" and at the L.A. Westwood Playhouse in Jules Feiffer's "Hold Me". In 1991 Bonnie appeared in "At Long Last Leo" by Mark Stein at the Access Theatre in Santa Barbara. And performed with her husband, Bill, in A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters" in Buffalo, New York.

She has had roles in the movies "Primary Colors", "The Ghosts Of Mississippi", "The Grass Harp", "Promises In The Dark", "Shiloh", "Twins", and "Frances". Movies of the week have been "Tuesdays With Morrie", "Victim Of Love", "Take Me Home Again", "Sleeping with the Devil". "Ninja Murders", "Right To Die", "The Big One - L.A. Earthquake", "Deadly Intentions", "Deliberate Strangers", "Celebrity and Malice In Wonderland". Others include "Dempsey", "'V'", "A Long Way Home", "Rape and Marriage" and "Lizzie Borden".

T.V. Series, besides St. Elsewhere", "Once And Again", "Touched By An Angel", "Home Improvement", "E.R.", "The Practice", "I'll Fly Away", "Little House On The Prairie", "Barney Miller", "Golden Girls", "Midnight Caller", "La Law", "Matlock", "Seaquest" and "Wiseguy". Since our first publiction, she has added: "Once and Again", "Touched by an Angel", "NCIS", "General Hospital", "Grey's Anatomy", "Parks and Recreation", "Key and Peele", and "Better Call Saul" to name a few.

Bonnie has two sons, Roben and Michael, and two granddaughters, Shaina and Eliza. She currently divides her time between Studio City and Santa Barbara, California, and New York City with her husband, William Daniels.

Bonnie Bartlett's advice to the aspiring actor:

There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.

If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is; nor how valuable it is; nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.

You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you.

Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction, whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.
Martha Graham (in a letter to Agnes DeMille)

Representation

Talent Agent

TalentWorks
http://www.talentworksla.com
Phone: 818-972-4300
Fax: 818-955-6411
3500 W Olive Ave. Ste 1400
Burbank, CA 91505
Representative: Harry Gold

Bonnie Bartlett's Credits
 2017 Better Call Saul (TV Series)
Helen
- Lantern (2017) ... Helen
- Fall (2017) ... Helen
 2016/I Nina
Recital Stage Woman
 2015 Key and Peele (TV Series)
Mother
- The Job Interview (2015) ... Mother
 2013 Parks and Recreation (TV Series)
Paula Horke
- Women in Garbage (2013) ... Paula Horke
 2012 Of Two Minds (TV Movie)
Kathleen
 2011 Valediction (Short)
Annabel
 2008 Grey's Anatomy (TV Series)
Rosemary Bullard
- Rise Up (2008) ... Rosemary Bullard
 2006 General Hospital (TV Series)
Miriam Spinelli
- Episode #1.11193 (2006) ... Miriam Spinelli
- Episode #1.11192 (2006) ... Miriam Spinelli
 2006 Boston Legal (TV Series)
Marguerite Hauser
- Shock and Oww! (2006) ... Marguerite Hauser
 2006 Saving Shiloh
Mrs. Wallace
 2005 Huff (TV Series)
Margaret
- All the King's Horses (2005) ... Margaret
 2004 It Must Be Love (TV Movie)
Kate Gazelle
 2004 NCIS (TV Series)
Dr. Sylvia Chalmers
- My Other Left Foot (2004) ... Dr. Sylvia Chalmers
 1997-2003 Touched by an Angel (TV Series)
Loretta / Dr. Lucy Scribner / Emily Vincent
- And a Nightingale Sang (2003) ... Loretta
- The Grudge (2000) ... Dr. Lucy Scribner
- Venice (1997) ... Emily Vincent
 2002 Firefly (TV Series)
Patience
- Serenity (2002) ... Patience
 2002 Strong Medicine (TV Series)
Edna Carlyle
- Discharged (2002) ... Edna Carlyle
 1999-2002 Once and Again (TV Series)
Barbara Brooks
- Losing You (2002) ... Barbara Brooks
- The Second Time Around (2001) ... Barbara Brooks
- Feast or Famine (2000) ... Barbara Brooks
- Strangers and Brothers (2000) ... Barbara Brooks
- Unfinished Business (2000) ... Barbara Brooks
 1999 Tuesdays with Morrie (TV Movie)
Charlotte
 1997-1999 The Practice (TV Series)
Joanne Oz
- Legacy (1999) ... Joanne Oz
- Hide and Seek (1997) ... Joanne Oz
 1999 Shiloh 2: Shiloh Season
Mrs. Wallace
 1997-1999 Boy Meets World (TV Series)
Dean Lila Bolander
- State of the Unions (1999) ... Dean Lila Bolander
- Bee True (1999) ... Dean Lila Bolander
- Everybody Loves Stuart (1998) ... Dean Lila Bolander
- Friendly Persuasion (1998) ... Dean Lila Bolander
- Learning to Fly (1997) ... Dean Lila Bolander
 1995-1998 Home Improvement (TV Series)
Lucille Taylor
- Home for the Holidays (1998) ... Lucille Taylor
- The Son Also Mooches (1998) ... Lucille Taylor
- No Place Like Home (1996) ... Lucille Taylor
- Shopping Around (1996) ... Lucille Taylor
- That's My Momma (1995) ... Lucille Taylor
 1998 Family Blessings (TV Movie)
Mavis Lallek
 1998 Stargate SG-1 (TV Series)
Linea
- Prisoners (1998) ... Linea
 1998 Primary Colors
Martha Harris
 1997-1998 ER (TV Series)
Ruth Greene
- Family Practice (1998) ... Ruth Greene
- Fathers and Sons (1997) ... Ruth Greene
 1997 Sleeping with the Devil (TV Movie)
Stasha Dubrovich
 1996 Ghosts of Mississippi
Billie DeLaughter
 1996 Shiloh
Mrs. Wallace
 1996 The Faculty (TV Series)
Katherine
- Bus Stop (1996) ... Katherine
 1995 The Courtyard (TV Movie)
Cathleen Fitzgerald
 1995 In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy (TV Movie)
Aunt Alice
 1995 The Grass Harp
Mrs. Buster
 1995 See Jane Run (TV Movie)
Doris
 1994 Take Me Home Again (TV Movie)
Sylvia
 1994 Where Are My Children? (TV Movie)
Judge Carol Jean Woods
 1994 SeaQuest 2032 (TV Series)
Secretary General Andrea Dre
- The Last Lap at Luxury (1994) ... Secretary General Andrea Dre
 1993 Victim of Love: The Shannon Mohr Story (TV Movie)
Lucille Mohr
 1993 Donato and Daughter (TV Movie)
Renata Donato
 1993 Dave
Female Senator
 1993 Bloodlines: Murder in the Family (TV Movie)
Ruth
 1992 I'll Fly Away (TV Series)
Beth Lekatzis
- Fragile Truths (1992) ... Beth Lekatzis
 1992 Room for Two (TV Series)
Francine Luboff
- Pilot (1992) ... Francine Luboff
 1992 L.A. Law (TV Series)
Gloria Lee
- Diet, Diet My Darling (1992) ... Gloria Lee
 1990 The Great Los Angeles Earthquake (TV Movie)
Anita Parker
 1989-1990 Midnight Caller (TV Series)
Hillary Townsend King / Hillary Townsend-King
- Sale Away: Part 2 (1990) ... Hillary Townsend King
- Ain't Too Proud to Beg: Part 1 (1990) ... Hillary Townsend-King
- End of Innocence (1989) ... Hillary Townsend King
- Promise to a Dead Man (1989) ... Hillary Townsend King
 1990 Wiseguy (TV Series)
Harriet Weiss
- Brrump-Bump! (1990) ... Harriet Weiss
- Sanctuary (1990) ... Harriet Weiss
- Let Them Eat Cake (1990) ... Harriet Weiss
 1989 Murder, She Wrote (TV Series)
Marilyn North
- Seal of the Confessional (1989) ... Marilyn North
 1989 Matlock (TV Series)
Lorraine Maslin
- The Blues Singer (1989) ... Lorraine Maslin
 1988 Twins
Old Mary Ann Benedict
 1988 Police Story: The Watch Commander (TV Movie)
Margaret Wilson
 1982-1988 St. Elsewhere (TV Series)
Ellen Craig
- The Last One (1988) ... Ellen Craig
- The Abby Singer Show (1988) ... Ellen Craig
- Split Decision (1988) ... Ellen Craig
- Requiem for a Heavyweight (1988) ... Ellen Craig
- The Naked Civil Surgeon (1988) ... Ellen Craig
 1988 The Golden Girls (TV Series)
Barbara Thorndyke
- Dorothy's New Friend (1988) ... Barbara Thorndyke
 1987 Right to Die (TV Movie)
Lillian
 1987 Deadly Deception (TV Movie)
Marge Shoat
 1986 Welcome Home (Short)
 1986 The Wizard (TV Series)
Rachel
- El Dorado (1986) ... Rachel
 1986 North and South, Book II (TV Mini-Series)
General's Wife
- Episode #1.6 (1986) ... General's Wife (credit only)
- Episode #1.5 (1986) ... General's Wife (credit only)
- Episode #1.4 (1986) ... General's Wife (credit only)
- Episode #1.3 (1986) ... General's Wife (credit only)
- Episode #1.2 (1986) ... General's Wife (credit only)
 1986 The Deliberate Stranger (TV Movie)
Louise Bundy
 1985 Hotel (TV Series)
Olga Petrovsky
- Passports (1985) ... Olga Petrovsky
 1985 Malice in Wonderland (TV Movie)
Ida Koverman
 1984 Dreams (TV Series)
 1984 Celebrity (TV Mini-Series)
Mabel Hofmeyer
- Part 3 (1984) ... Mabel Hofmeyer
- Part 2 (1984) ... Mabel Hofmeyer
 1983 Dempsey (TV Movie)
Celia Dempsey
 1983 V (TV Mini-Series)
Lynn Bernstein
- Part 2 (1983) ... Lynn Bernstein
- Part 1 (1983) ... Lynn Bernstein
 1983/II Love Letters
Maggie Winter
 1982 Frances
Studio Stylist
 1982 Lou Grant (TV Series)
Claire
- Unthinkable (1982) ... Claire
 1980-1982 Barney Miller (TV Series)
Emily Loftis / Ellen Milford
- Inquiry (1982) ... Emily Loftis
- The Delegate (1980) ... Ellen Milford
 1981 A Long Way Home (TV Movie)
JoAnn Booth
 1981 Knots Landing (TV Series)
Dr. Ruth West
- Critical Condition (1981) ... Dr. Ruth West
 1981 ABC Afterschool Specials (TV Series)
Miriam Scott
- She Drinks a Little (1981) ... Miriam Scott
 1981 Eight Is Enough (TV Series)
Mrs. Gregory
- The Idolbreaker: Part 2 (1981) ... Mrs. Gregory
 1981 All Night Long
Patricia
 1980 Seed of Innocence
Velma, Alice's Mother
 1980 Rape and Marriage: The Rideout Case (TV Movie)
Norma Joyce
 1980 A Perfect Match (TV Movie)
Judge Greenburg
 1980 Visions (TV Series)
 1979 Ike: The War Years (TV Mini-Series)
Mamie Eisenhower
- Episode #1.2 (1979) ... Mamie Eisenhower
- Episode #1.1 (1979) ... Mamie Eisenhower
 1979 Shirley (TV Series)
Sarah
- Twenty Years to Life (1979) ... Sarah
 1979 Salem's Lot (TV Movie)
Ann Norton
 1974-1979 Little House on the Prairie (TV Series)
Grace Snider Edwards / Grace Snider
- The Return of Mr. Edwards (1979) ... Grace Snider Edwards
- Gold Country (1977) ... Grace Snider Edwards
- Gold Country (1977) ... Grace Snider Edwards
- To Live with Fear: Part 1 (1977) ... Grace Snider Edwards
- Injun Kid (1977) ... Grace Snider Edwards
 1979 Promises in the Dark
Nurse Farber
 1979 The Last Word
Mrs. Garrity
 1979 Hart to Hart (TV Series)
Myra Bensinger
- Murder Between Friends (1979) ... Myra Bensinger
 1979 California Dreaming
Melinda Booke
 1978 A Death in Canaan (TV Movie)
Teresa Noble
 1977 Rafferty (TV Series)
- The Epidemic (1977)
 1977 Killer on Board (TV Movie)
Debra Snowden
 1977 Washington: Behind Closed Doors (TV Mini-Series)
Mrs. Bailey / Joan Bailey
- Part 3 (1977) ... Mrs. Bailey
- Part 2 (1977) ... Joan Bailey
 1976 The Last Tycoon
Brady's Secretary
 1976 The Rockford Files (TV Series)
Casey Patterson
- The Oracle Wore a Cashmere Suit (1976) ... Casey Patterson
 1975 The Legend of Lizzie Borden (TV Movie)
Sylvia Knowlton
 1975 Kojak (TV Series)
Joan Milner
- The Goodluck Bomber (1975) ... Joan Milner
 1974 Gunsmoke (TV Series)
Agnes Benton / Maylee Baines
- In Performance of Duty (1974) ... Agnes Benton
- The Foundling (1974) ... Maylee Baines
 1974 Murder or Mercy (TV Movie)
Elena Champion
 1974 The Waltons (TV Series)
Martha Rudge
- The Car (1974) ... Martha Rudge
 1973 Emergency! (TV Series)
Eunice Evans
- Computer Error (1973) ... Eunice Evans
 1969 The Jackie Gleason Show (TV Series)
Donna Douglas
- The Honeymooners: The Honeymoon Is Over (1969) ... Donna Douglas
 1965 The Patty Duke Show (TV Series)
Miss Castle
- My Cousin the Heroine (1965) ... Miss Castle
 1963 The Doctors (TV Series)
Joan Halliday
- Judgment of Soloman: Part 2 (1963) ... Joan Halliday
 1951 Love of Life (TV Series)
Ellie Crown (1951) / Vanessa 'Van' Dale Raven Sterling (1955-1959)

 Photo camera Credits 
* © 2017 Michele K. Short AMC/Sony Pictures
** Randy Tepper © 2010 American Broadcasting Co.

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