This is part 1 of my two-part interview with my dear friend and wonderfully talented actress Mariann Aalda. In this episode, Mariann talks about growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, pursuing her dreams of being an actress, and the beginnings of her trailblazing 30-yr career when she was cast as Didi Bannister on ABC’s Edge of Night.
About The Guest
Mariann Aalda
In 1981, Mariann Aalda became one of the first African-American daytime soap opera heroines, the feisty, young criminal defense attorney DiDi Bannister on ABC’s Edge of Night. But these days she’s prosecuting ageism with a TEDx Talk, a solo show and as an AARP Age Disruptor.
Her 30-yr TV career highlights also include co-starring opposite Redd Foxx and Della Reese as their daughter, Elizabeth, on the CBS sitcom, The Royal Family; recurring as Lita Ford, Anthony’s yuppie-from-hell girlfriend on CBS’ Designing Women, and co-starring opposite O.J. Simpson as his wife, Ellen for three seasons on the HBO dramedy, First & 10.
But all that came to a screeching halt when Mariann committed the most unpardonable sin a woman can make in Hollywood…she got old.
Show Notes
TEDx Talk: Ageism Is a Bully…Stand Up to It!
AARP Age Disrupter: Actress Reclaims Career After Being Told She’s Too Old | Mariann Aalda
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