Shelley Morrison

Biography

Shelley Morrison, an American actress, had a long career in film and television. Born Rachel Mitrani in New York City, she studied journalism at USC before training in acting at Los Angeles City College. She began in summer stock at the Tustin Playbox as Mrs. Potts in Picnic (1956). With Tom Sheldon she formed the New Playwright Company, whose first production, Cotton Candy, opened at the Vine Street Playhouse in 1961. Early film roles came in Divorce American Style and How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life. On television she played Linda Little Trees in Laredo from 1965 to 1967 and Sister Sixto in The Flying Nun from 1967 to 1970. She later appeared in Fools Rush In, Blume in Love, and Breezy. Her best-known role was Rosario Salazar on Will & Grace from 1999 to 2006, and she voiced Mrs. Portillo on Handy Manny. Her last official role was a voiceover in Foodfight!.

83years old at death

Born October 26, 1936New York City
Died December 1, 2019Los Angeles
Star sign: ScorpioThe sign runs October 23 to November 21
Rachel Mitrani (birth name)

Movie Career

Films: 11
Career span: 46 years1966 to 2012

Genres

Comedy55%, 6 films
Romance45%, 5 films
Adventure27%, 3 films
Drama27%, 3 films
Animation18%, 2 films

First and latest

Did you know?!

Getting ready for a role
Shelley Morrison had just told her agent to stop offering her "maid parts" when she got the call for Will & Grace.
A first
Morrison appeared in roughly 25 films and 200 television shows, and on 32 separate occasions she portrayed a maid or housekeeper.
First role
Morrison began acting in summer stock at the Tustin Playbox soon after Los Angeles City College, playing Mrs. Potts in Picnic in 1956.
Early training
Morrison attended the University of Southern California for journalism, then went on to Los Angeles City College to study acting.
Behind the camera
Morrison started the New Playwright Company with actor Tom Sheldon in 1961. Cotton Candy, the company's first production, opened at the Vine Street Playhouse.
A role that slipped away
Morrison was asked to reprise her Will & Grace role when NBC revived the show in 2017, but she chose to retire from acting instead.