Mews Small (born Mary Edith Wilard Small; March 20, 1942 in Pasadena, California) is an American actress and singer. She was known professionally as Marya Small during the 1970s and has also been credited as Merrya Small, Mary Small Rusk, and Mary Small.

Acting career

Small got her acting start in a 1966 theatre production of ''

The Sound of Music ''The Sound of Music'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, ''The Story of the Trapp Family Singers''. ...

'' in

Stowe, Vermont Stowe is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. The population was 5,223 at the 2020 census. The town lies on Vermont Routes 108 and 100. It is nicknamed "The Ski Capital of the East" and is home to Stowe Mountain Resort, a ski faci ...

. She has since acted in numerous feature films and television shows. Small originated the role of Frenchy in the original Broadway production of the musical '' Grease'', with a cast including

Barry Bostwick Barry Knapp Bostwick (born February 24, 1945) is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Brad Majors in the musical comedy horror film '' The Rocky Horror Picture Show'' (1975) and Mayor Randall Winston in the sitcom ''Spin City'' (19 ...

and

Adrienne Barbeau Adrienne Jo Barbeau (born June 11, 1945) is an American actress, singer and the author of three books. Barbeau came to prominence in the 1970s as Broadway's original Rizzo in the musical '' Grease'', and as Carol Traynor, the divorced daughter o ...

. She was later joined by cast members

John Travolta John Joseph Travolta (born February 18, 1954) is an American actor. He came to public attention during the 1970s, appearing on the television sitcom '' Welcome Back, Kotter'' (1975–1979) and starring in the box office successes ''Carrie'' (1 ...

Patrick Swayze Patrick Wayne Swayze (; August 18, 1952 – September 14, 2009) was an American actor, dancer, and singer known for playing distinctive lead roles, particularly romantic, tough, and comedic characters. He was also known for his media image and ...

Treat Williams Richard Treat Williams (born December 1, 1951) is an American actor, writer and aviator who has appeared on film, stage and television in over 120 credits. He first became well known for his starring role in the 1979 musical film ''Hair'', and lat ...

, and

Marilu Henner Mary Lucy Denise Henner is an American actress. She began her career appearing in the original production of the musical '' Grease'' in 1971, before making her screen debut in the 1977 comedy-drama film '' Between the Lines''. In 1977, Henner wa ...

. Small is best known for her roles as Candy in the film ''

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest may refer to: * ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (novel), a 1962 novel by Ken Kesey * ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (play), a 1963 stage adaptation of the novel starring Kirk Douglas * ''One Flew Over the ...

'' and Dr. Nero in

Woody Allen Heywood "Woody" Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg; November 30, 1935) is an American film director, writer, actor, and comedian whose career spans more than six decades and multiple Academy Award-winning films. He began his career writing ...

's film ''

Sleeper A sleeper is a person who is sleeping. Sleeper may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Characters * Sleeper (Marvel Comics), a Nazi German robot utilized by the Red Skull in Marvel Comics * The Sleeper (Wild Cards), a character in the Wild Ca ...

''. She also portrayed the

Janis Joplin Janis Lyn Joplin (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970) was an American singer and musician. One of the most successful and widely known rock stars of her era, she was noted for her powerful mezzo-soprano vocals and "electric" stage presence. ...

-inspired role of Frankie in the animated rotoscope film ''

American Pop ''American Pop'' is a 1981 American adult animated jukebox musical drama film starring Ron Thompson and produced and directed by Ralph Bakshi. It was the fourth animated feature film to be presented in Dolby sound. The film tells the story ...

''. Small appeared in the first episode of " Kolchak: The Night Stalker" in 1975. Mews is the lead singer of her band Mews Small and The Small Band, who has released a CD ''Do What You Do'' in 2008. She also sings regularly with Suzy Williams, and the two have written songs together.

Politics

Mews Small ran as the

Natural Law Party The Natural Law Party (NLP) is a transnational party founded in 1992 on "the principles of Transcendental Meditation", the laws of nature, and their application to all levels of government. At its peak, it was active in up to 74 countries; it co ...

nominee for the

United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together the ...

for California's 25th congressional district in 2000. She received 1.35% or 3,010 votes.

Filmography

*'' The Trouble with Angels'' (1966) – Nun (uncredited) *''

'' (1973) – Dr. Nero *’’ Maude - The Commuter Station’’ (1974) - The Girlfriend *'' The Wild Party'' (1975) – Bertha *''

'' (1975) – Candy *'' The Last of the Cowboys'' (1977) – Alice *'' The Great Smokey Roadblock'' (1977) – Slave Girl #2 *''

Thank God It's Friday Thanks may refer to: * ''Thank you'' (phrase), a common expression of gratitude Film and television * ''Thanks'' (film), a 2011 American film * ''Thanks'' (TV series), a 1999 American sitcom Music Albums * ''Thanks'', by Ivan Neville, 1994 ...

'' (1978) – Jackie *''

The Dukes of Hazzard ''The Dukes of Hazzard'' is an American action comedy TV series that was aired on CBS from January 26, 1979 to February 8, 1985. The show aired for 147 episodes spanning seven seasons. It was consistently among the top-rated television serie ...

'' (1979) – Frankie *'' Dreamer'' (1979) – Elaine *'' Fade to Black'' (1980) – Doreen (uncredited) *''

'' (1981) –Frankie *'' Zapped!'' (1982) – Mrs. Springboro *'' National Lampoon's Class Reunion'' (1982) – Iris Augen *''Young Lust'' (1987) – Connie *'' Five Corners'' (1987) – Woman in Deli *'' Puppet Master'' (1989) – Theresa *'' Man on the Moon'' (1999) – TM Administrator *''A Wake in Providence'' (1999) – Casting Director (voice) *''Raw Footage'' (2005) – Wedding Guest *''The Gift: At Risk'' (2007) – Mother Superior *''Boppin' at the Glue Factory'' (2009) – Mary LeDoux

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Small, Mews American stage actresses American film actresses American television actresses American women singers 1942 births Living people People from Pasadena, California 21st-century American women