Gail Brown | |
|---|---|
 Brown with William Russ on Another World, 1977. | |
| Born | October 11, 1937 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1967–1987 |
| Known for | Clarice Hobson on Another World |
| Spouses | Michael Quinlan Brown
(m. 1970; div. 1977)Gordon Duggan (m. 1981) |
| Relatives | Karen Black (sister) |
Gail Brown (née Ziegler; born October 11, 1937)[1] is an American former actress. She is best known for her role as Clarice Hobson on the NBC daytime soap opera Another World (1975–1986). She is the older sister of the late film actress Karen Black.
Brown was born Gail Ziegler and grew up in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, Illinois.[2] She is a daughter of Elsie (née Reif), a writer.[3][4] Her younger sister was actress Karen Black.[2] Before she became a professional entertainer, she worked as a hatcheck girl, a typist, and a waitress.[3]
Brown left home for New York, planning to become a professional dancer.[2] She became an understudy and dancer in a national touring company of Funny Girl.[3] She also performed as Mimsey and as a showgirl in the Broadway production of that musical.[5]
Brown played the role of Clarice Hobson on the soap opera Another World.[3] The role was notable for being the first comedic character on a daytime TV soap opera.[3] In his book, Eight Years in Another World, head writer Harding Lemay stated that he intended the character of Clarice to last only two days, but he was so taken by Brown's performance that he decided to add the character to the storyline.
Brown took her professional name from her first husband, Michael Quinlan Brown, an actor and a writer.[3] She was married to Brown from 1970 to 1977. Since 1981 Brown has been married to Gordon Duggan, with whom she has two children, a son and daughter.[4]