Mary Beth Rubens
Mary Beth Rubens in Prom Night (1980)
Born
Mary Elizabeth Rubens

Kingston, Ontario, Canada[1][2]
Years active1980–present

Mary Elizabeth Rubens is a Canadian film, stage, and television actress, who made her feature film debut in Paul Lynch's slasher film Prom Night (1980). She subsequently appeared in Firebird 2015 AD (1981). She worked throughout the 1980s in television, guest-starring on Night Heat (1985–1987) and Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1987–1988). From 1989 to 1993, she had a leading role on the series E.N.G., for which she was nominated for a Gemini Award.

After a traumatic brain injury in the 1990s left Rubens with a permanent disability, she shifted focus from acting, and subsequently earned a degree in law & society from York University. In 2018, she appeared in Judith Thompson's stage production of After the Blackout, a play about, and starring, people with various disabilities.

Career

Rubens made her feature film debut in Paul Lynch's slasher film Prom Night (1980). She subsequently had a supporting role in Firebird 2015 AD (1981).[3][4]

In 1987, she appeared in Souvenirs with Theatre Calgary.[5][6] In 1990, Rubens was nominated for a Gemini Award for her performance in the pilot of E.N.G..[7] In 1995, she appeared in the film The Michelle Apartments.

After suffering a traumatic brain injury in the 1990s, Rubens was left with a permanent disability and temporarily retired from acting.[8] She subsequently enrolled at York University, graduating with an honours degree in law & society.[9]

In 2018, she returned to theater in the RARE Theatre Company's After the Blackout, a play by Judith Thompson, which featured a cast of performers with varying disabilities.[10] Isabelle Perrone of BroadwayWorld noted that Rubens "approached her character seemingly with ease, playing the aged starlet with elegance."[11]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1980 Prom Night Kelly Lynch [12]
1981 Firebird 2015 AD Jill [3]
1985 Big Deal Secretary
1986 Perfect Timing Judy
1995 The Michelle Apartments Madeleine [13]

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1980 The Littlest Hobo Sally Episode: "Second Chance" [14]
1985–1987 Night Heat Jackie / Maria 2 episodes [15]
[16]
1987–1988 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Alison / Beth 2 episodes [17]
1988 War of the Worlds Marla Episode: "Eye for an Eye" [18]
1989 Street Legal Julie Lavoix Episode: "Slipping Through the Cracks" [19]
1991 Tropical Heat Margot / Lady Grace 2 episodes
1992 Counterstrike Marlene Episode: "Cat in the Cradle" [20]
1989–1993 E.N.G. Bobbi Katz 70 episodes
Nominated—Gemini Award for Best Supporting Actress[7]
1995 Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years Sadie 3 episodes
1996 The Outer Limits Fran Blake Episode: "Unnatural Selection" [21]
1997 F/X: The Series Bennett Episode: "Spanish Harlem" [22]

Select stage credits

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1987 Souvenirs Vicki Theatre Calgary [23]
1987 Golden Girls Sue Kinder Theatre Calgary [24]
2018 After the Blackout Roxy RARE Theatre Company, Toronto [10]

References

  1. ^ "Mary Beth Rubens". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  2. ^ "E.N.G.'s Bobby is no TV bimbo" by Rita Zekas, Toronto Star (14 Nov, 1990) Retrieved from ProQuest 436304685
  3. ^ a b "Mary Beth Rubens". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  4. ^ McCracken, Rosemary (September 23, 1981). "Firebird fails to rev up emotions". Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. p. D19 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Keyser, Tom (February 4, 1987). "Badger makes a noteworthy gift". Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. p. B2 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Brennan, Brian (February 21, 1987). "Souvenirs needs few jolts to hold its audience". Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. p. G6 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b Nicholls, Stephen (October 26, 1990). "Odd matches in fight for Gemini". Nanaimo Daily News. Nanaimo, British Columbia. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Muredda, Angelo (May 14, 2018). "After The Blackout links the fates of people living with disabilities... with mixed results". Now. Toronto, Ontario. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  9. ^ "Mary Beth Rubens". Soulpepper. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Morrow, Martin (May 14, 2018). "Review: After the Blackout marks a transition for Judith Thompson and her RARE Theatre Company". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  11. ^ Perrone, Isabelle (May 20, 2018). "BWW Review: AFTER THE BLACKOUT at Soulpepper". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019.
  12. ^ Nowell, Richard (2010). Blood Money: A History of the First Teen Slasher Film Cycle. London, England: Bloomsbury. p. 165. ISBN 978-1-441-12496-8.
  13. ^ "Mary Beth Rubens". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  14. ^ "Second Chance". The Littlest Hobo. Season 1. Episode 12. January 3, 1980. CTV Television Network.
  15. ^ "Necessary Force". Night Heat. Season 1. Episode 2. February 7, 1985. CTV Television Network.
  16. ^ "The Comeback". Night Heat. Season 3. Episode 13. September 8, 1987. CTV Television Network.
  17. ^ Muir, John Kenneth (2001). Terror Television: American Series, 1970-1999. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 155. ISBN 978-0-786-40890-0.
  18. ^ "Eye for an Eye". War of the Worlds. Season 1. Episode 5. October 31, 1988. Paramount Domestic Television.
  19. ^ "Slipping Through the Cracks". Street Legal. Season 3. Episode 17. 1989. CBC Television.
  20. ^ "Cat in the Cradle". Counterstrike. Season 3. Episode 11. December 11, 1992. USA Network.
  21. ^ "Unnatural Selection". The Outer Limits. Season 2. Episode 3. January 19, 1996. Showtime.
  22. ^ "Spanish Harlem". F/X: The Series. Season 2. Episode 9. November 10, 1997. CTV Television Network.
  23. ^ "Souvenirs". Theatre Calgary. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  24. ^ Zimmerman, Kate (May 24, 1987). "Cast has an active role in the show". Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.

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