Mariette Hartley

Mariette Hartley, born Mary Loretta Hartley on June 21, 1940, in Weston, Connecticut, embarked on her acting journey at the age of 13 at the White Barn Theatre. She received mentorship from Eva Le Gallienne and graduated from Staples High School, where she participated in the school’s theater group. Her early career also included studies at the Carnegie Institute of Technology and work at the American Shakespeare Festival. Hartley’s film debut was an uncredited role in “From Hell to Texas” (1958), followed by her first credited appearance in Sam Peckinpah’s “Ride the High Country” (1962), which earned her a BAFTA award nomination. Throughout the 1960s, she secured prominent roles in films such as Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological thriller “Marnie” (1964) and John Sturges’ “Marooned” (1969).

Her television career flourished with numerous guest appearances in series like “Gunsmoke,” “Bonanza,” and “Star Trek.” A significant recurring role was as Dr. Claire Morton in 32 episodes of “Peyton Place” in 1965. The 1970s and 1980s saw her continued presence in both film and television, with notable appearances in “Columbo” and “Little House on the Prairie.” In 1978, Hartley received critical acclaim, winning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Dr. Carolyn Fields in “The Incredible Hulk.” She later earned additional Emmy nominations for “The Rockford Files” and for her work in the sitcom “Goodnight, Beantown.” In 1987, she co-hosted “The Morning Program” on CBS.

Beyond her acting achievements, Hartley is recognized for her advocacy in mental health and suicide prevention. She co-founded the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and has spoken publicly about her personal experiences with bipolar disorder, a topic she explored in her 1990 autobiography, “Breaking the Silence.” In recent years, she has continued to act, including a recurring role on the Fox drama “9-1-1” as Patricia Clark. She also co-wrote and starred in the romantic comedy, “Our Almost Completely True Story,” released in 2022, alongside her husband, Jerry Sroka.