Mariann Aalda is a trailblazing American actress, performance artist, stand-up comic, and a prominent figure in the positive aging movement. Best known for her groundbreaking role as DiDi Bannister-Stoner, one of the first African-American daytime soap opera heroines on ABC’s “The Edge of Night” from 1981 to 1984, Aalda has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

Before her soap opera success, Aalda honed her skills as a writer-performer with the Off Center Theatre sketch comedy troupe in New York and toured with the Boston-based improv group, The Proposition, alongside animation voice actor Charlie Adler. Her career continued to ascend with roles on “Guiding Light,” the CBS sitcom “The Royal Family,” and the HBO series “1st & Ten.”

Aalda’s versatility shines through in her memorable recurring roles on “Designing Women” as Anthony’s yuppie-from-hell girlfriend and the NBC soap opera “Sunset Beach” as the tragically disfigured Lena Hart. Her talent extends to film, with notable roles in urban cult film “Class Act,” “Nobody’s Perfect,” “Beaches,” “Pretty Woman,” and “The Wiz.”

Beyond her acting accomplishments, Aalda is a leader in the positive aging movement, recognized by AARP as an “Age Disruptor.” Her TEDx Talk and podcast appearances on shameless aging reflect her commitment to changing perceptions around growing older. As the resident Age Anarchist for Women of Color Unite (WOCU), she advocates for women of color in the entertainment industry. Aalda’s stand-up comedy and solo show, “Getting Old Is a Bitch…But I’m Gonna Wrestle That Bitch to the Ground!,” broke a 30-year box office record at the 2019 National Black Theatre Festival, solidifying her legacy as a multifaceted and influential entertainer.