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Edward Wass (born October 27, 1952) is an American television director and former actor. He is best known for his roles as Danny Dallas on the series Soap (1977–1981) and as Nick Russo on the sitcom Blossom (1991–1995). After Blossom ended its run in 1995, Wass retired from acting and focused only on directing episodic television series, such as Spin City, The Big Bang Theory, Less than Perfect and 2 Broke Girls. Wass returned to acting when he reunited with Mayim Bialik and played her father again on Bialik's Call Me Kat in 2022.

Early life and education

Wass was born in Lakewood, Ohio. He was raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and graduated from Glenbard West High School in 1970. He attended Goodman School of Drama at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (now at DePaul University).

Wass trained as an opera singer and was also involved in rock and roll as a lead singer and guitarist.

Career

Acting

In 1976, Wass made his Broadway debut in the original Broadway production of Grease, playing Danny Zuko.

He made his television debut as Danny Dallas on Soap from 1977 to 1981, filming 101 episodes. He appeared on Broadway with his Soap co-star Diana Canova in Neil Simon's They're Playing Our Song.

Wass starred in Curse of the Pink Panther (1983), one of the post-Peter Sellers films in the franchise, as Detective Sergeant Clifton Sleigh, engaged by Police Chief Dreyfus to track down Inspector Clouseau.

He played struggling musician Bobby Shelton (who trades his soul — and his family — to become an ill-fated rock star "Billy Wayne") in the black comedy film Oh, God! You Devil (1984). He played a sports journalist caught in a murder in female-Tarzan film Sheena (1984).

In 1986, he starred in the TV movie Triplecross, directed by David Greene. This was intended as a television pilot, but the series was never picked up.

His last acting role was among his most prominent, playing the title character's father in Blossom (1991–1995), a sitcom about a teenage girl with two brothers being brought up by their single father.

Directing

Wass began directing while acting on the TV sitcom Blossom. He has directed episodes of over 40 TV series along with many TV movies.

Personal life

Wass' first wife was actress Janet Margolin, who died in December 1993 at age 50 from ovarian cancer. Their two children are Julian (a composer) and Matilda. He has two grandchildren from Julian's marriage to director Jenee Lamarque. His second and current wife is producer Nina Feinberg Wass, whom he married in 1996. They have a daughter named Stella.

Filmography

As an Actor

As a Director

References

1. ^ "Lights shine on The Theatre School gala honorees". newsline.depaul.edu. DePaul University. March 29, 2012. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
2. "Mayim Bialik and 'Blossom' Dad Ted Wass to Reunite on 'Call Me Kat'". 8 April 2022.
3. ^ Cavazos, Norma (November 20, 1994). "TV Questions". The News-Press. Fort Myers, Florida. Knight-Ridder News Service. p. 168. Retrieved November 22, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
4. "History". glenbard1958. Glenbard High School Class of 1958.
5. "Ted Wass". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
6. Brunsdale, Mitzi M. (2010). Icons of Mystery and Crime Detection: From Sleuths to Superheroes. ABC-CLIO. p. 184. ISBN 9780313345319.
7. Wilson, Staci Layne (2007). Animal Movies Guide. Staci Wilson. p. 18. ISBN 9780967518534.
8. Roberts, Jerry (2009). "David Greene". Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors. Scarecrow Press. p. 215. ISBN 9780810863781.
9. "Ted Wass Biography (1952-)". FilmReference.com.

External links

• Ted Wass at IMDb
• Ted Wass at the Internet Broadway Database

• 1952 births
• Living people
• 20th-century American male actors
• Male actors from Illinois
• Male actors from Ohio
• American male film actors
• American male television actors
• American television directors
• DePaul University alumni
• People from Glen Ellyn, Illinois
• Actors from Lakewood, Ohio
• American people of Jewish descent