Gretchen Oehler
Encyclopedia
Gretchen Oehler was an American
actress, most recognized for her long-running role as Vivien Gorrow on the soap operas Another World
and Texas
.
Oehler attended the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, now the theatre department at DePaul University
, winning the prestigious Sarah Siddons Society scholarship for the 1964-65 school year. In January 1965, Oehler played Miss Amelia Evans to rave reviews in a special adaptation for the Goodman Theater stage of The Ballad of the Sad Café by playwright Edward Albee.In October 1977, she debuted as Miss Wells in the hugely successful Broadway revival of Dracula
. Oehler continued in the part for 900 performances, appearing opposite Frank Langella
and later fellow soap actor Christopher Bernau
(Alan Spaulding, Guiding Light
) in the title role.
Concurrent with her Broadway run, Oehler joined the cast of the NBC daytime soap Another World in May 1978 as Vivien Gorrow, the eccentric but lovable maid of spoiled Iris Cory (first played by Beverlee McKinsey
and then by Carmen Duncan
). Oehler remained on Another World until February 1981, when she crossed over to AW's sister soap Texas
in episode 134. After Texas was cancelled on December 31, 1982, the actress returned to Another World as Vivien for two additional runs (February 1983-May 1984 and September 1988-December 1990).
In the 1990s, Gretchen Oehler was diagnosed with cancer. She died in Moose, Wyoming.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress, most recognized for her long-running role as Vivien Gorrow on the soap operas Another World
Another World (TV series)
Another World is an American television soap opera that ran on NBC from May 4, 1964 to June 25, 1999. It ran for a total of 35 years. It was created by Irna Phillips along with William J...
and Texas
Texas (TV series)
Texas is an American daytime soap opera which aired on NBC from August 4, 1980 until December 31, 1982. Created by John William Corrington, Joyce Hooper Corrington, and Paul Rauch, the show was a spinoff of Another World...
.
Oehler attended the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, now the theatre department at DePaul University
DePaul University
DePaul University is a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul...
, winning the prestigious Sarah Siddons Society scholarship for the 1964-65 school year. In January 1965, Oehler played Miss Amelia Evans to rave reviews in a special adaptation for the Goodman Theater stage of The Ballad of the Sad Café by playwright Edward Albee.In October 1977, she debuted as Miss Wells in the hugely successful Broadway revival of Dracula
Dracula
Dracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor...
. Oehler continued in the part for 900 performances, appearing opposite Frank Langella
Frank Langella
-Early life:Langella, an Italian American, was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, the son of Angelina and Frank A. Langella Sr., a business executive who was the president of the Bayonne Barrel and Drum Company. Langella attended Washington Elementary School and Bayonne High School in Bayonne...
and later fellow soap actor Christopher Bernau
Christopher Bernau
Christopher Bernau was an American actor.-Life and career:Bernau trained in the drama department at the University of California before getting his big break, appearing in the New York Shakespeare Festival's production of Antony and Cleopatra in 1962...
(Alan Spaulding, Guiding Light
Guiding Light
Guiding Light is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television and radio history, running from 1937 until 2009...
) in the title role.
Concurrent with her Broadway run, Oehler joined the cast of the NBC daytime soap Another World in May 1978 as Vivien Gorrow, the eccentric but lovable maid of spoiled Iris Cory (first played by Beverlee McKinsey
Beverlee McKinsey
Beverlee McKinsey was an American actress.Beverlee McKinsey was born as Beverlee Magruder in McAlester, Oklahoma on August 9, 1935. She was the daughter of Warren and Jewell Magruder of McAlester, Oklahoma....
and then by Carmen Duncan
Carmen Duncan
Carmen Joan Duncan is an Australian actress.-Biography:Carmen Duncan is known to Australian audiences as a character actress in films and on television...
). Oehler remained on Another World until February 1981, when she crossed over to AW's sister soap Texas
Texas (TV series)
Texas is an American daytime soap opera which aired on NBC from August 4, 1980 until December 31, 1982. Created by John William Corrington, Joyce Hooper Corrington, and Paul Rauch, the show was a spinoff of Another World...
in episode 134. After Texas was cancelled on December 31, 1982, the actress returned to Another World as Vivien for two additional runs (February 1983-May 1984 and September 1988-December 1990).
In the 1990s, Gretchen Oehler was diagnosed with cancer. She died in Moose, Wyoming.