Phyllis Frelich obit

In Memoriam: Phyllis Frelich

 

She was not on the list.

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) mourns the April 10, 2014 passing of Phyllis Frelich, a dear friend and supporter who has contributed tremendously to our community on many levels and helped elevate visibility of our culture to unprecedented levels during her life. Ms. Frelich was a phenomenal actress who was the first deaf person to win a Tony Award, and did so as Best Actress in the theater production of Children of a Lesser God. Her performances were renowned and showcased not only in the theater including with the National Theater of the Deaf but also on television with roles in series such as Barney Miller, ER, Santa Barbara, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigations, as well as the television movie productions of Love is Never Silent and Sweet Nothing in My Ear.

Phyllis Frelich was born on February 29, 1944 in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota to deaf parents and was the oldest of nine deaf siblings. She attended the North Dakota School for the Deaf, from which she graduated in 1962, and then studied at Gallaudet College. In addition to being an accomplished actress, she was also talented in quilting and donated many of her quilts to the NAD for its auctions.

Ms. Frelich’s passing is a huge loss to the deaf and hard of hearing community and the world. The NAD thanks her for transforming society’s perception of our community with her wonderful contributions and skills.

 

Actress (19 credits)

 2011 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (TV Series)

Mrs. Betty Grissom

- The Two Mrs. Grissoms (2011) ... Mrs. Betty Grissom

 2008 Sweet Nothing in My Ear (TV Movie)

Sally

 2004 Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye (TV Series)

Helga

- The Holocaust Survivor (2004) ... Helga

 2002 Children on Their Birthdays

Mrs. Bobbit

 1999 Diagnosis Murder (TV Series)

Frances Lamar

- Today Is the Last Day of the Rest of My Life (1999) ... Frances Lamar

 1998-1999 ER (TV Series)

Dr. Lisa Parks

- Nobody Doesn't Like Amanda Lee (1999) ... Dr. Lisa Parks

- Stuck on You (1998) ... Dr. Lisa Parks

 1998 Pacific Blue (TV Series)

Helena

- Broken Dreams (1998) ... Helena

 1997 Santa Fe

Dr. Joyce Ginsberg

 1992 L.A. Law (TV Series)

Suzanne Bidwell

- My Friend Flicker (1992) ... Suzanne Bidwell

 1992 Hitz

District Attorney

 1991 Hunter (TV Series)

Barbara Collins

- Cries of Silence (1991) ... Barbara Collins

 1989 Bridge to Silence (TV Movie)

Amanda Wingfield (scenes from play 'The Glass Menagerie')

 1988 Santa Barbara (TV Series)

Sister Sarah

- Episode #1.1020 (1988) ... Sister Sarah

- Episode #1.1013 (1988) ... Sister Sarah

- Episode #1.1012 (1988) ... Sister Sarah

- Episode #1.1011 (1988) ... Sister Sarah

- Episode #1.1010 (1988) ... Sister Sarah

1986 Spenser: For Hire (TV Series)

Joan Cugell

- When Silence Speaks (1986) ... Joan Cugell

 1985 New Love, American Style (TV Series)

- How to Pick Up a Man/Love and the Mime (1985)

 1985 Love Is Never Silent (TV Movie)

Janice Ryder

 1985 Gimme a Break! (TV Series)

Martha

- Earthquake (1985) ... Martha

 1981 Barney Miller (TV Series)

Madeline Schaefer

- Stormy Weather (1981) ... Madeline Schaefer

 1967 NBC Experiment in Television (TV Series)

- Theater of the Deaf (1967)

 

Self (8 credits)

 2009 See What I'm Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary (Documentary)

Self

 2003 Working in the Theatre (TV Series documentary)

Self

- Production: Big River (2003) ... Self

 1988 The 9th Annual CableACE Awards (TV Special)

Self

 1986 The 38th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV Special)

Self - Nominee

 1986 The 40th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special)

Self - Performer

 1982 Night of 100 Stars (TV Special)

Self

 1981 The 35th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special)

Self - Presenter

 1980 The 34th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special)

Self - Nominee

2015 The 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV Special)

Self - In Memoriam