Hollis Resnik obit

Hollis Resnik Dies: Legend Of Chicago Theater Scene, Film & TV Actress, Was 66

 

 She was not on the list.

Hollis Resnik, a Chicago theater legend who made her mark in productions of Follies, Les Miserables, Cabaret and Sunset Boulevard, died Sunday night from heart failure. She was 66.

Her death was announced by Rev. Jim Heneghan, a family friend and spokesperson.

“She was, for decades, a reigning diva of the Chicago theater,” wrote Tribune critic Chris Jones, “a rich-voiced star of musicals with a singular presence, a crackling sense of humor, and a larger-than-life persona, on and off the stage.”

Resnik was in the movie Backdraft and appeared on TV shows such as Crime Story, The Untouchables and The Playboy Club. But it was in national touring productions and on Chicago stages that she left her mark.

Resnik’s stage roles included Fantine in national touring productions of Les Misérables, Edith Beale in Grey Gardens at Northlight Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, Eva Peron in Evita at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse and Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard at Porchlight Music Theatre.

The actress reveled in her 2019 stint as Desmond, embracing the challenge of finding a fresh take on the iconic character. “Theater’s always crackling,” she told the Sun-Times. “There’s always something new to be discovered.”

She had played Fräulein Schneider in a recent production of Cabaret.

Resnik grew up in the Cleveland suburb of Euclid, Ohio, and received a bachelor of fine arts degree from Denison University in Ohio. She is survived by parents Betty and Reginald Resnik, brothers Paul and Mark Resnik and sister-in-law Mary Resnik. Plans for a memorial service are pending.

Actress (8 credits)

 2011 The Playboy Club (TV Series)

Mary Beasley

- The Scarlet Bunny (2011) ... Mary Beasley

 2006 Little Big Top

Aggie

 1998 The Settlers III (Video Game)

Q'Nqura (English version, voice)

 1998 Cupid (TV Series)

Linda

- First Loves (1998) ... Linda

- Heaven... He's in Heaven (1998) ... Linda

- The Linguist (1998) ... Linda

 1994 The Untouchables (TV Series)

Ruta Rohm

- Stadt (1994) ... Ruta Rohm

 1992 Angel Street (TV Series)

Cyndy

- The Blonde in the Pond (1992) ... Cyndy

 1991 Backdraft

Sally

 1986 Crime Story (TV Series)

Lillie

- For Love or Money (1986) ... Lillie