Anne Pitoniak

Pitoniak was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, the daughter of Sophie (née Porubovic) and John Pitoniak.[1] She was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She spent two years as a civilian actress immediately after World War II, touring Japan, the Philippines and Korea for the Army's Special Services division. She met her future husband, Jerome Milord, then a soldier, when they were both in a U.S.O. show in Japan.[2]

In 'night, Mother she played a mother who tries to talk her grown daughter out of suicide.[3] The play premiered at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, before moving to Broadway. Pitoniak and co-star Kathy Bates received Best Actress Tony Award nominations for their work.[3] In 1994, Pitoniak received a second Tony nomination for her performance as Helen Potts in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Picnic.[4] She also appeared on Broadway in Agnes of God, The Octette Bridge Club, Amy's View, Uncle Vanya, Dance of Death, and Imaginary Friends.[4]

Pitoniak performed regularly at the Actors Theatre of Louisville for five years,[5] appearing in plays such as Norman's Getting Out, D.L. Coburn's The Gin Game, and Jane Martin's Middle Aged White Guys. She also worked steadily in film and television, including the 1983 comedy film The Survivors, the 1987 comedic drama films Housekeeping and Hiding Out and the 2000 comedy-drama crime film Where the Money Is. Pitoniak also had a supporting role in the 1985 film version of Agnes of God, where she played the mother of Jane Fonda's character after previously playing Mother Miriam Ruth in the Broadway version.

In 1987, Pitoniak played the role of Mary in the 1987 Cheers episode "Pudd'n Head Boyd" (Season 6, Episode 9). In 1988, she played Cornelia in The Wizard of Loneliness. In 2001, she played the role of Mrs. Berry in the Law and Order: SVU episode "Redemption" (Season 3, Episode 6).[6]

Pitoniak died from cancer at her home in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA at age 85.[7]