Ted Wass

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 NBC sitcom Blossom (1991–1995). Since Blossom ended its run in 1995, Wass has retired from acting and has focused only on directing episodic television such as Spin City, The Big Bang Theory, Less than Perfect and 2 Broke Girls.[1]

For the English association football player, see Ted Wass (footballer).
Ted Wass
Born
Edward Wass

(1952-10-27) October 27, 1952
Lakewood, Ohio, U.S.
EducationArt Institute of Chicago (BFA)
OccupationActor, television director
Years active1977–present
Spouse(s)Nina Wass (1996–present)
Janet Margolin (1979–1993) (her death)
Children3
Cast of Soap (1977). Back row, L-R: Robert Urich, Ted Wass, Richard Mulligan, Robert Guillaume, Robert Mandan, Jimmy Baio, Diana Canova, Arthur Peterson Jr.. Seated: Billy Crystal, Cathryn Damon, Katherine Helmond, Jennifer Salt.

Early life and education

Wass was born in Lakewood, Ohio[1][2] (just west of Cleveland). He was raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, (about 20 mi (32 km) west of Chicago) and graduated from Glenbard West High School there in 1970.[2][3] He attended Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago (now at DePaul University).[1]

Wass trained as an opera singer and was also involved in rock and roll as a lead singer and guitarist.[2]

Career

Acting

In 1976, Wass made his Broadway debut in the original Broadway production of Grease, playing Danny Zuko.[1]

He made his television debut as Danny Dallas on Soap opposite stage veteran Katherine Helmond from 1977 to 1981, filming 101 episodes.[1] He appeared on Broadway with his Soap co-star Diana Canova in Neil Simon's They're Playing Our Song.[4]

Wass starred in Curse of the Pink Panther (1983),[1] 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.[5]

He played struggling musician Bobby Shelton (who trades his soul — and his family — to become ill-fated rock star "Billy Wayne") in the black comedy film Oh, God! You Devil (1984). He played a sports journalist caught up in a murder in female-Tarzan film Sheena (1984), which received five nominations in the Razzie Awards.[6]

In 1986, he starred in the TV movie Triplecross, directed by David Greene, in which he, Markie Post, and Gary Swanson are cops who receive a huge sum of money from a kidnap victim and become private detectives, competing against each other to solve cases.[7] This was intended as a 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. Along with many TV movies, he has directed episodes of over 40 TV series.

Personal life

Wass' first wife was actress Janet Margolin, who died in December 1993 at age 50 from ovarian cancer.[2] Their two children are Julian (a composer) and Matilda.[2] His second wife is producer Nina Wass, whom he married in 1996. Together they have a daughter named Stella.[8]

Actor filmography
YearTitleRoleNotes
1977FamilySam TraskEpisode: "A Safe House"
1977Handle with CareCpl. TillinghamTelevision pilot
1977–1981Soap (TV series)Danny DallasMain cast (77 episodes)
1979The Triangle Factory Fire ScandalVinnieTelevision film
1979The Thirteenth Day: The Story of EstherSimonTelevision special
1982I Was a Mail Order BrideRobert FitzgeraldTelevision film
1983Baby SisterDavid MitchellTelevision film
1983Curse of the Pink PantherSgt. Clifton SleighFeature film
1984SheenaVic CaseyFeature film
1984Oh, God! You DevilBobby SheltonFeature film
1985Sins of the FatherGregory Scott MurchisonTelevision film
1986The LongshotStumpFeature film
1986TriplecrossElliott TaffleTelevision film
1986The Canterville GhostHarry CantervilleTelevision film
1986Sunday DrivePaul SheridanTelevision film (The Disney Sunday Movie)
1987CBS Summer PlayhouseMickeyEpisode: "Mickey and Nora"
1988Shades of Love: Sunset CourtDr. Jimmy FieldingTelevision film
1988Pancho BarnesFrank ClakeTelevision film
1989Men (TV series)Dr. Steven RatajkowskiMain cast (6 episodes)
1989Fine GoldAndreFeature film
1990Sparks: The Price of PassionSteve WarnerTelevision film
1991–1995Blossom (TV series)Nick RussoMain cast (113 episodes)
1993Triumph Over Disaster: The Hurricane Andrew StoryBryan NorcrossTelevision film
1993Danielle Steel's StarErnieTelevision film

Director filmography
YearTitleTypeNotes
BlossomTV series18 episodes
Local HeroesTV series
CoachTV series1 episode
Mr. RhodesTV series6 episodes
The Jeff Foxworthy ShowTV series13 episodes
JennyTV series1 episode
Smart GuyTV series5 episodes
Soul ManTV series
The Secret Lives of MenTV series
CostelloTV series1 episode
1998–99Caroline in the CityTV series17 episodes
1999Two of a KindTV series1 episode
Oh, Grow UpTV series
NormTV series1 episode
Stark Raving MadTV series
Then Came YouTV series
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza PlaceTV series
My Wife and KidsTV series
2000–2002Spin CityTV series45 episodes
My Adventures in TelevisionTV series
Regular JoeTV series
Married to the KellysTV series
I'm with HerTV series
2002–2006Less than PerfectTV series
2006CrumbsTV series10 episodes
2006The GameTV series2 episodes
2006'Til DeathTV series
2007–2013Rules of EngagementTV series45 episodes
2007The Big Bang TheoryTV series1 episode
2007Two and a Half MenTV series7 episodes
Gary UnmarriedTV series
2007–2008Everybody Hates ChrisTV series
2009ScrubsTV series1 episode
2009Ruby & The RockitsTV series
2009BrothersTV series
2010Accidentally on PurposeTV series
$#*! My Dad SaysTV series
2010Melissa & JoeyTV series9 episodes
2011State of GeorgiaTV series5 episodes
2011–122 Broke GirlsTV series9 episodes
2012Sullivan & SonTV series3 episodes
2013DadsTV series2 episodes
2014UndateableTV series2 episodes
2013–14Last Man StandingTV series
2014–2015MomTV series16 episodes
2015CristelaTV series
2015Truth Be ToldTV series
2016The Odd CoupleTV series2 episodes
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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. 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.
  3. "History". glenbard1958. Glenbard High School Class of 1958.
  4. "Ted Wass". IBDB.com. Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  5. Brunsdale, Mitzi M. (2010). Icons of Mystery and Crime Detection: From Sleuths to Superheroes. ABC-CLIO. p. 184.
  6. Wilson, Staci Layne (2007). Animal Movies Guide. p. 18.
  7. Roberts, Jerry (2009). "David Greene". Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors. Scarecrow Press. p. 215. ISBN 9780810863781.
  8. "Ted Wass Biography (1952-)". FilmReference.com.
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