Mariclare Costello, Veteran Actress, Dies at 90

Mariclare Costello, an American actress known for stage, film, and television work, died on Friday, April 17, 2026, in Brooklyn, New York, at age 90. The family announced her passing and listed survivors: daughter Arin Arbus (stage director), Arin’s partner playwright Ethan Lipton, granddaughter Bird, stepdaughters Amy and Doon, six nieces and a nephew.

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Born February 3, 1936, in Peoria, Costello earned a master’s in theater and education from Catholic University and moved to New York City. She was an original member of the Lincoln Center Repertory Company and a lifetime member of The Actors Studio. Her Broadway debut came in 1964 with Arthur Miller’s *After the Fall* opposite Jason Robards; she appeared in eight more productions, including *Harvey* (1970) with James Stewart and Helen Hayes. She debuted on film in 1967’s *The Tiger Makes Out* and portrayed a hippie-turned-vampire in the 1971 horror *Let’s Scare Jessica to Death*. On television she is best known for the recurring role of schoolteacher Rosemary Hunter on *The Waltons* (1972-1977) and as a regular on the 1977 series *The Fitzpatricks*. Guest appearances include *Ironside*, *Kojak*, *Little House on the Prairie*, *Lou Grant*, *Murder She Wrote*, *Chicago Hope*, and the TV movie *Shadow of the Blair Witch* (early 2000s). She also appeared in the 1974 TV movie *The Execution of Private Slovik* and the 1980 film *Ordinary People*.

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• 1936 – Birth in Peoria, Illinois.

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• 1964 – Broadway debut in *After the Fall*.

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• 1967 – Film debut in *The Tiger Makes Out*.

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• 1971 – Vampire role in *Let’s Scare Jessica to Death*.

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• 1972-1977 – Recurring role on *The Waltons*.

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• 1977 – Regular on *The Fitzpatricks*.

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• 2026 – Death in Brooklyn, New York.

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• Broadway productions: 9, spanning 1964-1970.

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• Television series appearances: Guest roles on at least 10 distinct series across three decades; regular on one series.

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• Film and TV movies: Notable film roles in two productions; TV movies include *The Execution of Private Slovik* (1974) and *Shadow of the Blair Witch* (early 2000s).

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Costello’s career spanned stage, film, and television, including major theatrical institutions and popular television series. Her roles in *The Waltons* and *Let’s Scare Jessica to Death* are noted as memorable parts of family drama and 1970s horror cinema. She portrayed both a schoolteacher in a family drama and a supernatural character in a horror film, illustrating the diversity of female roles on television during her career.

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The family’s statement confirmed Costello’s death and provided details for the funeral service in New York City and the subsequent remembrance in Peoria.

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Tributes from former co-stars and theater groups are expected during the scheduled funeral service and the Peoria remembrance ceremony.

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