Tony Winner Mary Louise Wilson
June 11, 2007 - We never knew her character's name, but she was officially billed as "Betty," one of the obscure relatives on hand during the raucous birthday party sequence in Barbra Streisand's film, "Up the Sandbox." Her name in real life is Mary Louise Wilson. Though she may have been an unknown bit player when she shared the screen with Barbra in 1972, Mary Louise Wilson has crafted a respectable career for herself in film, television (she was even featured on "The Sopranos"), and the New York stage.

Early in her career and long before "Sandbox," Wilson costarred with Liza Minnelli in "Flora The Red Menace" in the pivotal role of Comrade Ada. Her character was significant. She was the driving force behind the political subtext of the show, evident in her rousing rendition of Kander and Ebb's "The Flame."

In what is surely the crowning achievement of her career, Wilson was honored with a Tony award last night in New York, her first. She won the coveted Best Featured (supporting) Actress in a Musical trophy for her performance as Big Edie in "Grey Gardens."