Rae Allen, ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘Damn Yankees’ actress dies at 95

Rae Allen, the Tony Award-winning actress best remembered for her roles in Damn Yankees, A League of Their Own, and The Sopranos, died quietly in her sleep early Wednesday morning. She was 95 years old.

Many people who knew Allen regarded her as a “force of nature,” and she had a career to match.

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Rae Julia Theresa Abruzzo was born in Brooklyn, New York, and began her career in Broadway theatre shows after graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1947.

In 1955, Allen received her first Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance as the nosy reporter Gloria in Damn Yankees. In 1967, she was nominated for Traveler Without Luggage, and in 1971, she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little.

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Allen transitioned to television and movies in 1958, reprising her stage role in Damn Yankees. “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo,” her song, is still played at Yankees games today.

She appeared on shows like The Untouchables, Car 54, Where Are You?, and The Patty Duke Show in the 1960s. She was well known for her role as Edith Bunker’s cousin Amelia on All In The Family.

Allen had a stint on Soap in the 1980s, when she portrayed Judge Betty Small, as well as guest roles on The Greatest American Hero, Lou Grant, Remington Steele, and Hill Street Blues.

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The actress first appeared on Seinfeld as Mrs Sokol before landing a role as Aunt Quintina Blundetto in The Sopranos.

Allen got roles on Grey’s Anatomy, Joan of Arcadia, and NYPD Blue in the early 2000s. She appeared in films such as Reign Over Me, Stargate, A League of Their Own, and Where’s Poppa?

Her nieces Laura and Betty Cosgrove, as well as her adopted family, pals April Webster and Lisa Ann Gold, took care of her.

There will be two memorial services, one on each coast. Times and dates will be revealed later.