Margaret Whitton, ‘Secret of My Success’ Actress, Dies at 67
Margaret Whitton, known for her roles in 1980s hit comedies “Major League” and “The Secret of My Success,” has died at the age of 67.
She had a short battle with cancer and died peacefully on Sunday in her Palm Beach, Fla. home, her friend and producing partner Steven Tabakin told TheWrap.
Whitton worked with Tabakin at their Tashtego Films company where she was developing projects up until a few months ago.
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Her body of acting work spanned three decades. One of her final film roles was in 1994’s “Major League II.”
She played Kim Basinger’s best friend in the 1986 erotic thriller “9 1/2 Weeks” and a married woman in hot pursuit of Michael J. Fox in the 1987 comedy, “The Secret of My Success.” She also appeared in 1987’s “Ironweed” with Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep and opposite Mel Gibson in 1993’s “The Man Without a Face.”
Her television work included the series “Good & Evil” and “A Fine Romance.”
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Whitton got her start off-Broadway in a 1973 production of “Baba Goya,” also starring Olympia Dukakis. She made her way to Broadway in 1982’s “Steaming,” in which she appeared nude opposite good friend Judith Ivey. (It was set in a women’s Turkish bath.)
She also appeared on stage in “The Apple Doesn’t Fall” (1996) and “Marlene” (1999), in addition to the national tour of “Dracula” with Raul Julia.
Whitton formed Tashtego Films with her husband Warren Spector in 2008. The company supported the 2012 documentary “Casting By,” about Whitton’s friend, the noted casting director Marion Dougherty.
Whitton is survived by her husband, Spector, of 23 years. A memorial service is being planned for early 2017 in New York City.
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