My favorite All My Children star Mary Fickett (ex-Ruth Martin) is featured in Fredericksburg's The Free Lance Star article HERE.It is hard to believe that one of the program's most talented, and vivacious actresses is now bedridden with a failing memory. Though she is probably must famously known for her Ruth's powerful anti-war speech after Phil was drafted to the Vietnam war, I will always remember her subtle performances on and around the days Tad died in 1990. Fickett is a class act, a real actor's actor.
I have made my opinions clear that I never condoned the recast of Ruth with Lee Meriweather. It appears as if the recast was surprise for Mary as well. Unlike the situation with many veterans today, Mary declined a sure contract to go on recurring. She was on recurring for a year before Lee came on. Mary, ever the classy woman, agreed to reprise the role from 1998-2003 after the falling out Lee had with the show in regards to her own contract's renewal.Though many criticize the show for pushing Lee's Ruth into the background, I thought it was so disrespectful to longtime fans and Mary, a founding cast member, to even recast. Now with it clear that Mary will never be coming home, I think it is time to finally retire the character of Ruth and give Mary the proper send-off that her 25 years plus career at ABC deserves.
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