Gary Forsythe

Maryedith Burrell is an American actress, comedian, producer, writer, and documentarian with a diverse career spanning television, film, and stage. Born in Gilroy, California, she pursued acting and theater studies at UC Santa Cruz and UCLA, where she received an acting award and was mentored by Jack Lemmon. Her early career included roles on television shows and work as a publicist, leading her to join the improv troupe The Groundlings and later The Second City.

Burrell gained prominence as a cast member on the sketch comedy show *Fridays*, where her characters, including the Friday Focus Reporter, were noted. Following *Fridays*, she developed a significant career as a screenwriter, contributing to Shelley Duvall's *Faerie Tale Theatre* and writing numerous films and mini-series for major television networks. Concurrently, she continued acting in starring and recurring roles on popular series like *Throb*, *Parenthood*, *Seinfeld*, and *Home Improvement*, as well as appearing in feature films and television movies. She has also worked as a producer for documentary channels and as a script doctor for major studios. Burrell currently lectures and teaches at universities, and has contributed as an author to various publications.

Maryedith Burrell, born Maryedith Ann Theresa Smith, hails from Gilroy, California. Her early education included Santa Catalina School, followed by studies at UC Santa Cruz. During her college years, she engaged in simultaneous work and study with prominent theater groups, including the American Conservatory Theater and The San Francisco Mime Troupe. Her theatrical training extended to workshops with The Royal Shakespeare Company and director Peter Brook, as well as Teatro Campensino under Louis Valdez. After transferring to UCLA, she earned a Hugh O'Brian acting award, with Academy Award winner Jack Lemmon serving as an early mentor. She completed her studies at UCLA in 1972.

Following her graduation, Burrell worked as a publicist for the Westwood Playhouse, where she connected with actors who encouraged her to pursue acting. She became involved with the Los Angeles improv scene, performing with The Groundlings and later with other notable troupes such as The Second City and The Comedy Store Players. Her transition to writing began when producer Ann Marcus invited her to write for *The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts* after seeing her perform with The War Babies. This opportunity marked the start of her career as a writer.

Burrell achieved recognition as part of the ensemble cast of the ABC late-night comedy show *Fridays* in 1979. Her performances, particularly as the Friday Focus Reporter and Battle Boy's mother, were memorable. Post-*Fridays*, she wrote for Shelley Duvall's *Faerie Tale Theatre*, collaborating with notable directors and actors. This led to a prolific career as a screenwriter, adapting works for television and penning original films and mini-series for various networks. She also maintained a dual career as a performer, starring in series like *Throb* and *Parenthood*, and holding recurring roles on *Seinfeld* and *Home Improvement*. Her acting credits extend to feature films and television movies. Additionally, Burrell has worked as a producer for documentary networks and as a script doctor for major film and television projects.

Relocating to Asheville, North Carolina, Burrell pursued a Master of Liberal Arts degree from the University of North Carolina Asheville. She now lectures at schools, seminars, and film festivals nationwide and holds an adjunct professor position at Western Carolina University. As a writer and journalist, her contributions have appeared in publications such as *Rolling Stone*, *The Los Angeles Times*, and *The San Francisco Chronicle*. One of her essays, 'An Affair to Forget,' is featured in the anthology *What Was I Thinking? 58 Bad Boyfriend Stories*.