Gail Brown

For the musician, see Gail Brown (musician).

Gail Marjorie Brown (née Ziegler; born October 11, 1937)^[1] is an American former actress. She is best known for her role as Clarice Hobson on the NBC daytime soap opera Another World (1975–1986).

Gail Brown
Brown with William Russ on Another World, 1977.
Born	Gail Marjorie Ziegler (1937-10-11) October 11, 1937 (age 87) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1967–1987
Known for	Clarice Hobson on Another World
Spouses	Michael Quinlan Brown ​ ​ (m. 1970; div. 1977)​ Gordon Duggan ​ (m. 1981)​
Relatives	Karen Black (sister)

Early years

Brown was born Gail Marjorie Ziegler and grew up in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, Illinois.^[2] She is a daughter of Elsie Mary (née Reif), a writer, and Norman Arthur Ziegler, an engineer and businessman.^[3][4] Her younger sister was actress Karen Black. Before she became a professional entertainer, Brown worked as a hatcheck girl, a typist and a waitress.^[3]

Career

Brown left home for New York City, planning to become a professional dancer.^[2] She became an understudy and dancer in a national touring company of Funny Girl.^[3] She also performed as Mimsey and as a showgirl in the Broadway production of that musical.^[5]

Brown played the role of Clarice Hobson on the soap opera Another World from 1975 to 1986 with sporadic on-off appearances following her departure. The role was notable for being the first comedic character on a daytime TV soap opera.^[3] In his book, Eight Years in Another World, head writer Harding Lemay stated that he intended the character of Clarice to last only two days, but he was so taken by Brown's performance that he decided to add the character to the storyline.

Personal

Brown took her professional name from her first husband, Michael Quinlan Brown, an actor and a writer.^[3] She was married to him from 1970 to 1977. Since 1981, Brown has been married to Gordon Duggan, with whom she has two children.^[4] They reside in Cold Spring, New York.^[4]