The Waltons actress, who also worked with Demi Moore and Helen Hunt, dies at 90

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Hollywood actress Mariclare Costello has died at the age of 90.

According to the Peoria Journal Star, she died on April 17th in Brooklyn, New York.

The actress was most famous for her role on the television series The Waltons, where she played Rosemary Hunter Fordwick from 1972 to 1977.

She continued her career with roles in other shows, including “The Fitzpatricks” in 1977, where she starred as the family matriarch, Maggie Fitzpatrick, alongside Helen Hunt and Jimmy McNichol.

I’ve always been a huge fan, so I was thrilled to see her in films like ‘After the Fall’ back in 1974 – what a cast with Faye Dunaway and Christopher Plummer! And then years later, she was fantastic in ‘Indecent Proposal’ with Demi Moore and Robert Redford. Those are two movies I’ve watched countless times.

‘Her gift was rare,’ her family wrote in an obituary.

She had a knack for helping people shift their focus outward, getting them engaged in a task and allowing their creativity to flow.

The actor was also a great cook, loved rescuing stray animals, and had a talent for interior design.

Her family remembered her as a truly attentive person in all aspects of her life. She had a gift for connecting with anyone, a genuine curiosity about the world, and always knew the right questions to ask.

She is remembered by her daughter, Arin, and Arin’s partner, Ethan, as well as her granddaughter, Bird. She also leaves behind her stepdaughters, Amy and Doon, and several nieces and a nephew.

A funeral service will be held in New York City, with burial and remembrance planned in Peoria.

She began her acting career in 1967 with a part in ‘The Tiger Makes Out,’ and later appeared in the television series ‘NYPD,’ ‘Pound,’ and ‘Storefront Lawyers’.

In 1971 the star had a memorable role as both Emily and Abigail on Let’s Scare Jessica To Death.

The star also popped up on Kojak, Barnaby Jones, Harry O, The Incredible Hulk and Lou Grant.

In 1980 she appeared as Audrey Butler in the award-winning movie Ordinary People.

Costello played Helen Crane on The Little House On The Prairie in 1980.

She’s best remembered for playing Anita Boyer in a 1982 episode of the TV series Hart to Hart, which starred Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers.

In the 1990s, she appeared on Santa Barbara, Chicago Hope and Judging Amy. 

Her last TV acting role was as Helen Norris on Providence in 2002.

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2026-04-27 23:19