Mary Dodson
| Mary Dodson | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Mary Weaver November 24, 1932 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Died | February 15, 2016 (aged 83) |
| Occupation | Art director |
| Notable work |
Murder, She Wrote Mrs. Santa Claus |
| Spouse(s) | Jack Dodson (1959–1994; his death) |
Mary Weaver Dodson (September 24, 1932 – February 15, 2016) was an American art director known for her work in television. Dodson is credited as the art director for 102 of the 264 episodes of the mystery series, Murder, She Wrote, which aired on CBS from 1984 to 1996, as well four of the series' television movies.[1] Dodson received four Emmy nominations during her career: three nominations for her work on Murder, She Wrote and one nomination for the 1996 television film, Mrs. Santa Claus, which also stars Angela Lansbury.[1] She is believed to be the first woman to become a member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Art Directors, now known as the Art Directors Guild (ADG).[1]
Dodson, born Mary Weaver, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 24, 1932.[1] She was the younger sister of actor Fritz Weaver.[1] Dodson received her bachelor's degree from the former Carnegie Tech University, which is now part of Carnegie Mellon University.[1] She moved to New York City after college, where she was hired by The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.[1]
Her credits also included art direction The Jack Benny Hour, Columbo, Taxi, Battlestar Galactica, Falcon Crest, and Full House.[1]
Mary Dodson, a resident of Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, died from complications of Parkinson’s disease on February 15, 2016, at the age of 83.[1] She was survived by two daughters, Amy and Cristina, and her two brothers, Daniel Weaver and actor Fritz Weaver.[1]
Dodson's husband, actor Jack Dodson, who died in 1994, was best known for his role Howard Sprague on The Andy Griffith Show and the spin-off, Mayberry R.F.D..[1]