Deborah Rush

Deborah Rush

71 · Born: Apr 10, 1954

Personal Details

BornApr 10, 1954 Chatham, New Jersey, USA
Spouse
  • Chip Cronkite

    ( Jun 22, 1985 to May 22, 2025 )
  • John Bottoms

    ( Jan 4, 1980 to Dec 31, 1969 )

Biography

Deborah Rush, a delightfully offbeat and redheaded comedic actress, was born on April 10, 1954, in Chatham, New Jersey. She developed an early interest in making people laugh as a child and pursued acting headfirst after high school.

Rush began her career by apprenticing with the Play-House of the Ridiculous comedy troupe and made her Broadway debut in the Tony-winning musical "Dance with Me" in 1975. She went on to appear in numerous New York Shakespeare productions for Joseph Papp, including "The Misanthrope," "All's Well That Ends Well," and "The Taming of the Shrew."

Rush's film and television career began in the late 1970s, with a bit part in Oliver's Story (1978) and a more notable role in 10 (1979). She continued to work in film and television throughout the 1980s, appearing in projects such as "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (1982),"Alice at the Palace" (1982),and "Noises Off" (1983),for which she received a Tony nomination.

In the 1990s, Rush appeared in a number of films, including "My Blue Heaven" (1990),"Passed Away" (1992),"Reckless" (1995),and "In & Out" (1997). She also had recurring roles on the television series "Spin City" (1996) and "Strangers with Candy" (1999).

In the 2000s, Rush continued to work in film and television, appearing in projects such as "The Good Girl" (2002),"American Wedding" (2003),and "Half Nelson" (2006). She also returned to the stage, appearing in the Broadway revival of "Absurd Person Singular" in 2005 and the off-Broadway production of "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot" in 2005.

Rush has been married to Chip Cronkite, son of the iconic news anchor Walter Cronkite, since 1985, and they have two sons together.

Career

{"id":12134,"title":"Search Party","year":2021,"character":"Gertrude","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/search-party","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/323ddd2ukvrg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/323ddd2ukvrg.jpg"},"released":1}
2021
Search Party
Search Party as Gertrude
{"id":67,"title":"The Blacklist","year":2019,"character":"Stella Bisset","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-blacklist","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/3svuh8986jqg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/3svuh8986jqg.jpg"},"released":1}
2019
The Blacklist
The Blacklist as Stella Bisset
{"id":170336,"title":"Accommodations","year":"2018","character":"Victoria Maason","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/accommodations","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_170336.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_170336.jpg"},"released":1}
2018
Accommodations
Accommodations as Victoria Maason
{"id":104616,"title":"Women Who Kill","year":"2016","character":"Grace","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/women-who-kill-2016","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_104616.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_104616.jpg"},"released":1}
2016
{"id":36316,"title":"Ava's Possessions","year":"2015","character":"Joanna","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/avas-possessions-2015","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_36316.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_36316.jpg"},"released":1}
2015
{"id":8,"title":"Orange Is the New Black","year":2013,"character":"Carol Chapman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/orange-is-the-new-black","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/1eketu9fb1e0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/1eketu9fb1e0.jpg"},"released":1}
2013
{"id":167689,"title":"Rhymes with Banana","year":"2012","character":"Jane","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/rhymes-with-banana","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_167689.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_167689.jpg"},"released":1}
2012
{"id":11322,"title":"Big Lake","year":2010,"character":"Linda Franklin","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/big-lake","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_11322.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_11322.jpg"},"released":1}
2010
Big Lake
Big Lake as Linda Franklin
{"id":1226,"title":"The Box","year":"2009","character":"Clymene Steward","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-box","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/54bh9id4s6v0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/54bh9id4s6v0.jpg"},"released":1}
2009
The Box
The Box as Clymene Steward
{"id":1378,"title":"Julie & Julia","year":"2009","character":"Avis De Voto","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/julie-julia","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5gqq16k82g60.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5gqq16k82g60.jpg"},"released":1}
Julie & Julia
Julie & Julia as Avis De Voto
{"id":4358,"title":"Lie to Me","year":"2008","character":"Katherine","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/lie-to-me","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/26rd0fnp289g.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/26rd0fnp289g.jpg"},"released":1}
2008
Lie to Me
Lie to Me as Katherine
{"id":47970,"title":"The Good Life","year":"2007","character":"Diane","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-good-life-2007","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_47970.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_47970.jpg"},"released":1}
2007
{"id":16645,"title":"The Visitor","year":"2007","character":"Upper Eastside Woman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-visitor","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_16645.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_16645.jpg"},"released":1}
The Visitor
The Visitor as Upper Eastside Woman
{"id":48971,"title":"Strangers with Candy","year":"2006","character":"Sara Blank","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/strangers-with-candy","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_48971.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_48971.jpg"},"released":1}
2006
{"id":8023,"title":"Half Nelson","year":"2006","character":"Jo Dunne","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/half-nelson","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1par76lk8g60.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1par76lk8g60.jpg"},"released":1}
Half Nelson
Half Nelson as Jo Dunne
{"id":67,"title":"American Wedding","year":"2003","character":"Mary Flaherty","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/american-wedding","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4gsdt8cp20e0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4gsdt8cp20e0.jpg"},"released":1}
2003
American Wedding
American Wedding as Mary Flaherty
{"id":6789,"title":"The Good Girl","year":"2002","character":"Gwen Jackson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-good-girl","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/491sicvvdvc0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/491sicvvdvc0.jpg"},"released":1}
2002
The Good Girl
The Good Girl as Gwen Jackson
{"id":3382,"title":"Bad Company","year":"2002","character":"Mrs. Peterson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bad-company","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1ehhlucfc1io.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1ehhlucfc1io.jpg"},"released":1}
Bad Company
Bad Company as Mrs. Peterson
{"id":7032,"title":"Three to Tango","year":"1999","character":"Lenore","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/three-to-tango","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7depmne8gg10.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7depmne8gg10.jpg"},"released":1}
1999
{"id":77855,"title":"Advice from a Caterpillar","year":"1999","character":"Diner Hostess","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/advice-from-a-caterpillar","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_77855.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_77855.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":9475,"title":"Strangers with Candy","year":1999,"character":"Sarah Blank","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/strangers-with-candy","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/3ok1tl86i8dg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/3ok1tl86i8dg.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":2692,"title":"You've Got Mail","year":"1998","character":"Veronica Cash","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/youve-got-mail","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/68l70fj3h6p0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/68l70fj3h6p0.jpg"},"released":1}
1998
You've Got Mail
You've Got Mail as Veronica Cash
{"id":28734,"title":"In & Out","year":"1997","character":"Ava Blazer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/in-out","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_28734.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_28734.jpg"},"released":1}
1997
In & Out
In & Out as Ava Blazer
{"id":215,"title":"Law & Order","year":1997,"character":"Frances Houston","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/law-order-1990","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/3rrlno6q9mag.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/3rrlno6q9mag.jpg"},"released":1}
Law & Order
Law & Order as Frances Houston
{"id":57536,"title":"Reckless","year":"1995","character":"Trish","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/reckless-1995","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_57536.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_57536.jpg"},"released":1}
1995
Reckless
Reckless as Trish
{"id":159281,"title":"Unnatural Pursuits","year":"1992","character":"Stephanie Didcot","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/unnatural-pursuits","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_159281.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_159281.jpg"},"released":1}
1992
Unnatural Pursuits
Unnatural Pursuits as Stephanie Didcot
{"id":7809,"title":"Passed Away","year":"1992","character":"Denise Scanlan","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/passed-away","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_7809.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_7809.jpg"},"released":1}
Passed Away
Passed Away as Denise Scanlan
{"id":5058,"title":"My Blue Heaven","year":"1990","character":"Linda","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/my-blue-heaven","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7hhpefq12v50.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7hhpefq12v50.jpg"},"released":1}
1990
{"id":6909,"title":"Family Business","year":"1989","character":"Michele Dempsey","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/family-business","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/31jg2ommkk4g.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/31jg2ommkk4g.jpg"},"released":1}
1989
Family Business
Family Business as Michele Dempsey
{"id":8549,"title":"Parents","year":"1989","character":"Mrs. Gladys Zellner","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/parents","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6j7j9pb6drs0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6j7j9pb6drs0.jpg"},"released":1}
Parents
Parents as Mrs. Gladys Zellner
{"id":6702,"title":"She-Devil","year":"1989","character":"'People Reporter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/she-devil","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_6702.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_6702.jpg"},"released":1}
She-Devil
She-Devil as 'People Reporter
{"id":6114,"title":"Big Business","year":"1988","character":"Binky Shelton","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/big-business","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_6114.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_6114.jpg"},"released":1}
1988
Big Business
Big Business as Binky Shelton
{"id":61806,"title":"Heat","year":"1986","character":"D.D.","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/heat-1986","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_61806.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_61806.jpg"},"released":1}
1986
Heat
Heat as D.D.
{"id":62227,"title":"Compromising Positions","year":"1985","character":"Brenda Dunck","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/compromising-positions","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_62227.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_62227.jpg"},"released":1}
1985
{"id":7021,"title":"The Purple Rose of Cairo","year":"1985","character":"Rita","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-purple-rose-of-cairo","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/31qcptng191g.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/31qcptng191g.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":7598,"title":"A Night in Heaven","year":"1983","character":"Patsy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-night-in-heaven","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_7598.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_7598.jpg"},"released":1}
1983
{"id":6942,"title":"Zelig","year":"1983","character":"Lita Fox","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/zelig","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5i4nqfdb0k70.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5i4nqfdb0k70.jpg"},"released":1}
Zelig
Zelig as Lita Fox
{"id":63504,"title":"Alice at the Palace","year":"1982","character":"Alice's Mother","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/alice-at-the-palace","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_63504.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_63504.jpg"},"released":1}
1982
Alice at the Palace
Alice at the Palace as Alice's Mother
{"id":63320,"title":"Split Image","year":"1982","character":"Judith","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/split-image","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_63320.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_63320.jpg"},"released":1}
Split Image
Split Image as Judith
{"id":8183,"title":"Honky Tonk Freeway","year":"1981","character":"Sister Mary Magdalene","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/honky-tonk-freeway","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_8183.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_8183.jpg"},"released":1}
1981
Honky Tonk Freeway
Honky Tonk Freeway as Sister Mary Magdalene
{"id":63681,"title":"Kiss Me, Petruchio","year":"1981","character":"Bianca","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/kiss-me-petruchio","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_63681.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_63681.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":5961,"title":"10","year":"1979","character":"Dental assistant","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/10","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_5961.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_5961.jpg"},"released":1}
1979
10
10 as Dental assistant
{"id":22456,"title":"Oliver's Story","year":"1978","character":"Girl in Bar","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/olivers-story","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_22456.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_22456.jpg"},"released":1}
1978
Oliver's Story
Oliver's Story as Girl in Bar
{"id":191124,"title":"A Good Dissonance Like a Man","year":"1977","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-good-dissonance-like-a-man","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_191124.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_191124.jpg"},"released":1}
1977