Constance McCashin

McCashin is best known for her role as Laura Avery Sumner on the prime time drama Knots Landing, which she played from the show's debut in 1979 until its 200th episode in 1987.^[1] McCashin's character and that of fellow actress Julie Harris were written out of the show due to cost-cutting measures, with McCashin's succumbing to a brain tumor.^[2] Of the decision, McCashin said, "I was very hurt the way I was let go for financial reasons. I wish they'd handled my demise better".^[3]

During her career, McCashin starred in a number of made-for-television movies and appeared in several episodes of the CBS sitcom Brooklyn Bridge in the role of Rosemary Monahan. She was a contestant on the Dick Clark-hosted $25,000 Pyramid and a panelist on Super Password. She also competed with the CBS team during a 1984 edition of Battle of the Network Stars. She made her final screen appearance playing a supporting role in the 1999 comedy film The Out-of-Towners.

McCashin appeared at the TV Land Awards in April 2009 for the 30th anniversary of Knots Landing along with castmates including Kevin Dobson, Lisa Hartman Black, Michele Lee, Donna Mills, Don Murray, Michelle Phillips, Ted Shackelford, and Joan Van Ark.

After her Hollywood career, McCashin became a social worker and therapist, specializing in the treatment of eating disorders and body image issues.

McCashin lives in West Newton, Massachusetts with her husband, producer Sam Weisman. They have two children, Marguerite and Daniel, the latter of whom played the baby of McCashin's character on Knots Landing.^[4]