Nancy Dussault (born June 30, 1936) is an American actress and singer whose career has spanned more than five decades across Broadway, film, and television. Blessed with a versatile voice and a relaxed comic intelligence, Dussault moved fluidly between musical theater and television comedy, earning two Tony Award nominations and leaving a lasting impression as one of the most reliable and understated performers of her generation. She is best remembered by television audiences for her role as Muriel Rush on the long-running sitcom Too Close for Comfort.
Broadway and Stage Career
Dussault emerged as a Broadway talent in the early 1960s, quickly establishing herself as a performer equally comfortable with comedy, classical musical theater, and demanding vocal work. In 1961, she earned her first Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Do Re Mi, where she held her own alongside seasoned comic performers such as Phil Silvers and Nancy Walker. Critics noted her ability to command attention without overpowering a scene, a quality that would define her career.
In 1962, Dussault stepped into the iconic role of Maria in The Sound of Music on Broadway, further solidifying her reputation as a capable soprano with warmth and clarity rather than operatic stiffness. She received her second Tony nomination for her performance in Bajour (1965), a musical that showcased her ability to shift between light comedy and emotional sincerity.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Dussault remained active in regional and repertory theater. She appeared in Quality Street at the Bucks County Playhouse, portrayed Peter Pan in productions at Melody Top Theatre and Sacramento Music Circus, and performed with the City Center Gilbert & Sullivan Company in New York, working alongside respected opera singers under the direction of Dorothy Raedler.
Her later Broadway work included appearances in Side by Side by Sondheim and a notable run as the Witch in Into the Woods from 1987 to 1989, stepping into one of Stephen Sondheim’s most demanding female roles. In the years that followed, she continued working in serious stage productions, appearing as Mrs. Peachum in The Threepenny Opera at the American Conservatory Theater and as Toinette in Molière’s The Imaginary Invalid.
Film Work
Although primarily known for her stage and television work, Dussault appeared in several films, most notably Arthur Hiller’s 1979 comedy The In-Laws. In the film, she played Carol Kornpett, the long-suffering wife of Alan Arkin’s mild-mannered dentist, providing a grounded counterbalance to the film’s escalating absurdity.
Television Career
Dussault’s television career began in variety programming during the 1960s, where her singing and dancing talents made her a frequent guest on shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Carol Burnett Show, and The Garry Moore Show. Her ease on camera and musical polish made her a natural fit for the era’s variety format.
In the 1970s, she became a familiar face on television, appearing regularly on The New Dick Van Dyke Show and as a frequent panelist on Match Game. In 1973, Carl Reiner developed The Nancy Dussault Show as a starring vehicle for her, though the pilot ultimately did not sell.
One of her most historically notable television appearances came in Barney Miller (1975), where she played a central role in the controversial episode “The Courtesans.” The episode’s battle with network censors drew significant attention and, according to series star Hal Linden, helped secure the show’s survival by boosting ratings.
Dussault also played a significant role in television history as part of the original anchor team of Good Morning America when the program debuted in 1975, co-hosting alongside David Hartman during its formative period.
Her most widely recognized role came in 1980, when she was cast as Muriel Rush, the wife of Ted Knight’s character on Too Close for Comfort. She remained with the series throughout its run, providing a grounded, intelligent presence amid the show’s broad comedy.
In later years, she continued to guest-star across television, including appearances on Mad About You (as the first actress to portray Jamie Buchman’s mother), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and anthology series such as $weepstake$.
Legacy
Nancy Dussault’s career reflects the path of a performer who never relied on flash or celebrity, but on consistency, skill, and adaptability. Whether anchoring a sitcom, stepping into a demanding Broadway role, or navigating live television, she brought professionalism and warmth to every medium she touched. Her work stands as an example of the durable, often under-celebrated performers who quietly shaped American stage and television entertainment for decades.
