Obituary of Rose Gregorio

August 17, 2023

Rose Gregorio (Grosbard), a celebrated actress, peacefully passed away in her cherished Greenwich Village home after a vibrant 70-year residency. Despite the passage of time, she remained fiercely independent, battling the effects of aging until succumbing to pneumonia at the age of 98.

Born in Chicago in 1924 to Italian immigrant parents Maria Sophia and Frank Gregorio, Rose's early years were marked by teaching her mother English. Her passion for acting ignited during her time at Sayre Elementary School when she was cast in a school play. This passion led her to Steinmetz High School, where she found fulfillment and joy being on the stage.

Rose earned a scholarship to Northwestern University School of Speech, where she quickly became immersed in the Drama department and even traveled to Italy for various productions. Subsequently, she secured a scholarship to Yale, where she honed her costume design skills, influenced by her mother's sewing expertise. While at Yale, she obtained a Master of Fine Arts and encountered Ulu Grosbard, with whom she fell deeply in love. They married in 1957, and their partnership lasted for 12 years until Ulu's passing in 2012.

In the 1970s, splitting time between Los Angeles and New York, Rose became more active in films, appearing in supporting roles. Throughout her career, Rose made notable appearances on both stage and screen, working alongside renowned actors like Robert Duvall and Robert De Niro. Her filmography included roles in productions such as "Good Time," "The Swimmers," "Deep End of the Ocean," "The Eyes of Laura Mars," "True Confessions," "Five Corners," "City of Hope," and "Who is Harry Kellerman and why is he saying those Terrible Things about Me?"

In 1977, Rose's portrayal of Agnes in the original production of Michael Cristofer's "The Shadow Box" earned her a Clarence Derwent Award and nominations for both Tony and Drama Desk Awards. She was also a prolific television actress, contributing her talent to shows like "Law and Order: Criminal Intent," "The Rockford Files," "Murder She Wrote," "Mary Hartman," "Falcon Crest," "The Practice," and "ER."

Her family and friends will fondly remember Rose Gregorio as a resolute New Yorker with strong convictions and unwavering dedication to her craft.

A visitation and memorial service in her honor will be held on Thursday, September 28th, 2023, at 10:30 am at the Greenwich Village Funeral Home located at 199 Bleecker Street, New York, NY, followed by her burial at Kensico Cemetery, 273 Lakeview Ave, Valhalla, NY.

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