Beth Brickell is a name that may not be familiar to many, but her contributions to the entertainment industry and political landscape have left a lasting impact. From her early beginnings as a stage actress in New York to her later work as a director and political activist, Beth’s story is one of perseverance, dedication, and success.
Besides her acting career, Brickell has been involved in investigative journalism, particularly concerning the Maud Crawford case, a prominent Camden attorney who disappeared in 1957.
Early life
Beth Brickell was born on November 13, 1941 in Camden, Arkansas. Brickell spent most of her formative years in Pine Bluff and Camden. She attended Arkansas State Teachers College and the University of Arkansas, where she studied history and political science. After graduating in 1958, she embarked on a year-long European tour, attending summer school in Scotland and teaching shorthand and typing in Rome.
Unfortunately, while we know quite a bit about Beth’s educational background, no data is available on her family background or whether she had siblings.
Beth Brickell career
Beth began her career as an actress, studying under the legendary Sanford Meisner and Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio in New York. She performed in leading roles in over 25 stage productions, including “Thurber Carnival” with Jean Stapleton, “Room Service” with Bill Macy, and “Take Her, She’s Mine” with Walter Pidgeon.
Her talent and hard work led her to Hollywood, where she starred in the popular CBS series “Gentle Ben” alongside Dennis Weaver. Beth’s TV and film career spanned over 100 shows and movies, including roles in “Posse” (1975) with Kirk Douglas and Bruce Dern, “Death Game” (1977) with Sondra Locke and Seymour Cassel, and “The Only Way Home” (1972) with Bo Hopkins. Her guest roles on “Bonanza” and “Hawaii Five-O” earned her Emmy consideration.
Transition to Directing
While teaching film acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute, Beth discovered her interest in directing. She took a Director Fellowship at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles and graduated with an MFA in film directing and screenwriting. Beth went on to write, produce, and direct a dozen films, including “A Rainy Day” (1979) starring Mariette Hartley and Tracey Gold.
The film received seven top festival awards and was broadcast on PBS. “Summer’s End” (1985), also written, produced, and directed by Beth, won 16 film festival awards, including a Blue Ribbon at the American Film & Video Festival in New York and a Gold Plaque at the Chicago International Film Festival. The movie was broadcast on Showtime, A&E, Nickelodeon, and PBS.
Beth also directed episodes of the CBS series “Knots Landing” and two dramas, “Little Boy Blue” (1975) starring Chynna Phillips and Robert Walden, and “To Tell the Truth” (1987). She developed the story for a CBS movie, “A Family Matter,” and a PBS miniseries, “Susan B.,” about Susan B. Anthony and the women’s suffrage movement.
Political Activism
Beth’s dedication to social and political issues led her to become an active participant in state and national politics. In 1988, she organized and supervised some 500 volunteers to get out the vote for the Michael Dukakis for President campaign in 50 Beverly Hills precincts.
In 1992, Beth organized and supervised a project that raised $250,000 for the presidential campaign of Bill Clinton. She also managed the campaign for Blanche Lincoln, who was running in a congressional primary against a 26-year incumbent in Arkansas. She won the primary and the election as a US Senator from Arkansas.
Beth’s passion for journalism led her to write an 18-article front-page investigative series for the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Arkansas Gazette” in Little Rock. The series, entitled “Mystery at Camden,” uncovered a motive for the murder of attorney Maud Crawford—a one-time associate of US Sen. John L. McClennan—who disappeared in 1957 in Camden, Arkansas. That crime remains unsolved to this day.
Beth Brickell Biography | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Beth Brickell |
| birth date | November 13, 1941 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 81 years |
| Place of birth | Camden, Arkansas, USA |
| Profession | actress |
| University | University of Arkansas |
| qualification | graduate |
Physical Statistics | |
| Height | in feet inches – 5′ 7” – in centimeters – 170 cm |
| Weight | in kilograms – 59kg – in pounds – 130 pounds |
| Hair color | Blond |
| eye color | Blue |
Beth Brickell Family | |
| Father | – |
| Mother | – |
| Sister | – |
| Brother | – |
relationship status | |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Who was Beth Brickell’s husband? | James V Spencer III |
| Children | Not known |
Personal life
Brickell was previously married to James V Spencer III for over 28 years before they divorced in 2020. She is currently single and no information is available as to whether or not she has children.
Beth Brickell Net Worth
Beth has seen significant net worth growth from 2021 to 2023. When she turns 81, many are interested in how much money she has accumulated during her career. It’s no secret that Beth Brickell’s main source of income comes from her success as an actress. Even though you’ve been in the entertainment industry for a number of years, it can be difficult to accurately estimate a person’s net worth.
However, after careful analysis and considering various factors like net worth and sources of income, we estimated Beth Brickell’s net worth up to 2023 to be around $3 million. It’s impressive to see how far Beth Brickell has come in her career and is still growing financially at this stage.
Facts About Beth Brickell
- She has appeared in many television films and shows and received Emmy nominations for her guest roles on Hawaii Five-O and Bonanza.
- Brickell is an award-winning filmmaker best known for her family short films A Rainy Day and Mr. Christmas”.
- Beth can also be seen on Instagram as @bethbrickell36.