Mariann Aalda


Mariann Aalda is an American television, stage, film actress, performance artist, and stand-up comic.

Career

She is best known for her work in television as DiDi Bannister-Stoner on ABC's The Edge of Night from 1981 until the show's cancellation in 1984. For many years before that she was a writer-performer with the sketch comedy troupe Off Center Theatre in New York. Later, she appeared on the CBS show Guiding Light. She also had regular roles on the CBS sitcom The Royal Family, as the daughter of Redd Foxx and Della Reese, and the HBO series 1st & Ten, as the wife of O.J. Simpson's character.
Aalda also achieved notoriety recurring on the CBS sitcom, Designing Women, as Anthony's yuppie-from-hell girlfriend, Lita Ford, and on the NBC soap opera Sunset Beach as the tragically disfigured Lena Hart. Additionally, she co-hosted the lifestyle show Designs for Living on the USA Network and was a reporter for the magazine show NOW! on WNBC in New York. Her numerous guest-star roles are mostly sitcom.
Aalda has also appeared in movies, co-starring in the urban cult film Class Act as rapper Kid's clueless mom, and as Coach Harrison in Nobody's Perfect. She was also a featured player in Beaches and Pretty Woman, directed by Garry Marshall.

Film and television credits

YearTitleRoleNotes
1981–1984The Edge of NightDidi Bannister StonerUnknown episodes
1985What's Happening Now!!Theresa1 episode
1986'Angela Beauchamp1 episode
1986–19871st & TenEllenUnknown episodes
1988Hooperman1 episode
1989Designing WomenLita FordEpisode: "The Girlfriend"
1990–1991Guiding LightGrace BattlesUnknown episodes
1991–1992'Elizabeth Royal Winston15 episodes
1994Models Inc.Janet Johnson1 episode
1995Family MattersLoisEpisode: ""
1995'Eunice SimpsonTelevision movie
1996Grace Under FireStudent1 episode
1998The Wayans Bros.Casting directorEpisode: "Help a Brother Out"
1998Chicago HopeWomanEpisode: "The Other Cheek"
1999Sunset BeachLena Hart13 episodes
2000Veronica's ClosetBrian's MotherEpisode: "Veronica Checks Out"
2003'Hanna FosterEpisode: "Join the Club"
2006All of UsMurielEpisode: ""