Veteran Hollywood actress Mariclare Costello has died at the age of 90. She passed away on the morning of April 17 in Brooklyn, New York, according to reports.
Costello was best known for her role on the beloved family drama The Waltons, where she portrayed Rosemary Hunter Fordwick from 1972 to 1977. Her performance made her a familiar face to television audiences during the show’s successful run.
She later continued her television career with roles in series such as The Fitzpatricks in 1977, where she played family matriarch Maggie Fitzpatrick alongside Helen Hunt and Jimmy McNichol.
Costello also appeared in several notable films, including After the Fall (1974) with Faye Dunaway and Christopher Plummer, and Indecent Proposal (1993) starring Demi Moore and Robert Redford.
In an obituary, her family described her as someone with a rare gift for helping others tap into their creativity. They also remembered her as a talented cook, a lover of rescued animals, and someone deeply curious about the world around her.
They noted that she had a unique ability to connect with anyone, asking thoughtful questions and showing genuine interest in people from all walks of life.
Throughout her long career, Costello also made appearances in popular television shows such as Kojak, Barnaby Jones, The Incredible Hulk, Lou Grant, Little House on the Prairie, Hart to Hart, Santa Barbara, Chicago Hope, Judging Amy, and Providence. Her final television credit came in 2002.
She is survived by her daughter Arin, granddaughter Bird, stepdaughters Amy and Doon, and several extended family members. Funeral services will be held in New York City, with burial and remembrance planned in Peoria.
Though she may never have chased the spotlight, Mariclare Costello built a career defined by warmth, talent, and quiet consistency. Through decades of memorable performances and the lives she touched beyond the screen, she leaves behind a legacy that proves not all stars shine the loudest—some shine the longest.
