Lily Lodge Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Lily Lodge April 12, 1930 – August 7, 2021 Lily Lodge was the eldest daughter of film actor, congressman, Connecticut governor, and ambassador, John Davis Lodge. Her mother, Francesca Braggiotti, was an Italian dancer, actress, and first lady of Connecticut. Her paternal uncle, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., held many public offices, including senator, ambassador, and vice-presidential nominee. After receiving a B.A. from Wellesley College, Ms. Lodge did graduate work at the University of London and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Returning to America, she began an acting career that included appearances on Broadway with Ruth Gordon, Jose Ferrer, and Helen Hayes. Off-Broadway, she co-starred with James Earl Jones in Oedipus Rex. Nationally, she toured and performed at regional theatres with such notables as Eva Le Gallienne, Joan Fontaine, and Gypsy Rose Lee. Ms. Lodge played multiple leading roles at the Margo Jones Theatre in Dallas, and co-wrote and performed her one-woman show “Choices” at the American Place Theatre in New York. “Choices” was the debut performance of Julia Miles’ influential Women’s Project. She performed in radio, film, and was seen on television in scores of roles in the 50s and 60s. In 1955 she became a permanent member of the Actors Studio. Ms. Lodge’s teaching career began at HB Studio in 1960, and she went on to train actors at the Lee Strasberg Institute. In 1984, she co-founded with Elaine Aiken the Actors Conservatory, where she would teach for more than 30 years. In later years, she served as acting coach and etiquette consultant for feature films including The Age of Innocence, directed by Martin Scorsese; Kate & Leopold, directed by James Mangold; and Mona Lisa Smile directed by Mike Newell. Lily touched the lives of thousands, and was loved and respected for her kindness, wisdom, openness, and generosity of spirit. She is survived by her sister, Beatrice Oyarzabal of Madrid, her son, Jim Marcus (Francesca), grandchildren, Thomas and Caitlin Marcus of Tenafly, New Jersey, and her son, George Marcus of New York. Services were held privately.