Sonya Eddy
Sonya Eddy | |
|---|---|
 Eddy in Seinfeld (1998) | |
| Born | June 17, 1967 Concord, California, U.S. |
| Died | December 19, 2022 (aged 55) Burbank, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1990–2022 |
Sonya Eddy (June 17, 1967 – December 19, 2022)[1][2][3] was an American actress. She was best known for playing Epiphany Johnson in the American ABC soap opera General Hospital (2006—2022) for which she won a posthumous Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2023.[4][5]
Early life and education
Eddy was born in Concord, California, on June 17, 1967.[6][7] She majored in theatre and dance at University of California, Davis and received her B.A. in 1992.[8]
Career
Eddy made her acting debut in the West Coast premiere of Ruby Dee's play Zora Is My Name in 1990.[6] Other stage credits included The Comedy of Errors, The Witch in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods and Bloody Mary in South Pacific.[9] In 1995, Eddy moved to Los Angeles and appeared in such sitcoms as Married... with Children, The Drew Carey Show, Murphy Brown, Seinfeld and Home Improvement. She made her big screen debut playing nurse in the 1996 comedy film High School High. The following years, Eddy played "nurse" roles in a number of movies, include Sour Grapes (1998), Patch Adams (1998), Inspector Gadget (1999), and Seven Pounds (2008).[10] Often playing comedic parts, Eddy appeared in films Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), Barbershop (2002), Daddy Day Care (2003), Surviving Christmas (2004) and Pee-wee's Big Holiday (2016). From 2004 to 2005, she had a recurring role on Joan of Arcadia. She also played dramatic role in the 2006 biographical film Coach Carter.[10]
In 2006, Eddy was cast as no-nonsense head nurse Epiphany Johnson on the ABC daytime soap opera, General Hospital on a recurring basis. Eddy was upgraded to contract status in August 2007. From 2007 to 2008, she was a regular cast member on the prime time spin-off series, General Hospital: Night Shift for Soapnet. She was downgraded to recurring status in 2011.[11] She appeared on soap until October 20, 2022. She received a posthumous Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2023.[5]
Eddy also made guest-starring appearances on Reba, Monk, House, ER, Desperate Housewives, Mike & Molly, 2 Broke Girls, The Middle, Mom and Castle. She played Ramona, another no-nonsense personal nurse, in the FX sitcom Legit from 2013 to 2014.[12] From 2016 to 2019, she played Tammy in the truTV comedy series, Those Who Can't. She also had recurring roles on Fresh Off the Boat, Black Jesus and the miniseries The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey. Her final screen appearance was in the 2023 musical comedy film Dicks: The Musical.[13]
Death
Eddy died on December 19, 2022, at the age of 55.[10] Her cause of death was an infection after non-emergency surgery.[14][15]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | High School High | Nurse | |
| 1997 | Blast | Bena | |
| Motel Blue | Motel Blue Maid April Swanson | ||
| 1998 | Sour Grapes | Nurse Loder | |
| The Godson | Bank Clerk | ||
| Patch Adams | Annie | ||
| Sorcerers | Ruth | ||
| 1999 | Blast from the Past | Patrice | |
| Inspector Gadget | Hospital Secretary Mary Blakeson | ||
| 2000 | Nutty Professor II: The Klumps | Marie the Heavyset Woman | |
| Dish Dogs | May | Video | |
| Ten Grand | Aunt Ruthie | Video | |
| 2001 | The Jennie Project | Donna | TV movie |
| 2002 | Strange Hearts | Lynette | |
| Buying the Cow | Rhonda | ||
| Barbershop | Janelle | ||
| The Third Society | Arlene McGregor | ||
| The Fine Line Between Cute and Creepy | Thelma | Short | |
| 2003 | A Single Rose | Carlene | Short |
| Mi Casa, Su Casa | Belinda | ||
| Daddy Day Care | Sandy | ||
| Matchstick Men | Maureen Fisher | ||
| Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood | Yolanda | Video | |
| 2004 | Y.M.I. | DVD's Mom | |
| One Last Ride | Sally | ||
| Promised Land | Claire | ||
| Surviving Christmas | Elaine | ||
| Office Max: Motivational Poster | Marla | Short | |
| 2005 | Coach Carter | Worm's Mother | |
| Come Away Home | Sonya Warfield | ||
| Bad News Bears | Ruby | ||
| The Reading Room | Mrs. Carr | TV movie | |
| Lost in Plainview | Joy | ||
| 2006 | Gridiron Gang | Theresa Wendal | |
| 2007 | Year of the Dog | Nurse Willheima | |
| 2008 | Player 5150 | Jean | |
| Disfigured | Pam Jones | ||
| Seven Pounds | Nurse Edna | ||
| 2009 | The Perfect Game | Rose Bell | |
| 2010 | Trim | Liz | |
| 2011 | Answers to Nothing | Nurse Edwards | |
| Dorfman | Lil G | ||
| 2012 | K-11 | Teresa Luna | |
| 2013 | Miss Dial | Refried Bean Caller | |
| The Incredible Burt Wonderstone | Hanna | ||
| RockBarnes: The Emperor in You | Shante | ||
| 2014 | The Hive | Nurse Tessa Jean | |
| 2016 | Pee-wee's Big Holiday | Wanda | |
| 2017 | OH BABY | Nurse McQueen | Short |
| Fixed | Wang | ||
| Thumper | Nurse Daniels | ||
| 2021 | The Good Balloon | Denise | Short |
| Good on Paper | Judge Harriet Gold | ||
| I Live Alone | Olivia | Short | |
| 2022 | Frank and Penelope | Nurse | |
| V/H/S/99 | Debra | Segment: "Ozzy's Dungeon" | |
| 2023 | Dicks: The Musical | Sonya the Old Lady |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | The Drew Carey Show | Marie | 1 episode |
| Married... with Children | Arlene / Betty | 2 episodes | |
| 1996 | Martin | Lucille | 1 episode |
| 1997 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Nurse Carla | 1 episode |
| Saved by the Bell: The New Class | Angie | 1 episode | |
| Murphy Brown | Estelle | 1 episode | |
| Family Matters | Esther | 1 episode | |
| Arli$$ | Nurse Brooks | 2 episodes | |
| 1997–98 | Tracey Takes On... | Sonya | 2 episodes |
| Seinfeld | Rebecca DeMornay | Episode: "The Muffin Tops" & "The Bookstore" | |
| 1998 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Joanne | 1 episode |
| Any Day Now | Jasmine | 1 episode | |
| Martial Law | Anne | 1 episode | |
| To Have & to Hold | Delilah | 1 episode | |
| USA High | Lady | 1 episode | |
| 1999 | Home Improvement | Gayle | 1 episode |
| Malibu, CA | Bertha | 1 episode | |
| Touched by an Angel | Mrs. Taggert | 1 episode | |
| Providence | Impatient #1 | 1 episode | |
| Popular | Receptionist | 1 episode | |
| 2000 | Strip Mall | Nurse | 1 episode |
| Gilmore Girls | Cashier | 1 episode | |
| 2001 | Even Stevens | Mrs. Walters | 1 episode |
| Lizzie McGuire | Photographer | 1 episode | |
| The Invisible Man | The Maid | 2 episodes | |
| Diagnosis: Murder | Mrs. Troobnik | 1 episode | |
| Resurrection Blvd. | Hospital Receptionist | 1 episode | |
| Spyder Games | Hospital Nurse | 1 episode | |
| The Mind of the Married Man | - | 1 episode | |
| 2001; 2006 | ER | Student Affairs Secretary / Harriet | 3 episodes |
| 2001–02 | Primetime Glick | Miss Gathercole's Nurse | Recurring role, 5 episodes |
| 2002 | Felicity | Cop | 1 episode |
| Reba | Susan | 1 episode | |
| Still Standing | Carla | 1 episode | |
| 2003 | The Pitts | Meter Maid | 1 episode |
| Monk | Opal | 1 episode | |
| MADtv | Star Jones | 1 episode | |
| 2004 | Phil of the Future | Miss Donaldson | 1 episode |
| House | Sally | 1 episode | |
| 2004–05 | Joan of Arcadia | Female Custodian God | 4 episodes |
| 2005 | Less than Perfect | Security Woman | 1 episode |
| Inconceivable | Nurse Dawson | 1 episode | |
| 2006 | Malcolm in the Middle | Mabel | 1 episode |
| Day Break | Waitress | 1 episode | |
| 2006–22 | General Hospital | Epiphany Johnson | Main role, 543 episodes |
| 2007 | In Case of Emergency | Sonya | 1 episode |
| Everybody Hates Chris | DMV Clerk | 1 episode | |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Cab Dispatcher | 1 episode | |
| 2007–08 | General Hospital: Night Shift | Epiphany Johnson | Main role, 25 episodes |
| 2008 | Desperate Housewives | Vanessa | 1 episode |
| 2010 | Good Luck Charlie | Verna | 1 episode |
| 2011 | Glee | Angry Mom | 1 episode |
| Mike & Molly | Kay | 1 episode | |
| 2011–12 | The Middle | Senora Porter | 2 episodes |
| 2012 | 2 Broke Girls | Freddie | 1 episode |
| 2013 | Partners | Denise | 1 episode |
| Monday Mornings | Joanne Whitman | 1 episode | |
| Bad Samaritans | Regina | 1 episode | |
| Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous | - | 1 episode | |
| Baby Daddy | Priest | 1 episode | |
| 2013–14 | Legit | Ramona | Recurring role, 12 episodes |
| 2014 | Girl Meets World | Geralyn Thompson | 1 episode |
| Mulaney | Gerta | 1 episode | |
| 2015 | Mom | Angela | 1 episode |
| 2016 | Castle | Olivia "Mama" Toussaint | 1 episode |
| Crazy Ex-Girlfriend | Professor Andrade | 1 episode | |
| Adam Ruins Everything | Pet Store Owner | 1 episode | |
| 2016–19 | Those Who Can't | Tammy | Recurring role, 31 episodes |
| 2019 | A Black Lady Sketch Show | Principal Dixon | 1 episode |
| Black Jesus | Miss Emma | 4 episodes | |
| 2020 | Tommy | CPS Worker | 1 episode |
| 2021 | PEN15 | Grace | 1 episode |
| 2022 | The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey | Miss Delia | Miniseries, 2 episodes |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Saints Row 2 | Various | |
| 2011 | Driver: San Francisco | Additional Voices | |
| 2012 | Guild Wars 2 | Lyra Lancetooth, Riel Darkwater |
References
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (December 20, 2022). "Sonya Eddy, Beloved General Hospital Vet, Dead at 55". TVLine. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Mistretta, Amy (February 23, 2021). "General Hospital Star Shares Loss of Dear Friend: 'My Heart Is Broken, My Spirit Is Troubled'". Soaps.com. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "'General Hospital' Actress Sonya Eddy Dead At 55, Octavia Spencer Announces". TMZ. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ Lewis, Errol (April 26, 2023). "DAYTIME EMMYS: Sonya Eddy Receives Posthumous Nomination for Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress". Soap Opera Network. United States. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
- ^ a b "The 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Nominations" (PDF). New York/Los Angeles: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ a b "About GH: About the Actors - Sonya Eddy - General Hospital". Soapcentral. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^ Soap Opera Digest: Birthdays. p. 76, June 24, 2013 (DAYS CAN'T-MISS PREVIEW!) issue.
- ^ "Sonya Eddy Playing Epiphany Johnson on General Hospital". Soaps.com. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^ "About the Actors | Sonya Eddy". SoapCentral. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Sonya Eddy, 'General Hospital' Actress, Dies at 55". The New York Times. December 24, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ "GH's Eddy Bumped To Recurring!". ABC Soaps in Depth. abc.soapsindepth.com. March 2, 2011. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
- ^ "Sonya Eddy as Ramona in Legit on FX". FX.
- ^ Hirsch, Shari (October 11, 2023). "Exclusive: Megan Mullally Says Dicks: The Musical Is Her Favorite Thing She's Done". MovieWeb.
- ^ "'General Hospital' Actress Sonya Eddy Dead At 55, Octavia Spencer Announces". TMZ. December 20, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "Sonya Eddy, 'General Hospital' Actress, Dies at 55". The Hollywood Reporter. December 20, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
External links
- Sonya Eddy at IMDb
| Authority control databases: Artists |
|---|
- 1967 births
- 2022 deaths
- Actresses from California
- African-American actresses
- American film actresses
- American soap opera actresses
- American television actresses
- American video game actresses
- American voice actresses
- American nurses
- American women nurses
- People from Concord, California
- University of California, Davis alumni
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- 20th-century African-American women
- 20th-century African-American people
- 21st-century African-American women
- 21st-century African-American people
- African-American nurses
- American Roman Catholics
- California Democrats
- African-American Catholics