Carlin Glynn, the Tony-winning star of the Broadway hit The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, passed away on July 13 at the age of 83. Her daughter, actress Mary Stuart Masterson, confirmed her death on Instagram, sharing heartfelt words about her mother’s unique qualities. Carlin was known for her gracefulness despite her occasional clumsiness. She possessed strength, intelligence, silliness, intuition, kindness, generosity, passion, and the ability to truly listen. She was devoted to her husband and considered her students and collaborators as her chosen family.
Carlin Glynn was born on February 19, 1940, in Cleveland and grew up in Houston. She later moved to New York to study at The Actors Studio under Stella Adler and Wynn Handman. Eventually, she returned to Houston, where she met local actor Peter Masterson while working together. They fell in love, got married, and moved to New York City to support Peter’s acting career. Carlin decided to step away from the entertainment industry to focus on raising their children.
In the mid-1970s, Peter Masterson transitioned from acting to directing and producing. Inspired by an article, he collaborated with Texan songwriter Carol Hall to create the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Carlin Glynn was convinced to come out of retirement to portray Miss Mona Stangley, the madame of the musical’s “Chicken Ranch.” The show premiered Off-Broadway in 1978, with Carlin’s high school friend Tommy Tune co-choreographing and co-directing alongside Peter Masterson. It later moved to Broadway.
The production received seven Tony nominations and won two awards in 1979. Carlin Glynn won the Tony for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for her outstanding work. She reprised her role in the musical’s 1982 Broadway revival. In the film adaptation of Best Little Whorehouse, Dolly Parton portrayed Stangley opposite Burt Reynolds.
Carlin Glynn’s success in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas marked her return to acting after her role as Mae Barber in the 1975 film Three Days of the Condor. She also made appearances in movies like Sixteen Candles and The Trip to Bountiful, which was directed by Peter Masterson.
Carlin Glynn’s husband, Peter Masterson, passed away in 2018. She is survived by her children Mary Stuart Masterson, Alexandra Masterson, and Peter Masterson Jr. At this time, no details have been shared regarding memorial plans.
