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Mary Cadorette

Mary Cadorette (born Mary Therese Cadorette; March 31, 1957) is an American actress and dancer best known for her role as Vicky Bradford, the love interest of John Ritter's character in the sitcom (1984–1985). Born in , she began studying dance at age five and later competed as in the 1975 pageant. After graduating from the with a degree in dramatic arts in 1979, Cadorette pursued a career in theater and television, performing in dinner theaters, with the USO, and on for three and a half years. Cadorette's breakthrough came in 1984 when she was cast as Vicky Bradford in Three's a Crowd, a spin-off of Three's Company, after auditioning against over 500 other actresses; the role required her to embody a charming, level-headed counterpart to Ritter's Jack Tripper. The series ran for one season, during which she also appeared as the same character in episodes of the parent show Three's Company. Her other notable television roles include a recurring part as Margaret Turner on Night Court (1990), guest spots on Who's the Boss?, Matlock, The Bradys, and JAG (1997), as well as a supporting role in the HBO film The Rat Pack (1998). In film, she starred as Kelly Johnson in the comedy Stewardess School (1986). After her last major acting credit in 2000, Cadorette left in 1999 to return to and care for her ailing mother. She co-founded the Chapeau Rouge Project in 2008 with fellow former students, focusing on encouraging older adults to engage in through classes and at the East Hartford Cultural Center; the group incorporates techniques influenced by her early training under instructor Mary Morlock. Cadorette has since participated in local theater productions, such as and , and earned a in arts administration from the in 2018. She has been married three times, with her third marriage to Michael Daly occurring in 2015; her second husband passed away in 2010.

Early Life and Education

Early Life

Mary Therese Cadorette was born on March 31, 1957, in , to parents Ernest Edward Cadorette Sr. and Theresa A. Gadbois Cadorette Kandrysawtz. She grew up in , where her childhood was marked by an early passion for the . From the age of five, Cadorette began taking classes, which quickly became a central part of her young life. She later participated in various dance competitions, honing her skills and developing a deep appreciation for movement and performance that would influence her future endeavors. Cadorette's involvement in pageantry during her late teens further showcased her talents and poise. In 1975, at the age of 18, she was crowned and represented her state in the pageant, performing a modern routine. This experience highlighted her emerging presence in the arts and provided an early platform for public performance.

Education

Mary Cadorette attended the from 1975 to 1979, earning a degree in Dramatic Arts and Theater. This program equipped her with comprehensive training in acting techniques, , and performance, laying the groundwork for her subsequent professional pursuits in theater and television.

Acting Career

Theater Roles

Mary Cadorette began her professional theater career on with the original production of the musical 42nd Street, directed and choreographed by , which opened at the on August 25, 1980. She performed as a member of the ensemble, showcasing her skills as a dancer in the show's elaborate and numbers, and also served as for the lead role of Peggy Sawyer. Later in the run, Cadorette took over the role of Peggy Sawyer as a replacement performer, contributing to the production's success during its extended engagement at both the and Majestic Theatres, which lasted until January 8, 1989. In the , Cadorette expanded her stage work into regional and productions, leveraging her training to perform in musicals. She appeared as Joan in a staging of the musical Dames at Sea, a satirical homage to Busby Berkeley films, and took on ensemble roles in a summer stock production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific. These performances honed her versatility in ensemble-driven musical theater, where her background in and informed dynamic group . Following her return to Connecticut in the late 1990s, Cadorette continued acting in local theater, focusing on community and repertory stages. In 2011, she portrayed Mrs. Gibbs in Thornton Wilder's Our Town at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre's Nafe Katter Theatre in Storrs, earning praise for her grounded, empathetic depiction of the maternal figure in the play's ensemble narrative. She also appeared in local productions such as Bell, Book and Candle. Her theater experience, particularly in musicals like 42nd Street, developed her proficiency in choreography, which she occasionally contributed to productions through dance arrangements that emphasized rhythmic precision and ensemble synchronization.

Television Roles

Cadorette began her television career with guest appearances and commercials in the early 1980s, including a role on in 1986. Her breakthrough came in 1984 when she portrayed Vicky Bradford, a and Jack Tripper's live-in girlfriend, in the final four episodes of . This role led directly to her starring as Vicky in the spin-off series (1984–1985), where she appeared in all 22 episodes alongside and . The character was depicted as an independent, level-headed counterpart to Tripper's comedic antics, contributing to the show's situational humor centered on their with Vicky's overprotective father. While received mixed critical reception for its formulaic plotting compared to its predecessor, Cadorette's performance was noted for providing a stabilizing presence in the ensemble. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Cadorette continued with guest spots on series such as Who's the Boss? (1989, as Deb in the episode "Sex, Lies and Video Tape"), Matlock (1989, as Donna in "The Scrooge"), Monsters (1989, as Sherrie in "Fools' Gold"), and The Bradys (1990, as Valerie). She also appeared in the television film Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder (1989) as Leslie Singer. A notable recurring role followed as news reporter Margaret Turner on Night Court (1990–1991), appearing in four episodes including "When Harry Met Margaret" and "Can't Buy Me Love," where her character pursued romantic interests within the courthouse setting. Additional guest roles included The Munsters Today (1990, as Dee Dee Nelson), Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1991), Eddie Dodd (1991), and the television film The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (1994, as Edwina). Later appearances encompassed JAG (1997, as Rebecca Bauwer in "The Guardian"), ER (1997, as Carla Kramer in "One More for the Road"), Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (1997, as Mrs. Baker in "Morning Sickness"), the HBO film The Rat Pack (1998, as Betty), and the television film Rhapsody in Bloom (1998, as Debra's Girlfriend #1). Over her career, Cadorette amassed approximately 25 credits, primarily in sitcoms and procedural dramas, though she received no major awards or nominations for these roles.

Film Roles

Mary Cadorette's contributions to cinema were limited, consisting primarily of a single notable role in a during the . She starred as Kelly Johnson in the 1986 comedy Stewardess School, directed by Ken Blancato. In the film, Cadorette's character is a klutzy symphony orchestra who joins a ragtag group of aspiring flight attendants at a quirky training academy run by a shady instructor. The plot revolves around the trainees' chaotic attempts to master basic skills like emergency procedures and , leading to a series of mishaps, including botched simulations and romantic entanglements among the ensemble cast featuring , , and . Cadorette's performance emphasized her character's physical comedy and wide-eyed innocence, contributing to the film's lighthearted, -style humor centered on underdogs overcoming incompetence through absurdity. No other theatrical film credits for Cadorette have been documented, with searches of professional databases yielding no additional feature film appearances, voice work, or uncredited roles in 1980s cinema. This sparse film output underscores the contrast with her more extensive television success, where she gained prominence in sitcoms, though her Stewardess School role briefly showcased her ability to translate comedic charm to the big screen.

Later Professional Activities

Return to Connecticut

In 1999, Mary Cadorette left and relocated to her hometown in to care for her ailing mother, who had suffered a . This decision was driven by family needs, prompting her to prioritize caregiving over her ongoing acting career in . The transition presented significant challenges, as Cadorette shifted from the high-profile environment of national entertainment to a more regional lifestyle in , where acting opportunities were markedly reduced compared to . She spent the next eight years devoted to her mother's care until her passing in 2007, during which time her visibility in major media diminished substantially. Upon returning, Cadorette engaged in initial local activities, including community involvement through occasional participation in regional theater as a way to adjust to life back east. This move ultimately altered her career trajectory, signaling the conclusion of her pursuits in and a pivot toward more localized endeavors.

Directing and Teaching

Following her return to Connecticut, Mary Cadorette shifted her professional focus to directing and teaching, drawing on her Broadway and television background to guide emerging performers in musical theater and dance. In 2016, she directed and staged at the Academy of the Arts (GHAA), recreating Jerome Robbins's choreography for key sequences like "Dance at the Gym," which highlighted the performers' technical precision and energy in a high school setting. The production faced logistical challenges typical of student-led efforts, such as coordinating large ensemble numbers within limited rehearsal space, but received positive internal feedback for its faithful adaptation and the cast's commitment. Cadorette has held teaching roles in dance, choreography, and musical theater at institutions including GHAA and . At GHAA, she instructs in , Luigi jazz, ensemble work, and tap as part of the musical theater department, emphasizing practical skills for young artists. Her contributions extend to , where she choreographed the 2019 Choreographer Showcase, collaborating with other professionals to create original pieces that explored through for middle and high students. This event featured diverse routines blending contemporary and styles, fostering creativity among participants. Cadorette's educational work continues actively, with ongoing classes reported by current students who praise her storytelling from her acting days to inspire technique and performance. She mentors young performers across , prioritizing conceptual growth in and direction over rote memorization, informed by her experiences directing productions like a high school version of 42nd Street. Broader contributions include guest workshops on audition preparation and stage presence for regional theater programs.

Chapeau Rouge Dance Project

In 2008, Mary Cadorette co-founded the Chapeau Rouge Dance Project with two childhood friends from dance school, Janet Fournier and Lynn Keating Moreau, aiming to revive dance for retired and older performers through accessible classes and community performances. The project's name, translating to "red hat" in , draws inspiration from the Society's ethos of joyful aging, symbolizing a playful embrace of lifelong artistic engagement for women over 40. The initiative focuses on encouraging former dancers to participate without regard for age-related limitations, emphasizing , , and emotional fulfillment through the Luigi method—a blend of , , and elements taught by their longtime instructor, Mary Morlock. Classes, limited to small groups of about 10 participants, convene twice weekly at the East Hartford Cultural Center in , providing a supportive space for "geriatric jazz" routines that challenge participants while honoring their past training. Key activities include themed workshops and recitals that highlight the group's creativity, such as their inaugural 2008 performance at an East Hartford community event, where members danced to "Big Spender" in humorous attire featuring walkers and housecoats to celebrate resilience and fun. By 2022, the project had sustained its volunteer-led operations, renting studio space to foster ongoing sessions that promote dance as a post-retirement outlet. Cadorette's motivation stems from her enduring passion for , nurtured since childhood, positioning the project as a personal creative endeavor distinct from her professional teaching roles. The effort has fostered community impact in by countering the stigma of aging in , inspiring older adults to reclaim movement and build intergenerational connections through shared performances and workshops.

Personal Life

Marriages and Family

Mary Cadorette has been married three times. Her first marriage was to Michael Eisen in 1982, which ended in divorce at an unknown date. She later married William David Harris in the mid-1990s, adopting the professional name Mary Cadorette-Harris during this period; Harris passed away suddenly on October 15, 2010, at the age of 62. On November 1, 2015, Cadorette married her childhood sweetheart, Michael Daly, with whom she had reconnected after decades apart, and she now uses the name Mary Cadorette-Daly.

Residence and Business Ventures

Following her return to in 1999, Mary Cadorette relocated to in 2016 along with her business, where she is based. This move aligned with a shift toward a more grounded lifestyle, allowing her to prioritize family stability and local community involvement after years in . In 2014, Cadorette opened Nug and Bug Antique Collectibles with partners Lynn Moreau and Paul Moreau, initially in . The store specializes in an eclectic assortment of furniture, accessories, and collectibles, emphasizing repurposed, reclaimed, and upcycled items such as refurbished wood pieces, glassware, jewelry, and shabby chic decor. In 2016, the business relocated alongside Cadorette to its current home at the Shops at Marlborough Barn, a multi-vendor village in a historic 265-year-old dairy barn at 45 North Main Street, , CT, enhancing its role as a community hub for affordable, unique treasures. As of November 2025, Nug and remains active with regular hours (– 11 a.m.–5 p.m., 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) and participates in seasonal local events at , including holiday displays and themed vendor showcases. The has expanded its online presence through its official website and account (@nugandbugantiques), featuring recent updates like a 2024 interior refresh and new inventory arrivals to attract both in-person visitors and remote shoppers. This entrepreneurial venture underscores Cadorette's embrace of Connecticut's small-town rhythm, blending her creative background with a focus on sustainable, vintage curation for work-life harmony.

References

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