Candice Bergen

Birth Data

Biography

American actress and model, beginning her career in commercials but moving into film while still in her teens with "The Group." She had an unexpected triumph as a light comedienne in "Starting Over," 1979 and "Rich and Famous," 1981. She reached a peak of popularity in the TV sitcom "Murphy Brown," which first aired 11/14/1988 and for which she won five Emmys. The production itself won 18 Emmys. It was a show that tackled real issues, with Murphy as a recovered alcoholic, a career woman and a single mom. She even closed the show on a note with which many women identified as a survivor of breast cancer.

A skilled photographer and author, Candice put out a photo book in 1979 and an autobiography, "Knock Wood," in 1984.

The daughter of beloved ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and model Frances Westerman, she appeared as a child on her dad's radio show. Reports indicate, though, that the bedroom made up for Charlie McCarthy, Edgar Bergen's dummy, was larger than Candice's. Personal footnote from Lois Rodden: Edgar Bergen had property near my mom's and he used to drop in to sit in her kitchen, have a cup of coffee and shoot the breeze. Totally unpretentious.

Sent to a Swiss boarding school, she returned to the U.S. to play homecoming queen. She went through college (a drop-out), modeling (top drawer), photography (skilled), a "Today" show commentator (intrepid) and an actress (versatile). Along with her public roles, Bergen played the private games of traveler, hippie, loner and lover, writer, wife and mother. Always a beauty, she had what is called a charmed life. Her playground was the halls of the Hollywood famed, she wanted for nothing.

As for men, the young Bergen seemed to be drawn to those who self-destruct. Record producer Terry Melcher was on the golden skids to pills and booze when they lived together. She partnered with producer Bert Schneider for a time, her requisite hippie period with "open relationships" and radicalism. At 34, Bergen married French director Louis Malle, 1980; they had one daughter, Chloe, on 11/08/1985. In spite of their odd schedule, often separated by an ocean, their relationship seemed to work quite well. They were both quick-minded and quick-witted, unimpressed by money and the ostentatious life style. She was widowed on 11/23/1995 when Malle died of cancer.

Bergen has made friends with the former women in Malle's life and his children and regularly reunites to enjoy holidays together. His children from his mistresses respect Candice, attended the marriage and continue a friendship.

On 6/15/2000, Candice contracted a second long-distance marriage, to New York businessman Marshall Rose, 62. They plan to divide their time between their respective homes in New York and Los Angeles.

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