A Woman of Independent Means
A Woman of Independent Means is a 1995 American period drama television miniseries directed and produced by Robert Greenwald from a teleplay by Cindy Myers, based on the 1978 book of the same name by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey. The miniseries stars Sally Field, with Ron Silver, Tony Goldwyn, Jack Thompson, Sheila McCarthy, Brenda Fricker, and Charles Durning in supporting roles. It follows for some seven decades the story of Bess Alcott, from her Dallas marriage to her fourth-grade sweetheart Robert Steed to the birth of three children to the fussings with grandchildren.
The miniseries received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Miniseries and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special for Field, winning one for its costume design. Field was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance.
Cast
- Sally Field as Bess Alcott Steed Garner
- Ron Silver as Arthur Fineman
- Tony Goldwyn as Robert Steed
- Jack Thompson as Sam Garner
- Sheila McCarthy as Totsie
- Brenda Fricker as Mother Steed
- Charles Durning as Andrew Alcott
- Ann Hearn as Lydia
- Lawrence Monoson as Walter Burton
- Richard Dillard as Richard Prince
- John S. Davies as Howard Blackstone
- Rutherford Cravens as Marvin Hamilton
- Andrea Roth as Eleanor Steed
- * Emmy Barker as Eleanor Steed
- * Christina Stojanovich as Eleanor Steed
- Andrew Lowery as Drew Steed
- * Christopher Fox as Drew Steed
- * Cameron Finley as Drew Steed
- Matthew Loehr as Robin Steed
- * Trevor Meeks as Robin Steed
- John Slattery as Dwight
- Margaret Bowman as Old Nanny
- Pam Dougherty as Second Jessamine Sister
- Jimmy Ray Pickens as St. Louis Bellhop
- Gena Sleete as Mrs. Maxwell
- Angie Bolling as Mrs. Fleck
- Rodger Boyce as Eleanor's Doctor