Margot Martindale

We’ve long noticed that there are a large number of actors who regularly – who always deliver, who are always a delight to watch, some of whom even get a lot of work – but not a lot of recognition. We intend to start pointing them out to you – and unlike our early days, when whale oil powered the lantern shows, you can go out and buy or rent their film and television performances – and if you’re lucky enough to live in or near New York, or Louisville, Kentucky, and certain other places,

sometimes see them on the stage live in person. The first time I noticed her was on Dexter, playing a police records-room clerk. Without saying more, the story and character arcs depend greatly on Martindale’s character; the part grows slowly and imperceptibly. Her performance is revelatory; I found it quite moving. The Girl from Kansas¹ , whose professional paths crossed Martindale some years back, said that in her experience, Martindale has always been outstanding, in roles small and large.

So – check out Dexter, worth watching for reasons too numerous to mention here; Martindale’s performances are in Seasons One through Three.

Joe Baltake of The Passionate Moviegoer describes Martindale this way:

Now is the time to praise Margo Martindale, an actress who goes down easy, like a soft, soothing bourbon.

facade: Margo Martindale

We’re not sure that any of the reference sources we’ve checked so far provide a complete filmography – but we’ll stand by our recommendation of Dexter - and we suspect that, despite Ms. Martindale’s departure from the cast, viewers are likely to want to continue past Season Three. Here are some other ways to see and read about Ms. M’s work:

Fandando Filmography: Margo Martindale

The Margot Martindale Wikipedia entry is helpful, but doesn’t meet the internal Wikipedia criteria for biographical entries for living people.Wikipedia needs volunteers for matters of this sort, that’s what makes it good when it’s good. See Contributing to Wikipedia.

In Appreciation of Margo Martindale, by Eric D. Snider on the website Cinematical.

We’ve not provided an image because we haven’t yet located one clearly in the public domain; it’s our editorial view that actors – among other workers – often fail to get their due, not only with respect to their direct work, but also publicity materials. Not having sorted that out, we’ll hold out until we can locate an image we can use with her permission.

1. My wife, a woman flawed only by her questionable taste in men. [↩]

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