Celebrating the Life of SAG-AFTRA Member Rosemary Knower

Longtime Washington-Mid Atlantic Local member Rosemary Knower passed away on March 27 at the Lankenau Medical center in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.

Best known for her roles as Lady Macbeth and a schoolteacher in John Waters’ Hairspray, Knower was very active in local theater in Washington and Baltimore for over 35 years. She last performed at Arena Stage and was often in casts at Center Stage, Theater Hopkins, Everyman Theatre, the Vagabonds, Cockpit in Court, the Theatre Project and the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival.

Born in Baltimore, she was the daughter of Grat Bandy Hankins, an Army officer, and his wife, Stella Mister. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and a master’s from the University of Denver.

“She was really a great gal. As a character actor, you put her up for a director — and bam — she’d get the role. She loved what she did,” stated local casting director Pat Moran of Pat Moran + Associates.

The Washington-Mid Atlantic Local sends its condolences to the family and friends of Rosemary Knower.

Photo: Rosemary Knower