Comedienne Anna Meara was born September 20, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, to Mary (Dempsey) and Edward Joseph Meara, who were both of Irish descent. She and her husband, Jerry Stiller were members of the improvisational company, the Compass Players, which later became Second City TV (1976). They performed as a duo under the name "Stiller and Meara", and after some time became regulars on Ed Sullivan's show, Toast of the Town (1948). Their career gradually declined as did variety series. Anne went on to act in several television series. A regular on Rhoda (1974) as one of the title-character's best friends. She played the role of Sally Gallagher. Her performance in the series won a Golden Globe. She also costarred with Carroll O'Connor in the early 1980s hit sitcom Archie Bunker's Place (1979). She played Veronica Rooney. More recently, Anne had a recurring role on the HBO television series Sex and the City (1998). She played Mary Brady.