Alice Margaret Ghostley (August 14, 1923 – September 21, 2007) was a Tony Award-winning American actress and singer on stage, film and television. She was best known for her roles as bumbling witch Esmeralda (1969–70; 1972) on '' Bewitched'', as Cousin Alice (1970–71) on ''

Mayberry R.F.D. ''Mayberry R.F.D.'' (abbreviation for Rural Free Delivery) is an American television series produced as a spin-off continuation of ''The Andy Griffith Show''. When star Andy Griffith decided to leave his series, most of the supporting character ...

'', and as Bernice Clifton (1986–93) on ''

Designing Women ''Designing Women'' is an American television sitcom created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason that aired on CBS from September 29, 1986, to May 24, 1993, producing seven seasons and 163 episodes. It was a joint production of Bloodworth/Thomason ...

'', for which she received an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1992. She was a regular on ''

Nichols Nichols may refer to: People *Nichols (surname) *Nichol, a surname Places Canada * Nichols Islands, Nunavut United States * Nichols, California, an unincorporated community * Nichols Canyon, Los Angeles, California * Nichols, Connecticut * Nich ...

'' (1971–72) and ''

The Julie Andrews Hour ''The Julie Andrews Hour'' was a television variety series starring Julie Andrews that was produced by ATV and distributed by ITC Entertainment. It aired on the ABC network in the United States. Known as the Julie Andrews Show in the UK and air ...

'' (1972–73).

Early life

Ghostley was born in Eve, Missouri, in 1923 to Edna Muriel (née Rooney) and Harry Francis Ghostley, who worked as a telegraph operator. She grew up in

Henryetta, Oklahoma Henryetta is a city in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 5,927 at the 2010 census, down 9.6 percent from the figure of 6,096 recorded in 2000. History Hugh Henry established a ranch on Creek Nation land in 1885. He soo ...

. She attended the

University of Oklahoma , mottoeng = "For the benefit of the Citizen and the State" , type = Public research university , established = , academic_affiliations = , endowment = $2.7billion (2021) , pr ...

, but dropped out to pursue a career in theater.

Career

Stage

Ghostley first came to

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

in Leonard Sillman's ''

New Faces of 1952 ''New Faces of 1952'' is a musical revue with songs and comedy skits. It ran on Broadway for nearly a year in 1952 and was then made into a motion picture in 1954. It helped launch the careers of several young performers including Paul Lynde, Alic ...

'' and in the film version released in 1954. She appeared in the 1960 revue ''

A Thurber Carnival ''A Thurber Carnival'' is a revue by James Thurber, adapted by the author from his stories, cartoons and casuals (humorous short pieces), nearly all of which originally appeared in ''The New Yorker''. It was directed by Burgess Meredith. Follow ...

'' and in ''

The Beauty Part ''The Beauty Part'' is a 1962 stage play by S.J. Perelman. Production history After the success of "Malice in Wonderland," a 1959 episode of the '' Omnibus'' television series based on S.J. Perelman's ''New Yorker'' humor pieces, Perelman began ...

'' (1962), playing several distinct roles in each. She also performed in several musical comedies, including ''

Shangri-La Shangri-La is a fictional place in Asia's Kunlun Mountains (昆仑山), Uses the spelling 'Kuen-Lun'. described in the 1933 novel '' Lost Horizon'' by English author James Hilton. Hilton portrays Shangri-La as a mystical, harmonious valley, ...

'' (1956). In 1978, she succeeded

Dorothy Loudon Dorothy Loudon (September 17, 1925 – November 15, 2003) was an American actress and singer. She won the Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical in 1977 for her performance as Miss Hannigan in '' Annie''. Loudon was also nominated for T ...

, who had created the role of Miss Hannigan in the original Broadway run of the musical '' Annie''.

Television

A veteran of

early television Early may refer to: History * The beginning or oldest part of a defined historical period, as opposed to middle or late periods, e.g.: ** Early Christianity ** Early modern Europe Places in the United States * Early, Iowa * Early, Texas * Early ...

, Ghostley appeared as Joy, one of the ugly stepsisters in the 1957 musical television production of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's ''

Cinderella "Cinderella",; french: link=no, Cendrillon; german: link=no, Aschenputtel) or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale with thousands of variants throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsi ...

'', which starred Julie Andrews in the title role. The other stepsister was played by actress

Kaye Ballard Kaye Ballard (November 20, 1925 – January 21, 2019) was an American actress, comedian, and singer. Early life Ballard was born Catherine Gloria Balotta in Cleveland, Ohio, one of four children born to Italian immigrant parents, Lena (née Nac ...

. Twelve years later, Ghostley guest-starred as a harried maternity nurse on Ballard's comedy series, ''

The Mothers-in-Law ''The Mothers-in-Law'' is an American situation comedy featuring Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard as two women who were friends and next-door neighbors until their children's elopement made them in-laws. The show aired on NBC television from Septemb ...

''. Ghostley guest-starred on the

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...

police comedy, ''

Car 54, Where Are You? ''Car 54, Where Are You?'' is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 1961 to April 1963. Filmed in black and white, the series starred Joe E. Ross as Gunther Toody and Fred Gwynne as Francis Muldoon, two mismatched New York City p ...

,'' with

Joe E. Ross Joe E. Ross (born Joseph Roszawikz; March 15, 1914 – August 13, 1982) was an American actor known for his trademark "Ooo! Ooo!" exclamation, which he used in many of his roles. He starred in such TV sitcoms as ''The Phil Silvers Show'' and '' C ...

and

Fred Gwynne Frederick Hubbard Gwynne (July 10, 1926 – July 2, 1993) was an American actor, artist and author widely known for his roles in the 1960s television sitcoms ''Car 54, Where Are You?'' as Francis Muldoon and as Herman Munster in ''The Munsters'' ...

and in two 1961 episodes of '' The Tom Ewell Show'' starring

Tom Ewell Tom Ewell (born Samuel Yewell Tompkins, April 29, 1909 – September 12, 1994) was an American film, stage and television actor, and producer. His most successful and most identifiable role was that of Richard Sherman in ''The Seven Year Itch'' ...

. She was also a favorite of

Jackie Gleason John Herbert Gleason (February 26, 1916June 24, 1987) was an American actor, comedian, writer, composer, and conductor known affectionately as "The Great One." Developing a style and characters from growing up in Brooklyn, New York, he was know ...

, who featured her in his "American Scene Magazine" variety hours of the 1960s. In the recurring sketch "Arthur and Agnes", Gleason played a loudmouthed, inconsiderate braggart talking to Ghostley on her front stoop. Gleason's character treated her thoughtlessly for several minutes before walking away, leaving Ghostley alone to confide to the audience, "I'm the luckiest girl in the world!" She portrayed

recurring character A recurring character is a fictional character, usually in a prime time TV series, who frequently appears from time to time during the series' run. Recurring characters often play major roles in more than one episode, sometimes being the main f ...

s on several situation comedies, beginning with '' Bewitched'' in 1966 in "Maid To Order", in which Ghostley played an inept maid named Naomi, who was hired by Darrin Stephens (played by

Dick York Richard Allen York (September 4, 1928 – February 20, 1992) was an American radio, stage, film, and television actor. He was the first actor to play Darrin Stephens on the ABC fantasy sitcom ''Bewitched''. He played teacher Bertram Cates in th ...

) to assist his wife Samantha (

Elizabeth Montgomery Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery (April 15, 1932 – May 18, 1995) was an American actress whose career spanned five decades in film, stage, and television. She is best remembered for her leading role as the witch Samantha Stephens on the televisi ...

) during her pregnancy. Towards the end of the 1965–66 season, actress-comedian

Alice Pearce Alice Pearce (October 16, 1917 – March 3, 1966) was an American actress. She was brought to Hollywood by Gene Kelly to reprise her Broadway performance in the film version of '' On the Town'' (1949). Pearce played comedic supporting roles in ...

, who was featured as nosy neighbor Gladys Kravitz on ''Bewitched'', died. The producers of the series immediately offered the role of Gladys to Ghostley, who refused it. As a result, in the fall of 1966, character actress

Sandra Gould Sandra Gould (July 23, 1916 – July 20, 1999) was an American actress, perhaps best known for her role as Gladys Kravitz on the sitcom '' Bewitched''. Gould was the second actress to portray the role, debuting at the start of the third season. L ...

assumed the role of Gladys. In September 1969, after the death of actress

Marion Lorne Marion Lorne MacDougal or MacDougall (sources differ) (August 12, 1883 – May 9, 1968), known professionally as Marion Lorne, was an American actress of stage, film, and television. After a career in theatre in New York and London, Lorne ...

, who played Aunt Clara, Ghostley joined ''Bewitched'' as a semiregular in the role of Esmeralda, a shy witch who served as a maid and babysitter to the Stephens' household. Ghostley's character of Esmeralda was created to replace Aunt Clara's role as a bumbler of magic. (Coincidentally, Ghostley and Lorne shared a brief scene together in the 1967 film ''The Graduate'', a few months prior to Lorne's death and before Ghostley was cast in ''Bewitched''.) Ghostley's Esmeralda appeared in 15 episodes of ''Bewitched'' between 1969 and 1972. During her two years on ''Bewitched'', Ghostley also joined the cast of ''

'', playing Cousin Alice after

Frances Bavier Frances Elizabeth Bavier (December 14, 1902 – December 6, 1989) was an American stage and television actress. Originally from New York theatre, she worked in film and television from the 1950s until the 1970s. She is best known for her role o ...

's character,

Aunt Bee Aunt Bee is a fictional character from the 1960 American television sitcom ''The Andy Griffith Show''. Played by Frances Bavier, the character migrated to the spinoff ''Mayberry R.F.D.'' (1968–1971) when ''The Andy Griffith Show'' ended its run ...

, was written out of the series. She appeared in 14 episodes. On February 22, 1969, she appeared as Aggie on '' The Ghost & Mrs Muir'' (starring

Edward Mulhare Edward Mulhare (8 April 1923 – 24 May 1997) was an Irish actor whose career spanned five decades. He is best known for his starring roles in two television series: '' The Ghost & Mrs. Muir'' and ''Knight Rider''. Early life and career Mulha ...

and

Hope Lange Hope Elise Ross Lange (November 28, 1933 – December 19, 2003) was an American film, stage, and television actress. She was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress ...

). The episode was entitled "Make Me A Match". The captain and Mrs. Muir matched her with Claymore Gregg (

Charles Nelson Reilly Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*karilaz'' (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was "f ...

). On March 6, 1970, she appeared on another episode of ''The Ghost & Mrs Muir'', "Curious Cousin". She played nosey Cousin Harriet. She interferes with Mrs Muir's private life. To divert her excessive attention, Claymore, posing as Captain Gregg, comes to court her. After eight years, ''Bewitched'' was cancelled by ABC in the spring of 1972. Later that year in September, Ghostley was hired as a semiregular for the ABC-TV variety series, ''

''; in addition to participating in songs and sketches, Andrews and Ghostley were featured in a recurring segment as roommates sharing a small apartment. ''The Julie Andrews Hour'' was cancelled by ABC in the spring of 1973 after 24 episodes. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Ghostley appeared in episodes of situation comedies such as '' Hogan's Heroes'' (alternating with

Kathleen Freeman Kathleen Freeman (February 17, 1923August 23, 2001) was an American actress. In a career that spanned more than 50 years, she portrayed acerbic maids, secretaries, teachers, busybodies, nurses, and battle-axe neighbors and relatives, almost in ...

playing Gertrude Linkmaier, General Burkhalter's sister), '' Good Times'', '' Maude'', '' One Day at a Time'', '' The Odd Couple'', and ''

What's Happening!! ''What's Happening!!'' is an American sitcom television series that aired on ABC from August 5, 1976, until April 28, 1979, premiering as a summer series. Due to other shows being cancelled across the network, and good ratings and reviews from ...

''. Between 1986 and 1993, Ghostley portrayed Bernice Clifton, the slightly off-kilter, eccentric friend of Julia and Suzanne Sugarbaker's mother, Perky, on ''

''. She later played Irna Wallingsford in six episodes of ''

Evening Shade ''Evening Shade'' is an American sitcom television series that aired on CBS from September 21, 1990, to May 23, 1994. The series stars Burt Reynolds as Wood Newton, an ex-professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who returns t ...

''. She also had a recurring role of Ida Mae Brindle in the sitcom ''

Small Wonder Small Wonder or variants may refer to: Film, television and theatre * ''Small Wonder'' (TV series), a 1985–1989 American sitcom * '' A Small Wonder'', a 1966 Australian television film * '' Small Wonders'', a 1995 documentary film * ''Small Wond ...

'', which ran from 1985 to 1989. Among many other guest roles, she appeared in a flashback episode as the crazed mother-in-law of Dorothy Zbornak (

Bea Arthur Beatrice Arthur (born Bernice Frankel; May 13, 1922 – April 25, 2009) was an American actress and comedian. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, Arthur began her career on stage in 1947, attracting critical acclaim before achieving ...

) on '' The Golden Girls''. She made a one-time appearance as Great-Grandma in ''

Sabrina the Teenage Witch ''Sabrina the Teenage Witch'' is a comic book series published by Archie Comics about the adventures of a fictional American teenager named Sabrina Spellman. Sabrina was created by writer George Gladir and artist Dan DeCarlo, and first appear ...

''. Ghostley also made a few guest appearances on the

daytime drama A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored b ...

Passions ''Passions'' is an American television soap opera that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1999, to September 7, 2007, and on DirecTV's The 101 Network from September 17, 2007, to August 7, 2008. Created by screenwriter James E. Reilly and ...

'' in 2000, playing the ghost of

Matilda Matthews This is a list of significant characters who have appeared on the soap opera ''Passions''. A ;Dr Ackland :Michael Woods (December 22 to 26, 2003), :Roark Critchlow (December 26, 2003 to March 17, 2004) ;Stuart Allen :Emanuelle Xuereb (2006) ...

Film

Among her roles in motion pictures, Ghostley appeared in ''

To Kill a Mockingbird ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' is a novel by the American author Harper Lee. It was published in 1960 and was instantly successful. In the United States, it is widely read in high schools and middle schools. ''To Kill a Mockingbird'' has become ...

'' (1962), playing Stephanie Crawford, the neighborhood gossip. She starred in '' Gator'' as Gator's partner in crime who brings her cats along on a burglary. She appeared in the film version of '' Grease'' as shop teacher Mrs. Murdock. In 1985, she had a supporting role in the Nancy Allen comedy '' Not for Publication''. Alice played Grandmama in the direct-to-video movie '' Addams Family Reunion''.

Awards

Ghostley received a

Tony Tony may refer to: People and fictional characters * Tony (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Gregory Tony (born 1978), American law enforcement officer * Motu Tony (born 1981), New Zealand international rugby leagu ...

nomination in 1963 for different roles she played in the Broadway comedy ''The Beauty Part''. She also received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for her role in '' The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window''. In 1992, she earned an Emmy nomination for her role in ''Designing Women''.

Personal life

Ghostley was married to

Felice Orlandi Felice Orlandi (18 September 1925 – 21 May 2003) was an Italian-born American actor, known for roles in films such as '' The Pusher'' (1960), '' Bullitt'' (1968), ''Catch-22'' (1970) and '' The Driver'' (1978). He also appeared in numerous TV ...

, an Italian-American actor, from 1953 until his death in 2003. Ghostley died at her home in

Studio City, California Studio City is a neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles, California, in the southeast San Fernando Valley, just west of the Cahuenga Pass. It is named after the studio lot that was established in the area by film producer Mack Sennett in 192 ...

, on September 21, 2007, after a long battle with colon cancer and a series of strokes. On August 20, 2009, her ashes were taken to Oak Hill Cemetery in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and buried with her sister Gladys (died June 21, 2009). The sisters are interred next to their parents and near Alice's husband, Felice Orlandi.

Selected filmography

* ''

New Faces ''New Faces'' is a British television talent show that aired in the 1970s and 1980s. It has been hosted by Leslie Crowther, Derek Hobson and Marti Caine. It was produced for the ITV network by ATV, and later by Central. Original series: 197 ...

'' (1954) - Herself * ''

'' (1962) - Miss Stephanie Crawford * '' My Six Loves'' (1963) - Selena Johnson * ''

The Flim-Flam Man ''The Flim-Flam Man'' (titled ''One Born Every Minute'' in some countries) is a 1967 American comedy film directed by Irvin Kershner, featuring George C. Scott, Michael Sarrazin, and Sue Lyon, based on the 1965 novel ''The Ballad of the Flim-Fla ...

'' (1967) - Mrs. Packard * ''

The Graduate ''The Graduate'' is a 1967 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Mike Nichols and written by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham, based on the 1963 novel of the same name by Charles Webb, who wrote it shortly after graduating from W ...

'' (1967) - Mrs. Singleman * ''

With Six You Get Eggroll ''With Six You Get Eggroll'' is a 1968 American romantic comedy film directed by Howard Morris and starring Doris Day, Brian Keith, Barbara Hershey, George Carlin, and Pat Carroll. It was the first film that was produced by the CBS Television Ne ...

'' (1968) - Molly * ''

Viva Max ''Viva Max!'' is a 1969 comedy film directed by Jerry Paris and starring Peter Ustinov, Jonathan Winters and John Astin. The film was written by Elliott Baker and based on the 1966 novel of the same name by Jim Lehrer, James Lehrer. Plot Riding ...

'' (1969) - Hattie * ''

Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies An ace is a playing card, die or domino with a single pip. In the standard French deck, an ace has a single suit symbol (a heart, diamond, spade, or club) located in the middle of the card, sometimes large and decorated, especially in the ca ...

'' (1973) - Sister Lite * '' Gator'' (1976) - Emmeline Cavanaugh * '' Blue Sunshine'' (1977) - O'Malley's Neighbor * '' Record City'' (1978) - Worried Wife * '' Rabbit Test'' (1978) - Nurse Tumm * '' Grease'' (1978) - Mrs. Murdock * '' Not for Publication'' (1984) - Doris Denver * ''

The Odd Couple II ''The Odd Couple II'' is a 1998 American buddy comedy film and the sequel to the 1968 film '' The Odd Couple''. It was the final film written and produced by Neil Simon, and starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Released nearly three decades ...

'' (1998) - Esther, the Whiner * '' Addams Family Reunion'' (1998, TV Movie) -

Grandmama Addams Grandmama is a fictional character in the ''Addams Family'' television and film series. First appearing in the works of cartoonist Charles Addams, she is a supporting character in the film, television, and stage adaptations. Character backgrou ...

* ''Palmer's Pick-Up'' (1999) - Mrs. Eleanor Palmer * '' Whispers: An Elephant's Tale'' (2000) - Tuskless (voice) * '' Mothers and Daughters'' (2006) - The Doctor (final film role)

Select television credits

* '' Lights Out'' as Chambers' Secretary (1951, "Perchance To Dream") * '' The Best of Broadway'' as Clara Hyland (1955, "The Show-Off") * ''

Star Stage ''Star Stage'' is a half-hour American television anthology series that began on September 9, 1955, and ended on September 7, 1956. It was sponsored on alternate weeks by Chesebrough-Ponds and Campbell Soup Company and hosted by Jeffrey Lynn, ...

'' (1955, "A Letter to Mr. Priest") * '' Playwrights '56'' as Mrs. Hope (1956, "Flight") * ''

The United States Steel Hour ''The United States Steel Hour'' is an anthology series which brought hour long dramas to television from 1953 to 1963. The television series and the radio program that preceded it were both sponsored by the United States Steel Corporation (U. S ...

'' as Ida Routzeng (1959, "A Taste of Champagne" and 1962; Episode - "You Can't Escape") * ''

Dow Hour of Great Mysteries ''The Dow Hour of Great Mysteries'', was a series of seven television specials from March to November 1960, hosted by Joseph Nye Welch on NBC Television, and sponsored by Dow Chemical. Welch died on October 6, 1960, bringing the series to an end ...

'' as Charlotte (1960, "The Dachet Diamonds") * '' Play of the Week'' (1960, "Highlights of New Faces") * '' Art Carney Special'' (1961, "Everybody's Doin' It!") * '' The Tom Ewell Show'' as Polly (1961, "The Chutney Caper") and as Lavinia Barrington (1961, "I Don't See It") * ''

'' as Bonita Kalsheim (1961, "Christmas at the 53rd" and "Love Finds Muldoon") * '' Naked City'' as Clara, the Bookkeeper (1963, 'One, Two, Three, Rita Rakahowski") * ''

The Trials of O'Brien ''The Trials of O'Brien'' is a 1965 television series starring Peter Falk as sordid, Shakespeare-quoting lawyer Daniel O'Brien, and featuring Elaine Stritch as his secretary and Joanna Barnes as his ex-wife. The series ran for 22 episodes on C ...

'' as Eve Roberti (1965, "The Trouble with Archie") * '' Bewitched'' as Naomi Hogan (1966, "Maid to Order") and as Esmeralda (1969-1972, 15 appearances) * ''

Get Smart ''Get Smart'' is an American comedy television series parodying the secret agent genre that had become widely popular in the first half of the 1960s, with the release of the ''James Bond'' films. It was created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, an ...

'' as Verna (1966, "The Last One in Is a Rotten Spy") and as Naomi Farkas (1968, "The Farkas Fracas") * '' Please Don't Eat the Daisies'' as Miss Feather (1966, "Move Over, Mozart") * '' The Farmer's Daughter'' as Jane Marshall (1966, "The Wife of Your Friend May Not Be a Friend of Your Wife) * ''

Captain Nice ''Captain Nice'' is an American comedy TV series that ran from 9 January 1967 to 28 August 1967, Monday nights at 8:30 pm EST on NBC, opposite ABC's ''The Rat Patrol'' and CBS's '' The Lucy Show''. The show was an unsuccessful attempt to cash ...

'' as Mrs. Nash (1967, 15 appearances) * ''

Insight Insight is the understanding of a specific cause and effect within a particular context. The term insight can have several related meanings: *a piece of information *the act or result of understanding the inner nature of things or of seeing intui ...

'' as Mother (1968, "Watts Made Out of Thread") * ''

He & She ''He & She'' is an American sitcom that aired on the CBS television network as part of its 1967–1968 lineup, originally sponsored by General Foods and Lever Brothers. ''He & She'' is widely considered by broadcast historians to have been ah ...

'' as Norma Nugent (1968, "What's in the Kitty?") * '' Love, American Style'' as Mrs. Silversmith (1969), Mrs. Billingsley (1971), Mom (1971) and Gladys (1972) * ''

'' as Mrs. Irene Wiley (1969, "And Baby Makes Four") * '' It Takes a Thief'' as Miss Prillo (1969, "The Second Time Around") * '' Hogan's Heroes'' as Gertrude Linkmaier (1969, "Watch the Trains Go By") and as Mrs. Mannheim (1971, "That's No Lady, That's My Spy") * '' The Ghost & Mrs. Muir'' as Aggie Burns (1969, "Make Me a Match") and as Cousin Harriet (1970, "Curious Cousin") * '' The Odd Couple'' as Mimi (1970, "The Breakup") * ''

'' as Cousin Alice (1970-1971, two appearances) * ''

'' as Bertha (1971-1972, two appearances) * '' Here We Go Again'' as Mrs. Nicholson (1973, "After the Wedding Bells") * ''

The New Temperatures Rising Show ''Temperatures Rising'' is an American television sitcom that aired on the ABC network from September 12, 1972 to August 29, 1974. During its 46-episode run, it was presented in three different formats and cast line-ups. The series was develo ...

'' as Mrs. Lindsey (1972, "Ellen's Flip Side") and as Edwina Moffitt (1974, seven appearances) * '' Kolchak: The Night Stalker'' as Doctor Agnes Temple (1974, "Bad Medicine") * ''

Great Performances ''Great Performances'' is a television anthology series dedicated to the performing arts; the banner has been used to televise theatrical performances such as plays, musicals, opera, ballet, concerts, as well as occasional documentaries. It is p ...

'' as Mrs. Taylor (1975, "Who's Happy Now?") * ''

Big Eddie ''Big Eddie'' is an American television sitcom that aired on CBS from August 23 until November 7, 1975. Its first three episodes, in a Saturday night time slot, did well in the ratings, but after it was moved to Friday nights, it had little succ ...

'' as Violet Klabber (1975, "Crashing Violet") * '' Maude'' as Hazel M. Hathaway (1976, "Walter's Stigma") * ''

Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman ''Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman'' is an American satirical soap opera that aired in daily weeknight syndication from January 1976 to July 1977. The series follows the titular Mary Hartman, an Ohio housewife attempting to cope with various bizarre ...

'' as Gladys Dillworth (1976, two appearances) * ''

Monster Squad ''Monster Squad'' is a television series produced by D'Angelo-Bullock-Allen Productions that aired Saturday mornings on NBC from September 11, 1976, to September 3, 1977. It is unrelated to the later film of the same name. Premise The series s ...

'' as Queen Bee (1976, "Queen Bee") * '' All's Fair'' as Inez (1976, "Living Together") * '' One Day at a Time'' as Harriet Loring (1977-1978, two appearances) * ''

'' as Mrs. Turner (1977, "The Maid Did It") * '' The Nancy Walker Show'' as Louise (1977, "The Partners") * ''

CHiPS ''CHiPs'' is an American crime drama television series created by Rick Rosner and originally aired on NBC from September 15, 1977, to May 1, 1983. It follows the lives of two motorcycle officers of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The seri ...

'' as Mamie (1978, "Rustling") * '' Police Woman as Manageress (1978, "Sunset") * ''

Carter Country ''Carter Country'' is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from September 15, 1977 to August 23, 1979. It starred Victor French and Kene Holliday. A young Melanie Griffith appeared in two episodes. Synopsis ''Carter Country'' is set in the ...

'' (1978, "The Chief's Dressing Gown") * ''

Family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

'' as Mrs. Hanley (1978, "A Friend of the Family's") and others * ''

Chico and the Man ''Chico and the Man'' is an American sitcom television series that aired on NBC for four seasons from September 13, 1974, to July 21, 1978. It stars Jack Albertson as Ed Brown (the Man), the cantankerous owner of a run-down garage in an East Los ...

'' as Harriett (1978, "The Peeping Tom") * '' Friends'' as Mrs. Sandler (1979) * ''

Gimme a Break! ''Gimme a Break!'' is an American television sitcom created by Mort Lachman and Sy Rosen, that aired on NBC for six seasons from October 29, 1981, to May 12, 1987. The series starred Nell Carter as the housekeeper for a widowed police chief ( ...

'' as Mrs. Falconberg (1982, "Love Thy Neighbor") * ''

Trapper John, M.D. ''Trapper John, M.D.'' is an American medical drama television series and spin-off of the film ''M*A*S*H'' (1970). Pernell Roberts portrayed the title character, a lovable surgeon who became a mentor and father figure in San Francisco, Californ ...

'' as Marge Collins (1984, "The Fred Connection") * '' Mama Malone'' as Nedda (1984, "Shall We Dance?") * ''

Tales from the Darkside ''Tales from the Darkside'' is an American anthology horror TV series created by George A. Romero. Debuting in October 1983 with a pilot episode and then being picked up for syndication in September 1984, the show ran for 4 seasons through Ju ...

'' as Elinor Colander (1985, "Anniversary Dinner") * ''

Highway to Heaven ''Highway to Heaven'' is an American fantasy drama television series that ran on NBC from September 19, 1984, to August 4, 1989. The series starred Michael Landon as Jonathan Smith, an angel sent to Earth in order to help people in need. Victo ...

'' as Mrs. Schtepmutter (1985, "Cindy") * '' Stir Crazy'' (1985, "The Love Affair") * ''

'' as Bernice Clifton (1986-1993) * ''

Simon & Simon ''Simon & Simon'' is an American crime drama television series that originally ran from November 24, 1981, to September 16, 1989. The series was broadcast on CBS, and starred Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker as two disparate brothers who oper ...

'' as Grandma Marie Cooper (1986, "Family Forecast") * '' The New Leave It to Beaver'' as Miss Honeywell (1986, "Miss Honeywell Comes to Town") * ''

Punky Brewster ''Punky Brewster'' is an American Situation comedy, sitcom television series about a young girl (Soleil Moon Frye) being raised by a foster parent (George Gaynes). The show ran on NBC from September 16, 1984, to March 9, 1986, and again in Broad ...

'' as Mrs. Winston (1987, "Punky's Big Story") * '' The Golden Girls'' as Mrs. Zbornak (1988, "Mother's Day") * ''

'' as Ida Mae Brindle (1988, four appearances) * '' B.L. Stryker'' as Mrs. Parkinson (1990, "Night Train") * '' Hearts Are Wild'' as Margaret Sawyer (1992, "Pilot") * ''

'' as Irna Wallingford (1992-1994, six appearances) * ''

Daddy Dearest ''Daddy Dearest'' is an American television sitcom that aired on Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox, on Sunday nights from September 5 to December 5, 1993. Synopsis The series revolved around Dr. Steven Mitchell, a psychologist who lived in Manhatta ...

'' as Aunt Adelaide (1993, "Thanks, but No Thanks") * '' Cobra'' as Lorinda McClure (1994, "Lorinda") * ''

Diagnosis Murder ''Diagnosis: Murder'' is an American action-comedy-mystery-medical crime drama television series starring Dick Van Dyke as Dr. Mark Sloan, a medical doctor who solves crimes with the help of his son Steve, a homicide detective played by Van Dyk ...

'' as Mrs. Groviak (1994, "You Can Call Me Johnson") * ''

The Client Client(s) or The Client may refer to: * Client (business) * Client (computing), hardware or software that accesses a remote service on another computer * Customer or client, a recipient of goods or services in return for monetary or other valuabl ...

'' as Aunt Mabel (1996, "Damn Yankees") * ''

Aaahh! Real Monsters ''Aaahh!!! Real Monsters'' is an American animated television series developed by Klasky Csupo for Nickelodeon. The show focuses on three young monsters—Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm—who attend a school for monsters under a city dump and learn to ...

'' as Grandma (1996), voice of Nurse (1996), Eccentric Woman (1997), voice of Wife (1997) * ''

Touched by an Angel ''Touched by an Angel'' is an American fantasy drama television series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994, and ran for 211 episodes over nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and executive produced ...

'' as Mrs. DeWinter (1997, "Labor of Love") * ''

'' as Great-Grandma (1997, "Witch Trash") * ''

Rugrats ''Rugrats'' is an American animated television series created by Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain for Nickelodeon. The show focuses on a group of toddlers; most prominently— Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica, and twins Phil and Lil, a ...

'' as Mrs. Holkin (1997, two appearances) * ''

Channel Umptee-3 ''Channel Umptee-3'' (also known simply as ''Umptee-3'') is a Saturday morning animated television series created by Jim George and produced by Norman Lear. It aired on The WB as part of the Kids' WB programming block from 1997 to 1998. The one ...

'' as voice of Pandora Rickets (1997) * '' Dharma and Greg'' as Alice Binns (1998, "Dharma and Greg's First Romantic Valentine's Day Weekend") * ''

Hercules Hercules (, ) is the Roman equivalent of the Greek divine hero Heracles, son of Jupiter and the mortal Alcmena. In classical mythology, Hercules is famous for his strength and for his numerous far-ranging adventures. The Romans adapted the ...

'' as Miss Cassiopeia (1998, four appearances) * ''

'' as

(2000, four appearances)

References

External links

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Alice Ghostley, Comic TV and Stage Actress, Dead at 81
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ghostley, Alice 1923 births 2007 deaths People from Henryetta, Oklahoma American film actresses American musical theatre actresses American stage actresses American television actresses American voice actresses RCA Victor artists Deaths from colorectal cancer Actresses from Oklahoma Singers from Oklahoma Tony Award winners Deaths from cancer in California 20th-century American singers People from Studio City, Los Angeles 20th-century American women singers 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American women