Dorothy I. Adams (January 8, 1900 – March 16, 1988) was an American character actress of stage, film, and television.

Early years

Born in

Hannah, North Dakota Hannah is a city in Cavalier County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 8 at the 2020 census. Hannah was founded in 1897. Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. This clim ...

, Adams was the daughter of Rachel Jamison and hardware salesman W. E. Adams. They later moved to

Vancouver, British Columbia Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the cit ...

, where she attended Braemar School and the

University of British Columbia The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a Public university, public research university with campuses near University of British Columbia Vancouver, Vancouver and University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, in British Columbia, Canada ...

."Sweet Lavender"
''The Vancouver Sun''. March 11, 1921. p. 3 Retrieved October 22, 2024.

Stage

In the 1920s, Adams was active with the

Moroni Olsen Moroni Olsen (June 27, 1889November 22, 1954) was an American actor. Life and career Olsen was born in Ogden, Utah, to Latter-day Saint parents Edward Arenholt Olsen and Martha ( Hoverholst) Olsen, who named him after the Moroni found in the ...

Players.

Films and television

Adams was perhaps best known for her role as Wilma Cameron's mother in ''

The Best Years of Our Lives ''The Best Years of Our Lives'' (also known as ''Glory for Me'' and ''Home Again'') is a 1946 American drama film directed by William Wyler and starring Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Virginia Mayo and Harold Ru ...

'' (1946). My Three Angels 2

Adams made numerous television appearances in the 1950s. She was seen in ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centered on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central charact ...

'' with

James Arness James Arness (born James King Aurness; May 26, 1923 – June 3, 2011) was an American actor, best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years in the series ''Gunsmoke''. He has the distinction of having played the role of Dillon in f ...

, and four episodes of the Western series ''

The Adventures of Kit Carson ''The Adventures of Kit Carson'' is an American Westerns on television, Western television series that aired from 1951 to 1955 and consisted of 104 episodes. While airing, the show was shown in over 130 markets and was sold to the Coca-Cola Bott ...

'', starring Bill Williams. She appeared in four episodes of the crime drama series '' Dragnet'', starring

Jack Webb John Randolph Webb (April 2, 1920 – December 23, 1982) was an American actor, television producer, Television director, director, and screenwriter, most famous for his role as Joe Friday in the Dragnet (franchise), ''Dragnet'' franchise ...

. She made two guest appearances in ''

Perry Mason Perry Mason is a fictional character, an American criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in works of detective fiction written by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason features in 82 novels and four short stories, all of which involve a ...

'', starring

Raymond Burr Raymond William Stacy Burr (May 21, 1917September 12, 1993) was a Canadian actor who had a lengthy Hollywood film career and portrayed the title roles in the television dramas '' Perry Mason'' and '' Ironside''. Burr's early acting career inclu ...

. She also appeared in comedy series, such as a 1958 episode of ''

Leave It to Beaver ''Leave It to Beaver'' is an American television sitcom that follows the misadventures of a suburban boy, his family and his friends. It starred Barbara Billingsley, Hugh Beaumont, Tony Dow and Jerry Mathers. CBS first broadcast the show ...

'', starring

Jerry Mathers Gerald Patrick Mathers (born June 2, 1948) is a former American actor best known for his role in the television sitcom ''Leave It to Beaver'', originally broadcast from 1957 to 1963. He played the protagonist Beaver Cleaver, Theodore "Beaver" Cle ...

Later years

In the 1960s, she was a popular acting instructor at the

UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (UCLA TFT), is one of the 12 schools within the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) located in Los Angeles, California. Its creation was groundbreaking in that it was the first time a leadi ...

Personal life

Adams was married to

character actor A character actor is an actor known for playing unusual, eccentric, or interesting character (arts), characters in supporting roles, rather than leading ones.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrie ...

Byron Foulger Byron Kay Foulger (August 27, 1898 – April 4, 1970) was an American character actor who over a 50-year career performed in hundreds of stage, film, and television productions. Early years Born in Ogden, Utah, Byron was the second of four ...

from 1926 until his death in 1970."Utah, County Marriages, 1871-1941", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSPS-SHL : Thu Sep 19 20:40:47 UTC 2024), Entry for Byron Kay Foulger and A. K. Foulger, 13 Apr 1926. She was the mother of

soap opera A soap opera (also called a daytime drama or soap) is a genre of a long-running radio or television Serial (radio and television), serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term ''soap opera'' originat ...

actress

Rachel Ames Rachel Ames (born Rachel Kay Foulger; November 2, 1929) is an American actress. She is known for playing the role of Audrey Hardy on the ABC Daytime soap opera ''General Hospital'' (1964 to 2007, returning for appearances in 2009, 2013, and 2015 ...

Death

She died in 1988 in Woodland Hills, California. Her ashes lie with those of her husband in niche A142 in the Del Prado Mausoleum of

Inglewood Park Cemetery Inglewood Park Cemetery, in Inglewood, California, was founded in 1905. A number of notable people, including entertainment and sports personalities, have been interred or entombed there. History The proposed establishment of "the larges ...

in California.Resting Places: The Burial Sites of 14000 Famous Persons by Scott Wilson

Partial filmography

*1938: '' Condemned Women'' as Nurse (uncredited) *1938: '' Crime Ring'' as Second Fortune Teller (uncredited) *1938: '' Broadway Musketeers'' as Anna, Judy's Governess *1939: '' Calling Dr. Kildare'' as Jenny's Mother (uncredited) *1939: ''

Bachelor Mother ''Bachelor Mother'' (1939) is an American romantic comedy film directed by Garson Kanin, and starring Ginger Rogers, David Niven, and Charles Coburn. The screenplay was written by Norman Krasna from an Academy Award-nominated story by Felix ...

'' as Secretary (uncredited) *1939: ''Mickey the Kid'' as Student's Mother (uncredited) *1939: ''

On Borrowed Time ''On Borrowed Time'' is a 1939 drama film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring Lionel Barrymore, with Cedric Hardwicke and Beulah Bondi in support. Produced by Sidney Franklin and directed by Harold S. Bucquet, it is adapted from Paul ...

'' as Florist (uncredited) *1939: ''

Career A career is an individual's metaphorical "journey" through learning, work (human activity), work and other aspects of personal life, life. There are a number of ways to define career and the term is used in a variety of ways. Definitions The ...

'' as Telephone Operator (uncredited) *1939: '' The Women'' as Miss Atkinson (uncredited) *1939: ''

Disputed Passage ''Disputed Passage'' is a 1939 American drama war film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Dorothy Lamour, Akim Tamiroff, John Howard, Judith Barrett and William Collier Sr. Set in war-torn China, the film was described by ''The New York Ti ...

'' as Nurse (uncredited) *1939: ''

Ninotchka ''Ninotchka'' is a 1939 American romantic comedy film made for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by producer and director Ernst Lubitsch and starring Greta Garbo and Melvyn Douglas. It was written by Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett, and Walter Reisch, b ...

'' as Jacqueline - Swana's Maid (uncredited) *1939: '' A Child Is Born'' as Nurse (uncredited) *1940: ''

The Fight for Life ''The Fight for Life'' is a 1940 American medical drama film directed by Pare Lorentz. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Score, Best Original Score of a Picture composed by Louis Gruenberg and released by Columbia Pic ...

'' as The Young Woman *1940: ''

Babies for Sale ''Babies for Sale'' is a 1940 American film noir crime drama film directed by Charles Barton and starring Rochelle Hudson, Glenn Ford and Miles Mander. Plot A newsman exposes a doctor running an adoption ring from a home for expectant mothers. ...

'' as Mother in Dr. Gaines' Office (uncredited) *1940: '' Untamed'' as 3rd Nurse *1940: '' Cross-Country Romance'' as Emmy (uncredited) *1940: '' We Who Are Young'' as Bellevue Hospital Nurse (uncredited) *1940: ''

Dr. Christian Meets the Women ''Dr. Christian Meets the Women'' is a 1940 American film directed by William C. McGann, one of the series of six Dr. Christian films featuring Jean Hersholt. Plot summary Professor Kenneth Parker, a God-fearing physical culturist, arrives to ...

'' as Indigent Woman (uncredited) *1940: '' Lucky Partners'' as Maid at Ethel's (uncredited) *1940: '' Nobody's Children'' as Mrs. Alice Stone (uncredited) *1941: '' The Devil Commands'' as Mrs. Marcy *1941: '' Back Street'' as Mrs. Brown (uncredited) *1941: '' Tobacco Road'' as Payne's Secretary (uncredited) *1941: ''

Penny Serenade ''Penny Serenade'' is a 1941 American melodrama film directed by George Stevens starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant as a loving couple who must overcome adversity to keep their marriage and raise a child. It was produced and distributed by Colum ...

'' as Mother in Stalled Car (uncredited) *1941: ''

The Flame of New Orleans ''The Flame of New Orleans'' is a 1941 American historical comedy film directed by René Clair and starring Marlene Dietrich and Bruce Cabot in his first comedy role. The supporting cast features Roland Young, Andy Devine and Franklin Pangborn. ...

'' as Cousin *1941: '' Affectionately Yours'' as Reception Nurse at Hospital (uncredited) *1941: '' The Shepherd of the Hills'' as Elvy *1941: ''

Highway West ''Highway West'' is a 1941 American crime film directed by William C. McGann and starring Brenda Marshall, Arthur Kennedy and William Lundigan. It is a remake of the 1934 film ''Heat Lightning''.Goble p.1 It was produced and distributed by War ...

'' as Wife (uncredited) *1941: '' Whistling in the Dark'' as Mrs. Farrell (uncredited) *1941: ''

One Foot in Heaven ''One Foot in Heaven'' is a 1941 American biographical drama film directed by Irving Rapper and starring Fredric March, Martha Scott, Beulah Bondi, Gene Lockhart and Elisabeth Fraser. The film was adapted by Casey Robinson from the autobi ...

'' as Woman Behind Hope at Baptism (uncredited) *1941: '' Glamour Boy'' as Mr. Devin - Fruit Stand Proprietress (uncredited) *1941: ''

Bedtime Story A bedtime story is a traditional form of storytelling, where a story is told to a child at bedtime to prepare the child for sleep. The bedtime story has long been considered "a definite institution in many families".Dickson, Marguerite Stockm ...

'' as Betsy *1942: '' Joe Smith, American'' as Nurse (uncredited) *1942: '' Lady Gangster'' as Deaf Annie *1942: ''

The Gay Sisters ''The Gay Sisters'' is a 1942 American drama film directed by Irving Rapper, and starring Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Donald Crisp, Gig Young (who adopted his character's name as his screen name) and Nancy Coleman. The ...

'' as Nurse (uncredited) *1942: '' Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant'' as Mrs. Alberts (uncredited) *1943: '' So Proudly We Hail!'' as Lt. Irma Emerson *1943: '' O, My Darling Clementine'' as Dancer (uncredited) *1944: '' Since You Went Away'' as Nurse (uncredited) *1944: ''

Bathing Beauty ''Bathing Beauty'' is a 1944 American Musical film, musical romantic comedy film directed by George Sidney, and starring Red Skelton and Esther Williams. Although this was not Williams' screen debut, it was her first Technicolor musical. The f ...

'' as Ms. Hanney (uncredited) *1944: '' Laura'' as Bessie Clary, Laura's Maid (uncredited) *1945: ''

Keep Your Powder Dry ''Keep Your Powder Dry'' is a 1945 American drama film directed by Edward Buzzell and starring Lana Turner, Susan Peters, and Laraine Day. Its plot follows three women who join the Women's Army Corps during World War II. The screenplay was writt ...

'' as WAC Seamstress #2 (uncredited) *1945: ''

Circumstantial Evidence Circumstantial evidence is evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact, such as a fingerprint at the scene of a crime. By contrast, direct evidence supports the truth of an assertion directly, i.e., without need ...

'' as Bolger's Wife *1945: '' Captain Eddie'' as Nurse (uncredited) *1945: '' The Falcon in San Francisco'' as Hotel Maid (uncredited) *1945: ''

Fallen Angel Fallen angels are angels who were expelled from Heaven. The literal term "fallen angel" does not appear in any Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic religious texts, but is used to describe angels cast out of heaven. Such angels are often described ...

'' as Stella's Neighbor (uncredited) *1946: ''

Miss Susie Slagle's ''Miss Susie Slagle's'' is a 1946 American drama film directed by John Berry. It was based on the popular novel by Augusta Tucker. The film was Berry's directorial debut and first starring role for Joan Caulfield. Plot A nursing student falls ...

'' as Mrs. Johnson *1946: '' Sentimental Journey'' as Martha (uncredited) *1946: '' O.S.S.'' as Claudette (uncredited) *1946: '' The Inner Circle'' as Emma Wilson *1946: ''

Nocturne A nocturne is a musical composition that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night. History The term ''nocturne'' (from French '' nocturne'' "of the night") was first applied to musical pieces in the 18th century, when it indicated an ensembl ...

'' as Angry Apartment House Tenant (uncredited) *1946: ''

'' as Mrs. Cameron *1946: '' A Boy and His Dog'' (Short) as Mrs. Allen *1947: '' That's My Man'' as Millie *1947: '' The Trouble with Women'' as Henry's Mothers (uncredited) *1947: '' Unconquered'' as Woman Beside Garth Happy at Bagpipes (uncredited) *1948: ''

The Foxes of Harrow ''The Foxes of Harrow'' is a 1947 American-British adventure film directed by John M. Stahl. The film stars Rex Harrison, Maureen O'Hara, and Richard Haydn. It is based on the novel of the same name by Frank Yerby, the sixth best-selling novel ...

'' as Mrs. Sara Fox (uncredited) *1948: '' Sitting Pretty'' as Mrs. Goul (scenes deleted) *1948: '' The Sainted Sisters'' as Widow Davitt *1948: '' He Walked by Night'' as Paranoid Housewife (uncredited) *1949: '' Down to the Sea in Ships'' as Miss Hopkins (uncredited) *1949: '' Not Wanted'' as Mrs. Aggie Kelton *1949: '' Samson and Delilah'' as Screaming Temple Spectator (uncredited) *1950: ''

Montana Montana ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west, North Dakota to the east, South Dakota to the southeast, Wyoming to the south, an ...

'' as Kitty Maynard (uncredited) *1950: '' Paid in Full'' as Emily Burroughs, Nurse (uncredited) *1950: '' The Outriders'' as Farmer's Wife (uncredited) *1950: '' The Cariboo Trail'' as Nurse *1950: '' The Jackpot'' as Watch Saleswoman - Store Employee (uncredited) *1951: '' The First Legion'' as Mrs. Dunn *1951: '' Home Town Story'' as Hospital Nurse (uncredited) *1952: '' The Greatest Show on Earth'' as Sam's Wife (uncredited) *1952: ''

Fort Osage Fort Osage (also known as Fort Clark or Fort Sibley) was an early 19th-century factory trading post run by the United States Government in western Missouri on the American frontier; it was located in present-day Sibley, Missouri. The Treaty ...

'' as Mrs. Winfield *1952: '' Jet Job'' as Mrs. Kovak *1952: '' The Winning Team'' as Ma Alexander *1952: '' Carrie'' as Mrs. Meebers *1954: '' Rose Marie'' as Townswoman (uncredited) *1954: ''

There's No Business Like Show Business "There's No Business Like Show Business" is an Irving Berlin song, written for the 1946 musical '' Annie Get Your Gun'' and orchestrated by Ted Royal. The song, a slightly tongue-in-cheek salute to the glamour and excitement of a life in show ...

'' as Nurse (uncredited) *1955: ''

Many Rivers to Cross "Many Rivers to Cross" is a song written and recorded in 1969 by Jimmy Cliff. It has since been recorded by many musicians, most successfully by UB40, Cher and Annie Lennox and it was sung in the Caribbean by Alison Hinds and Tessanne Chin. ...

'' as Mrs. Crawford (uncredited) *1955: ''

The Prodigal ''The Prodigal'' is a 1955 Eastmancolor biblical epic CinemaScope film made by MGM starring Lana Turner and Edmund Purdom. It was based on the New Testament parable about a selfish son who leaves his family to pursue a life of pleasure. T ...

'' as Carpenter's Wife *1956: '' The Broken Star'' as Mrs. Trail (uncredited) *1956: '' The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit'' as Mrs. Hopkins' Maid (uncredited) *1956: '' The Killing'' as Ruthie O'Reilly *1956: ''Three for Jamie Dawn'' as Helen March *1956: '' Johnny Concho'' as Sarah Dark *1956: '' These Wilder Years'' as Aunt Martha *1956: '' The Ten Commandments'' as Slave woman / Hebrew at Golden Calf / Hebrew at Rameses' Gate *1956: ''

'' (TV Series, season 2, episode 1, "Cow Doctor") as Mrs. Pitcher *1957: ''

Hot Rod Rumble ''Hot Rod Rumble'' is a US, low budget, black-and-white 1957 teen-oriented drag racing crime drama produced by Norman T. Herman and directed by Leslie H. Martinson. It stars Leigh Snowden and Richard Hartunian. The film tells the story of a cla ...

'' as Ma Crawford *1957: '' The Buckskin Lady'' as Mrs. Adams *1957: '' An Affair to Remember'' as Mother at Rehearsal (uncredited) *1957: '' 3:10 to Yuma'' as Mrs. Potter (uncredited) *1958: ''

'' (TV Series) as Miss Wakeland, Acting Teacher *1958: ''

Gunman's Walk ''Gunman's Walk'' is a 1958 American CinemaScope Western (genre), Western film directed by Phil Karlson and starring Van Heflin and Tab Hunter. Plot Davy Hackett (James Darren) and his hot-tempered, arrogant older brother Ed (Tab Hunter) are ab ...

'' as Mrs. Stotheby (uncredited) *1958: ''

The Big Country ''The Big Country'' is a 1958 American epic Western film directed by William Wyler, and starring Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston, and Charles Bickford. The supporting cast features Burl Ives and Chuck Connors. F ...

'' as Hannassey Woman *1958: '' Unwed Mother'' as Mrs. Paully *1960: ''

From the Terrace ''From the Terrace'' is a 1960 American DeLuxe Color romantic drama film in CinemaScope directed by Mark Robson from a screenplay by Ernest Lehman, based on the 1958 novel of the same name by John O'Hara. The film stars Paul Newman, Joanne Wo ...

'' as Mrs. Benziger (uncredited) *1961: ''

The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology series, anthology television series created by Rod Serling in which characters find themselves dealing with often disturbing or unusual events, an experience described ...

'' (TV Series, "

Dust Dust is made of particle size, fine particles of solid matter. On Earth, it generally consists of particles in the atmosphere that come from various sources such as soil lifted by wind (an aeolian processes, aeolian process), Types of volcan ...

", Season 2, episode 12) as Mrs. Canfield *1969: '' The Good Guys and the Bad Guys'' as Mrs. Pierce (uncredited) *1975: '' Peeper'' as Mrs. Prendergast

Selected Television

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Dorothy 1900 births 1988 deaths American television actresses People from Cavalier County, North Dakota Actresses from North Dakota UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television faculty 20th-century American actresses American film actresses Burials at Inglewood Park Cemetery