Alice Ghostley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alice Ghostley
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Ghostley as Cousin Alice in Mayberry R.F.D., 1970
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Alice Margaret Ghostley
August 14, 1923 Eve, Vernon County, Missouri, U.S.
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| Died | September 21, 2007 (aged 84) Studio City, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Oak Hill Cemetery, Siloam Springs, Arkansas |
| Occupation | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1953–2000 |
| Spouse(s) | Felice Orlandi (1953–2003; his death) |
Alice Margaret Ghostley (born August 14, 1923 – died September 21, 2007) was a talented American actress and singer. She was famous for her roles in popular TV shows. You might know her as Esmeralda on Bewitched, Cousin Alice on Mayberry R.F.D., or Bernice Clifton on Designing Women. For her role as Bernice, she was even nominated for an Emmy Award in 1992. Alice Ghostley also appeared regularly on Nichols and The Julie Andrews Hour.
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Alice Ghostley's Early Life
Alice Ghostley was born in Eve, Missouri, in 1923. Her parents were Edna Muriel and Harry Francis Ghostley. Her father worked as a telegraph operator. Alice grew up in Henryetta, Oklahoma. She went to the University of Oklahoma. However, she decided to leave college to follow her dream of becoming an actress in the theater.
Alice Ghostley's Acting Career
Alice Ghostley had a long and successful career. She performed on stage, in movies, and on many television shows.
Stage Performances
Alice Ghostley first appeared on Broadway in a show called New Faces of 1952. This show was also made into a film in 1954. She acted in other Broadway shows like A Thurber Carnival (1960) and The Beauty Part (1962). In these plays, she showed her amazing talent by playing many different characters. She also performed in musical comedies, such as Shangri-La in 1956. Later, in 1978, she took over the role of Miss Hannigan in the original Broadway musical Annie.
Television Roles
Alice Ghostley was a familiar face on early television. She played Joy, one of the ugly stepsisters, in the 1957 TV musical Cinderella. Julie Andrews starred as Cinderella in that show.
Becoming a TV Star
Ghostley guest-starred on the police comedy Car 54, Where Are You?. She also played characters that appeared many times on different comedy shows. One of her first recurring roles was on Bewitched in 1966. She played Naomi, a clumsy maid.
After the actress who played Gladys Kravitz on Bewitched passed away, Alice was offered that role. She turned it down, and another actress, Sandra Gould, took the part.
Esmeralda on Bewitched
In 1969, after the death of actress Marion Lorne, Alice Ghostley joined Bewitched as Esmeralda. Esmeralda was a shy witch who worked as a maid and babysitter for the Stephens family. Her character was created to be a bit clumsy with magic, similar to Aunt Clara, who Marion Lorne had played. Alice Ghostley appeared in 15 episodes of Bewitched between 1969 and 1972.
Other TV Appearances
While on Bewitched, Alice also joined the cast of Mayberry R.F.D.. She played Cousin Alice after the character Aunt Bee left the show. She appeared in 14 episodes of Mayberry R.F.D..
She also appeared on The Ghost & Mrs. Muir twice. In 1969, she played Aggie, and in 1970, she played nosey Cousin Harriet.
After Bewitched ended in 1972, Alice Ghostley became a regular on The Julie Andrews Hour. She sang, performed in sketches, and even had a recurring segment with Julie Andrews as roommates.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Alice Ghostley appeared in many other TV comedies. These included Hogan's Heroes, Good Times, Maude, One Day at a Time, The Odd Couple, and What's Happening!!.
Later TV Roles
From 1986 to 1993, Ghostley played Bernice Clifton on Designing Women. Bernice was an eccentric and slightly unusual friend of the main characters' mother. She also played Irna Wallingsford on Evening Shade and Ida Mae Brindle on Small Wonder.
She made a special appearance on The Golden Girls as Dorothy Zbornak's mother-in-law in a flashback. She also appeared as Great-Grandma in Sabrina the Teenage Witch. In 2000, she made a few guest appearances on the show Passions, playing the ghost of Matilda Matthews.
Film Roles
Alice Ghostley also had roles in several movies.
- In To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), she played Stephanie Crawford, who was the neighborhood gossip.
- She starred in Gator as Gator's partner in crime.
- In the movie Grease (1978), she played Mrs. Murdock, the shop teacher.
- She also played Grandmama in the movie Addams Family Reunion.
Awards and Recognition
Alice Ghostley was recognized for her acting talent.
- She received a Tony nomination for her roles in the Broadway comedy The Beauty Part.
- She won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for her role in The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window.
- In 1992, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her work on Designing Women.
Personal Life
Alice Ghostley was married to Felice Orlandi, who was also an actor. They were married from 1953 until his death in 2003.
Alice Ghostley passed away at her home in Studio City, California, on September 21, 2007, after an illness. Her ashes were later buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, next to her sister and near her parents and husband.
Images for kids
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Alice Ghostley as Cousin Alice in Mayberry R.F.D.
