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Arlene Golonka
Arlene Golonka as Millie Swanson
Golonka on Mayberry R.F.D. in 1969
Born
Arlene Leanore Golonka

(1936-01-23)January 23, 1936
Died May 31, 2021(2021-05-31) (aged 85)
Occupation Actress
Years active 1958–2005
Spouse(s) Christopher Michael Haenel
(m. 19??; div. 19??)
Mike Longo
(m. 1963; div. 1967)

Larry Delaney
(m. 1969; div. 1977)

Arlene Leanore Golonka (born January 23, 1936 – died May 31, 2021) was an American actress. She was famous for playing Millie Hutchins on The Andy Griffith Show and Millie Swanson on Mayberry R.F.D.. Arlene often played cheerful and unique blonde characters in movies, TV shows, and plays.

Early Life of Arlene Golonka

Arlene Golonka was born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 23, 1936. Her family had Polish roots. Before becoming an actress, she worked as a waitress.

Arlene Golonka's Acting Career

Arlene Golonka started acting when she was a teenager. She performed in a summer theater group. She also gained experience at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.

Broadway Plays and Early Success

Arlene became a member of The Actors Studio. Her first big play was The Night Circus in 1958. It opened in New Haven, Connecticut, and then moved to Broadway.

Even though that play closed quickly, Arlene kept working. She appeared in many other Broadway shows. These included Take Me Along with Jackie Gleason. She was also in Neil Simon's first Broadway play, Come Blow Your Horn. Another important role was in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest with Kirk Douglas.

In 1965, Arlene also recorded a comedy album called You Don't Have to Be Jewish.

Moving to Television and Voice Acting

In 1967, Arlene moved to Los Angeles to act in television. She appeared in many popular TV shows. Some of these include Get Smart, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and M*A*S*H. She was also in All in the Family, The Andy Griffith Show, and Mayberry R.F.D.. Later, she appeared in Murder, She Wrote and The King of Queens.

Arlene was also a talented voice actress. She voiced "Debbie" in the cartoon Speed Buggy. She also lent her voice to other animated series. These included The New Yogi Bear Show and The New Scooby-Doo Movies.

Film Roles

Arlene Golonka had supporting roles in about 30 films. Some of her movies include Hang 'Em High (1968), a Western film. She also appeared in Airport '77 (1977) and the comedy The In-Laws (1979). Other films were Love At First Bite (1980) and My Tutor (1983).

Personal Life

When Arlene lived in New York City, her roommate was the actress Valerie Harper.

Arlene Golonka was married and divorced three times. Her husbands included jazz musician Mike Longo and actor Larry Delaney.

Later Years and Passing

After moving to Los Angeles, Arlene lived in West Hollywood, California. She passed away on May 31, 2021, at the age of 85. Her death was due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.

Filmography

  • 1963: Car 54, Where Are You? as Laverne Montaine
  • 1963: Love with the Proper Stranger as Marge (uncredited)
  • 1964: Diary of a Bachelor as Lois
  • 1965: Harvey Middleman, Fireman as Harriet
  • 1966: Penelope as Honeysuckle Rose
  • 1967: The Busy Body as Bobbi Brody
  • 1967: Welcome to Hard Times as Mae
  • 1968: Hang 'Em High as Jennifer
  • 1968–1971: Mayberry R.F.D. as Millie Hutchins-Swanson
  • 1971: The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Betty Bowerchuck
  • 1972: M*A*S*H as Lieutenant Edwina “Eddie” Ferguson
  • 1973: Speed Buggy as Debbie (voice)
  • 1973: Sing a Song of Murder Barnaby Jones as Sue Paige
  • 1974: The Elevator (TV Movie) as Wendy Thompson
  • 1975: Maude as Maybelle season 4 episode 10
  • 1975: The Secret Night Caller as Charlotte
  • 1977: Airport '77 as Mrs. Jane Stern
  • 1977: Alice as Shirley Bartlett
  • 1979: The In-Laws as Jean Ricardo
  • 1979: Love Boat as Suzy Butterfield, Season 3, Episode 3
  • 1980: The Last Married Couple in America as Sally Cooper
  • 1981: Longshot as Evelyn Gripp
  • 1981: Separate Ways as Annie Donahue
  • 1982: Love Boat as Doris Weldon season 5 episode 14
  • 1983: Benson as Betty Braxton season 5, episode11
  • 1983: My Tutor as Mrs. Chrystal
  • 1983: Gimme a Break as Maxine
  • 1986: Fox trap as Emily
  • 1986: Detective School Dropouts (uncredited)
  • 1987: "Hogan Family" as Darlene season 2 episode 22
  • 1987: Survival Game as Barbara Hawkins
  • 1989: Dr. Alien as Mom
  • 1989: Trained to Kill as Martha Cooper
  • 1990: The Gumshoe Kid as Gracie Sherman
  • 1990: The End of Innocence as Claire
  • 1990: Murder, She Wrote as Gloria Winslow
  • 1991: Matlock as Jackie Flemming - Season 5 Episode 22
  • 1993: Amore! as Acting Coach
  • 1995: Cops n Roberts
  • 1997: Leather Jacket Love Story as Mom
  • 2001: A Family Affair as Leah Rosen

See also

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