Inga Swenson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Inga Swenson
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Swenson as Ophelia in the American Shakespeare Festival production of Hamlet, 1958
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| Born | December 29, 1932 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
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| Died | July 23, 2023 (aged 90) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Education | Northwestern University |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1949–1998 |
| Television | Benson |
| Spouse(s) | Lowell Harris (m. 1953) |
| Children | 2 |
Inga Swenson (December 29, 1932 – July 23, 2023) was a talented American actress and singer. She was famous for her work on Broadway, where she was nominated twice for a Tony Award. She also played the memorable character Gretchen Kraus in the popular TV show Benson for seven years.
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Early Life and School Days
Inga Swenson was born in Omaha, Nebraska on December 29, 1932. She was the youngest of three children. Her father passed away when she was 15 years old.
Inga went to Omaha Central High School and graduated in 1950. While in high school, she won a state speech contest. Later, she won a national contest for her speaking skills. In her senior year, she was known as the best singer at her school. She also led the school's drama club. After high school, she studied acting at Northwestern University.
Acting Career Highlights
Inga Swenson had a long and successful acting career. She appeared in movies, on Broadway, and in many TV shows.
Early Film Roles
Early in her career, Inga acted in two important films in 1962. She had a supporting role in Advise and Consent. She also played Helen Keller's mother in The Miracle Worker.
Broadway Star
Inga was a trained singer with a beautiful voice. She starred in several shows on Broadway. She was nominated for a Tony Award twice. These nominations were for her roles in 110 in the Shade (1964) and Baker Street (1965). She often said her favorite role was Lizzie Currie in 110 in the Shade.
Famous TV Roles
Inga Swenson was well-known for her TV work. She appeared in two episodes of Bonanza in 1962 and 1963. In these episodes, she played Hoss's mother.
Her most famous TV role was Gretchen Kraus in the sitcom Benson. She played a strict but funny German cook. Later, her character became the head housekeeper. Her acting in Benson earned her three Emmy nominations. Before Benson, she also appeared in the TV show Soap. She played Ingrid Svenson, a Swedish character.
Inga also played Maude Hazard in the mini-series North and South in 1985 and 1986. She stopped acting in 1998.
Personal Life and Later Years
Inga Swenson married Lowell Harris, a sound engineer, in 1953. They had two sons, Mark and James. Sadly, James passed away in a motorcycle accident in 1987 when he was 26 years old. Her other son, Mark, became a film editor.
Inga Swenson passed away in Los Angeles on July 23, 2023. She was 90 years old.
Stage Appearances
- Stage debut – Maid, Peg O' My Heart, Berkshire Playhouse, Stockbridge, MA, 1949.
- Broadway debut – Singer, New Faces of '56 (revue), Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 1956.
- London debut – Lizzie Currie, 110 in the Shade, Palace Theatre, 1967.
Selected Stage Roles
- Princess Charlotte, The First Gentleman, Belasco Theatre, New York City, 1957.
- Ophelia, Hamlet, American Shakespeare Festival, Stratford, CT, 1958.
- Juliet, Romeo and Juliet, American Shakespeare Festival, 1959.
- Lizzie Currie, 110 in the Shade, Broadhurst Theatre, New York City, 1963.
- Irene Adler, Baker Street, Broadway Theatre, New York City, 1965.
- Eliza Doolittle, My Fair Lady, City Center Light Opera Company, City center theater, New York City, 1968.
Movie Roles
- Ellen Anderson, Advise and Consent, Columbia, 1962
- Kate Keller, The Miracle Worker, United Artists, 1962
- Sister Monica, Lipstick, Paramount, 1976
Television Roles
Television debut – Singer, Chrysler Special, CBC (Canadian television), 1957.
Television Series
- Gretchen Kraus, Benson, ABC, 1979–86.
Television Mini-series
- Maude Hazard, North and South, ABC, 1985.
- Maude Hazard, North and South, Book II, ABC, 1986.
Selected Television Episodes
- Inger Borgstrom Cartwright, "Inger, My Love" and "Journey Remembered", Bonanza, NBC, 1962
- Ingrid Swenson, Soap, 1978, 1979
- Holly Lindstrom, The Golden Girls, NBC, 1989
Television Movies
- Ilyana Kovalefskii, Earth II, ABC, 1971.
- Nora Bayes, Ziegfeld: The Man and His Women, NBC, 1978.
