Eleanor Audley (November 19, 1905 - November 25, 1991)

As I have said many times on this blog, during the past eighty-years there has been nothing more important to the greatest productions than character actors. And this lady is right up there with the best of them. Eleanor Audley was ideal whenever a landlady, mother-in-law, aunt, society matron or neighbor was needed. She began on stage and she even appeared in a few films but television was where her great talent was used the most. Her image and voice was used twice in Walt Disney productions, the first being Lady Tremaine in 1950's Cinderella and the second being Maleficent in 1959's Sleeping Beauty. On radio she had a recurring role as Mrs. Laticia Cooper, mother-in-law of Liz Cooper (Lucille Ball) on the domestic comedy "My Favorite Husband." She could also be heard on "Escape", "Suspense" and as the Anderson's neighbor on "Father Knows Best." Now onto television...her credits include "Studio 57", "Our Miss Brooks", "The People's Choice", "The Gray Ghost", "How to Marry a Millionaire", "The Ford Television Theatre", "Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre", "Letter to Loretta", "The Real McCoys", "Richard Diamond, Private Detective", "The Ann Sothern Show", "General Electric Theater", "Disneyland", "The Twilight Zone", "The Gale Storm Show", "The Untouchables", "Dennis the Menace", "Peter Gunn", "Perry Mason", "The Tab Hunter Show", "Hazel", "Pete and Gladys", "The Many of Loves of Dobie Gillis", "The Joey Bishop Show", "The Dick Van Dyke Show", "Wagon Train", "Bob Hope Presents the Fireside Theatre", "McHale's Navy", "The Beverly Hillbillies", "Mister Ed", "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", "The Jack Benny Program", "Peyton Place", "The Big Valley", "The Smothers Brothers Show", "Honey West", "Pistols 'n' Petticoats" and "My Three Sons."

She made two appearances on "I Love Lucy" during its final season. One of her most notable recurring roles was as Eunice Douglas mother of Oliver Wendell Douglas on "Green Acres." Even though she played his mother in reality she was only one year older than Eddie Albert. The constant joke was that Eunice was always putting Oliver down and siding with Lisa (Eva Gabor) despite the fact that she was his mother.

Audley left acting in 1969 and remained in retirement during her final 22 years. Everyone, stars of today and yesterday should salute Eleanor Audley and those like her. As I have stated many many times before, character actors and actresses are the backbone of any project. Without recurring familiar talented faces poping up all the time the product isn't nearly as meaningful.

While her career wasn't as intense as other actresses in her category she still made an impression...just ask any "I Love Lucy" or "Green Acres" fan and that will only be the beginning.

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