Beverly Garland

Born: October 17, 1926 This gravelly voiced character actress began her career in 1950 in the film D.O.A. Her other film appearances include Problems Girls, The Glass Web, Swamp Women, Gunslinger and It Conquered the World… On the game show circuit she spent the 1962-1963 television season on “Pantomime Quiz” and also made appearances on “Match Game 73” and “Family Feud.” As was often the case for all actors during this time period television was right around the corner. In 1957 she joined the cast of “Decoy” and remained with the series until 1959. From 1969 to 1972 she played Barbara Harper Douglas on “My Three Sons” opposite Fred MacMurray. In 1976, she joined the cast of “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” and remained until 1977. On “Scarecrow and Mrs. King” she played Mrs. King’s (Kate Jackson) mother Dotty West. The actress remained with the show during its entire run from 1983 to 1987. Her other television credits include (incomplete): “Damon Runyon Theater” “Schlitz Playhouse of Stars” “Four Star Playhouse” “Ford Television Theatre” “Lux Video Theatre” “Climax!” “Playhouse 90” “The Twilight Zone” “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” “Perry Mason” “The Dick Powell Show” “Rawhide” “The Mothers-in-Law” “The Wild Wild West” “Here’s Lucy” “Gunsmoke” “The Mod Squad” “Honey West” “The New Perry Mason” “Mannix” “Love, American Style” “Ironside” “The Tony Randall Show” “Charlie’s Angels” “Hart to Hart” “Flamingo Road” “Magnum, P.I.” “Matt Houston” “Remington Steele” “Hotel” “Friends” “Ellen” “Diagnosis Murder” “Spider-Man: The Animated Series” “Teen Angel” “Port Charles” A memorable 1975 episode of the “Mary Tyler Moore” show featured her as an old flame of Lou Grant’s (Edward Asner). In 1995 she began the recurring role of Ellen Lane, Lois’ mother on “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” replacing Phyllis Coates. She appeared sporadically but was prominently featured in more than one episode during the 1996-1997 season including the Christmas show and the final episode in which her character is the only person in the family who doesn’t know that Clark Kent is Superman. Her final film role was in 2003… From 1997 until 2004 she had the recurring role of Ginger Jackson on “7th Heaven.” This would prove to be her final acting role… The actress passed away suddenly on December 5, 2008… In Memoriam Remembers: Beverly Garland