Barbara Billingsley

Born: December 22, 1915 She was the best example of the perfect mom that 1950's television had to offer. Sadly the woman who became known for doing housework while wearing her pearls died today at the age 94... She began in films in 1945 and most of her roles were uncredited. In 1951 she appeared in the original version of Angels in the Outfield starring Paul Douglas. She also made an appearance in the film Three Guys Named Mike starring Jane Wyman. Her most notable film was The Careless Years... In 1980 she returned to silver screen in the comedy spoof Airplane! She became well known to an entirely new generation of fans as the Jive Lady. Her final film appearance was in the 1997 film version of Leave it to Beaver in which she played Aunt Martha... From 1957 to 1963 she played her most famous role on the sitcom "Leave it to Beaver." Her role as June Cleaver forever earned her a place in television history. Hugh Beaumont played her husband Ward Cleaver and Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow played Theodore "Beaver" and Wally Cleaver, her television children. "Leave it to Beaver" ran an incredible run producing 234 episodes. She returned to the June Cleaver role in the 1983 TV movie "Still the Beaver", the 1984 TV movie "Movie Macabre", a 1985 episode of "Amazing Stories" an episode of "Baby Boom" in 1988 and an episode of "Roseanne" in 1995. In 1985 "The New Leave it to Beaver" began reuniting most of the surviving cast. The show ran until 1989... Her other television credits include "The Abbott and Costello Show", "The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse", "Four Star Playhouse", "The Loretta Young Show", "The Danny Thomas Show", "Mr. Adams and Eve", "The F.B.I.", "Mork & Mindy", "Silver Spoons", "The Love Boat", "Parker Lewis Can't Lose", "Empty Nest", "Murphy Brown" and "The Mommies." From 1984 to 1991 she provided the voice of Nanny on the animated series "Muppet Babies." Her final television guest role was on "Mysterious Ways" in 2000 and her final acting role all together was in the TV movie "Secret Santa" in 2003... In Memoriam Remembers: Barbara Billingsley

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Remembering the Cast of "Make Room for Daddy" / "The Danny Thomas Show" (583)

It was one of the longest running family sitcoms in television history.  Right there along side "I Love Lucy", "The Honeymooners", "Father Knows Best" and "My Little Margie" it was one of the most beloved programs of the day.  It began on ABC as "Make Room for Daddy" on September 29, 1953.  After 120 episodes the title changed to "The Danny Thomas Show" and in 1957 the program moved to CBS.  After a healthy eleven year run the show ended on April 27, 1964 after producing 351 episodes total.  In 1970 a majority of the cast returned for the show "Make Room for Granddaddy" which lasted from 1970 to 1971 producing 24 episodes.  The cast was headed up by Danny Thomas who played nightclub entertainer Danny Williams.  Jean Hagen played his wife Margaret, Rusty Hamer played his son Rusty and Sherry Jackson played his daughter Terry.  Jackson played Terry from 1953 to 1958 followed by Penny Parker who played the role from...
Read more

Doris Packer (May 30, 1904 - March 31, 1979)

She began in New York on Broadway and then started appearing on radio. Some of her radio credits include "Henry Aldrich" and "Mr. & Mrs. North." When she became a widow in 1953 she relocated to California where she began appearing on film and on television. Her first film was Meet Me at the Fair. She also appeared in The Perils of Pauline in 1967. She is best remembered as Mrs. Cornelia Rayburn, Beaver's Principal on "Leave it to Beaver." She also had a recurring role on "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis." Her final film appearance was in Shampoo in 1975... Other Television Credits: "The Great Gildersleeve" "Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre" "The Bob Cummings Show" "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" "I Love Lucy" "Lux Video Theatre" "The Jack Benny Program" "The Thin Man" "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse" "Maverick" ...
Read more