This loss means the end of a classic group (1037)

As you may or may not know the great Shirley Mitchell passed away on November 11, 2013 at the age of 94.  Ms. Mitchell's career was long and amazing, she appeared on just about every program of the 1950's-1970's.  At the time of her death she was the final surviving player from the "I Love Lucy" show.  In honor of Ms. Mitchell this post will not only remember her but also all the other supporting players that made "I Love Lucy" a strong program.  Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley have already been covered extensively on this blog so I will skip them this time around.

Shirley Mitchell played Lucy's friend Marion Strong in three episodes during the 1953-1954 season.

Doris Singleton (1919-2013) played Lucy's friend/nemesis Carolyn Appleby in ten episodes during the shows run

Elvia Allman (1904-1992) played three different parts the candy factory forewoman in "Job Switching", Minnie Finch's neighbor is "Fan Magazine Interview" and Nancy Graham in "Homecoming."

Kathryn Card (1892-1964) played two different parts, Minnie Finch in "Fan Magazine Interview" and Lucy's mother, Mrs. McGillicuddy in several episodes in seasons four and five.

Elizabeth Patterson (1875-1966) played two different parts, Mrs. Willoughby in "The Marriage License" and Mrs. Mathilda Trumbull, Little Ricky's babysitter in several episodes between seasons two through six.

Bob Jellison (1908-1980) played two different parts, the Milkman in "The Gossip" and Bobby, the bellboy during the episodes set in Hollywood.

Mary Jane Croft (1916-1999) played three different parts, Cynthia Harcourt in "Lucy is Envious", Evelyn Bigsby in "Return Home from Europe" and Betty Foster Ramsey in five season six episodes.

Frank Nelson (1911-1986) played eight different parts, Freddie Filmore in three episodes, Dickie Davis in "The Million Dollar Idea", "the train conductor in "The Great Train Robbery", Henry, the waiter in "Lucy Changes her Mind", Ben Benjamin in "Ricky's Screen Test", the customs officer in "Return Home from Europe", Sergeant Nelson in "Ricky and Fred are TV Fans", and Ralph Ramsey in two episodes during season six.  

Barbara Pepper (1915-1969) appeared in several episodes as supporting characters such as nurses, neighbors, etc...

Charles Lane (1905-2007) played four different parts Mr. Stanley in "Lucy Goes to the Hospial", Andrew Hickox in "The Business Manager", the casting director in "Lucy Tells the Truth" and the passport clerk in "Staten Island Ferry."

Maurice Marsac (1915-2007) played two different parts Maurice, the waiter in "Ricky Asks for a Raise" and a waiter in "Paris at Last."

Mary Wickes (1910-1995) played Madame Lamand in "The Ballet"

Rosalyn Borden (1932-2003) and Marilyn Borden Thiel (1932-2009) played Teensey and Weensey in "Tennessee Bound"

Jerry Hausner (1909-1993) played Jerry, Ricky's agent in several episodes, Joe in "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" and also provided the cries for Baby Little Ricky in a few episodes.

Jay Novello (1904-1982) played three different parts Mr. Merriwether in "The Seance", Mr. Beecher in "The Sublease" and Mario Orsatti in "Visitor from Italy."

Ruth Perrott (1899-1996) played three different parts Mrs. Pomerantz in "Pioneer Women", a nurse in "Lucy Goes to the Hospital" and a clubwoman in "The Club Election"

Gale Gordon (1906-1995) played Ricky's boss Mr. Alvin Littlefield in two episodes

Edith Meiser (1898-1993) played Mrs. Phoebe Littlefield in two episodes

Bea Benaderet (1906-1968) played elderly neighbor Miss Lewis in "Lucy Plays Cupid"

Hans Conried (1917-1982) played two different parts Dan Jenkins in "Redecorating" and Percy Livermore in "Lucy Hires an English Tutor"

Eleanor Audley (1905-1991) played two different parts Eleanor Spaulding in "Lucy Wants to Move to the Country" and a flower show judge in "Lucy Raises Tulips."  

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