Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! She launched her network radio career in 1936, appearing as a regular on The Campbell Playhouse, The Jack Benny Show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Great Gildersleeve, and Fibber McGee. The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. Left to right: Alan Reed as Fred Flintstone, Jean Vander Pyl . Knowing how she suffered with lung cancer and still managed to work, its challenging to watch The Valley Has a Baby knowing that she died before the episode aired. [71] Linda Henning and Benaderet's son, Jack Bannon, were members of a young actors' theater group at the time. But her best work was arguably in a show created by Paul Henning. The Flintstones. "Hiss and Make Up" (1943) "Puss n' Booty . "[122] Early in the first season of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, her full name appeared as "Bee Benadaret" in the closing credits.[11]. Probably the most harrowing was Bea Benaderets. Bea Benaderet's first major starring role on television was sadly her last. After she completed filming the fifth season, Bea underwent the operation at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, and a tumor was discovered that couldn't be removed. She was chosen from 200 actresses for the part of a government file clerk in Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious (1946) and completed filming in half an hour, but her scenes were cut from the final print. Its because of this that Bea Benaderets last episode of Petticoat Junction is hard to watch. March 29, 2021, 4:49 am, Way back in 1980, Dolly Parton sat down with Chet Flippo of Rolling Stone magazine for what she thought was just going to be a typical interview. So, if you feel like you missed the finale, youre not alone. Flippo asked Parton about what the most outrageous thing shed [] More, Robert Urich was known throughout the world as a tough guy. Find where to watch Bea Benaderet's latest movies and tv shows . Mrs. Whitney Dr. Ruth Martin Benaderet was diagnosed with cancer in 1967, which led to her departure from Petticoat Junction in what was hoped would be a temporary absence, during which time Rosemary DeCamp was brought in to play "Aunt Helen" in scripts obviously written for Benaderet's character Kate. Before even seeing her face, we knew her voice from radio programs with Jack Benny and Mel Blanc. [70] CBS promoted the show's September 22, 1963, premiere with a print ad featuring an Al Hirschfeld caricature of Benaderet as Cousin Pearl. And I asked her to read the script and she . Bea was better than her medium and her material. She broke into TV with the role of Blanche Morton in "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" (1950). That's when June Lockhart was added to the show as Dr. Janet Craig, presumably. Previous Next. [and] Bea said, 'That's fine with me. She had become successful through her voice now she wanted to become a familiar face in TV and film. '"[49][50] Benaderet garnered two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1954 and 1955. [87][88] Benaderet returned for the March 30 fifth-season finale "Kate's Homecoming",[89] but five months later, after shooting the first three episodes of the sixth season, she took leave from the series due to being too ill to continue. Her son Jack became an actor, making his television debut in bit parts on Petticoat Junction (and working on the show as a dialogue coach), later appearing in Lou Grant. They can be enjoyed on their own of course, but fans enjoy the crossover episodes, too. [43], Benaderet was Lucille Ball's first choice as Ethel Mertz for the sitcom I Love Lucy; Ball said in a 1984 interview that she had "no other picture of anyone" for the role. Karol (2006), p. 15-16 ("One of the most prolific actresses ever, she appeared in more than 600 series episodes all sitcoms, one [. PETTICOAT JUNCTION premiered in the 1963 - 1964 season, but that year's FLINTSTONES voiceover tracks were done before she reported for her new fulltime job on PJ. Beatrice Benaderet was an American actress and comedienne. "I tell you the people who watched it really identified with it because they lived those lives," she told the LA Times in 2008. Bea Benaderet became best known for her comedic performances in The Flintstones, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Petticoat Junction., Fans of the country hotel keeper at Petticoat Junction, which began its run in 1963, will know that Bea suddenly became absent on the show in 1967. As Bea Benaderet came of age, radio was becoming increasingly popular throughout the United States. Then they ended up marrying in September 1968. Benaderet died on October 13, 1968, of lung cancer and pneumonia. The Flintstones are a typical suburban family that just happens to live in the stone-age. Bea Benaderet as Kate Bradley on the hit sitcom "Petticoat Junction," circa 1960s. When she was cast in "Petticoat Junction" as Kate Bradley in 1963, Bea was recognized as having "finally" become a star. | Photo: YouTube/CLASSIC COMEDY CHANNEL. Linda and Mikes wedding was supposed to line up with that date, too, but they had a falling out, Linda called it off, and Mike spent the next year winning her back. She's so effortless. January 27, 2023, 6:25 pm, Trending Born in New York City and raised in San Francisco, she began performing in Bay Area theatre and radio before embarking on a Hollywood career that spanned over three decades. Hassan The show revolved around Kate Bradleys family where they lived in the fictional town of Hooterville, with the only transportation in or out town being an old steam engine. When the shows ran a. t the same time, Cady maintained the role across them all. But its a name worth remembering because little Higgins would go on to be his own star as the leading man well, dog in Benji. January 28, 2023, 4:29 pm, by The Flintstones were the modern Stone Age family. Oddly enough, she didnt get credit for her work with Warner Bros. as she was a freelance artist rather than under a fixed contract. "That was what they wanted to see. . [84] Diagnosed with lung cancer, Benaderet underwent six weeks of laser radiation treatment via a linear particle accelerator at Stanford University Medical Center. After becoming the beautiful redhead Betty Jo, Linda Henning totally switched fields. [2] On October 17, four days after her death and the day after her funeral, her husband Eugene Twombly died at the age of 54 from a massive heart attack[93] and was interred beside her. Bea had worked with George Burns and Gracie Allen on the radio version of the show. Benaderet first specialized in voice-over work in the golden age of radio, appearing on numerous programs while working with comedians of the era such as Jack . She was just wonderful," Henning said. A success one of Beas co-stars, Linda Henning, who played Betty Jo, attributed to the content of the show. Let's look back at Bea Benaderet's incredible life and career and her final episodes of . But if you look closely, you can see the toll the treatment took, as shes noticeably thinner and weaker. "She had an infallible eye for a script and for a character. Instead, fans consider the 4th-to-last episode when the show spiritually ended, it had all the loose ends tied up and ended on a strong note. ': What Happened to the Stars of the Iconic Series through the Years, Csar Domboy's Girlfriend: All We Know about the 'Outlander' Star's Dating History, Eva Perez Suarez - Eva Mendes' Mother the Star Calls 'Coolest of the Cools', Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz's Kids Lived Different Lives after Parents Thrust Them into the Spotlight, Annette Funicello Was Unable to Eat, Drink & Talk during Her Last Years Her Husband Never Gave up Hope, Jaclyn Smith Was Married to Bigamist & Shared 2 Kids with Him Meet Her Grown-up Children & Granddaughters. Benaderet missed a total of 10 episodes during season five (159, 160, 162-169) and only managed a few episodes of season six before illness struck again. Pearl played the piano for the silent movies and she saw such high fashion and ridiculous hairdos. [92] She was entombed in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood. [75] She told Radio Life magazine that year that after having struggled to remember her lines, "Mr. Hitchcock looked me right in the eye and asked 'You want to go back to radio?' Vernon was pressured to leave the series after her friend, writer Danny Arnold (who, in many estimations, made the series what it was), left on acrimonious terms after year one. Leave a Comment Cancel reply. Bea was famous for her sound long before most people knew what she looked like. Probably the most harrowing was Bea Benaderet's. Near the end of season 5, the plot had Kate away visiting a sick relative when in actuality, Bea was very sick, recovering from lung cancer. Boy, was Petticoat terrific wholesome fun. And while Williams sadly is no longer with us, Pam Dawber is still alive and well. 'Whos the Boss? Bea Benaderet was born on April 4, 1906 in New York City, NY. Bea graduated from St. Rose Academy High School in San Francisco. [29] On February 5, 1964, she was named an honorary sheriff of Calabasas, California, with her daughter Maggie accepting a badge on her behalf that was presented by her Petticoat Junction co-star Edgar Buchanan in a public ceremony. Then they reference how Bea Benaderet played Cousin Pearl and called the two look-alikes. Ruth had loads of fond memories from visiting her grandmother. During her young age, she began taking voice and piano lessons. Sadly, we didnt see Kate after the fifth season as Bea Benaderet passed away from lung cancer. [63] Irene Ryan ultimately won the role; according to Henning, "Bea took one look at the way Irene did the part and said to me, 'There's your Granny! The actress was previously married to actor Jim Bannon. [115], She is credited with over 1000 combined radio and television episode appearances,[107][116] which earned her the nickname of "Busy Bea" from members of the press. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Rock stars are infamous for their insatiable appetites for all things in excess. At the age of 11, she acted in a school play where she had a small role as a bearded old man! [11][84][121] She first resisted requests to change it early in her radio career: "[T]hey'd say, 'Anything's better than BenaderetHow about Smith? Did you know about Bea Benaderet and Petticoat Junction? Born Unfortunately, Bea contracted to work on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show and had to turn down the role which eventually went to Vivian Vance. [12], Benaderet was raised Catholic and attended grade school at a Dominican convent. [3], Benaderet continued her Burns & Allen radio role of the Burns' neighbor Blanche Morton, Gracie's friend and staunchest supporter in her escapades. Beatrice "Bea" Benaderet (April 4, 1906 - October 13, 1968) was an American radio and television actress, comedienne, and voice artist. "Jack Benny, Inc.: Comedian mixes a fiddle, a feud and stock characters in formula which has paid off for 15 years". January 27, 2023, 7:23 pm, by [22][23], Initially seeking work as a dramatic actress, she switched to comedy and performed on multiple programs, in particular the Blue Monday Jamboree variety show,[22] where her castmates included Meredith Willson, Elvia Allman, and future I Love Lucy producer Jess Oppenheimer. She was one of the few female voice artists associated with Warner Bros studio in its early days. Bea was born on April 4, 1906, in New York. Facts Verse Bea was on THE FLINTSONES only thru season 4 (1963 - 1964). Take a visual walk through their career and see 75 images of the characters they've voiced and listen to 4 clips that . Instead, its the nickname for a water stop near the hotel, and the nickname came together because the girls would leave their petticoats on the railway when they swam in the water tower. Her acting job was her main source of income. Bea was also excellent on THE GEORGE BURNS AND GRACIE ALLEN SHOW (her only Emmy nominations and the reason she couldn't do ILL)and of course is was the voice of Betty Rubble on THE FLINTSTONES. [7] They married in August 1938 and had two children: Jack (19402017),[79] and Maggie (b. Beatrice Benaderet (/bndrt/ BEN--DERR-t; April 4, 1906 - October 13, 1968) was an American radio and television actress and voice actress. The character and Beas performance was so popular among audiences that the shows creators didnt wish to replace the character in the later seasons. Rosemary DeCamp was brought in to play the Bradley girls' Aunt Helen in the scripts that were obviously written for Benaderet's character, Kate Bradley. Linda and Mikes wedding was supposed to line up with that date, too, but they had a falling out, Linda called it off, and Mike spent the next year winning her back. [58] While filming the debut season of her show Petticoat Junction the next year, she continued voicing Betty by recording her part alone or with her Flintstones castmates during evening hours[29] until scheduling conflicts forced her to drop the role at the end of the fourth season in 1964. "Bea Benaderet Remembered". October 13, 1968 (aged 62)Los Angeles, California, U.S. Beatrice "Bea" Benaderet (4 April 1906 - 12 October 1968) was an American actress who did work on 44 theatrical cartoons in twelve years. Before joining the Shady Rest Hotel, Bea Benaderet was a cartoon regular, specifically for. Beatrice "Bea" Benaderet (April 4, 1906 - October 13, 1968) was an American actress born in New York City and reared in San Francisco, California. Why did Bea Benaderet leave the bachelorette? Birth Place: New York, New York, USA. Vander Pyl recalled in 1994: "I said, 'Oh, I want to be Wilma!' In his own mind he believed he was the reason for the success of the show. The character only appeared on the show occasionally, yet Beas performance made Cousin Pearl one of the most memorable characters on the show! He would end up having to fight an even tougher battle [] More, What could be more mysterious than an island filled with buried treasure? Name . Facts Verse Incarnations View all 36 versions of Betty Rubble on BTVA. [64] When CBS granted him an open time slot after the massive success of Beverly Hillbillies, he crafted the 1963 rural sitcom Petticoat Junction around Benaderet, starring as Kate Bradley, the widowed proprietor of the Shady Rest Hotel. 1960s sitcom fans owe a lot to one man: Paul Henning, the man behind. [85], Benaderet's treatment was successful and concluded in January 1968. In the early 1940s, Bea Benaderet began the next phase of her career as a voice actress. And is. Her father Samuel was a Turkish Jewish emigrant and her mother Margaret was Irish-American. January 19, 2022, 6:17 pm, by She missed 10 episodes of the show as she recuperated, during which her character of Kate Bradley was vaguely described in the storyline as being out of town, as expectations were that Benaderet would eventually recover and be able to resume filming. Her occupation is listed as such in the 1940 U.S. census. Then, in 1968, it was announced her treatment was finished and a complete success, just in time for her to come back for the season finale! [67] Benaderet described Pearl's curly hair as "just my mental image of the character. Her expertise in dialect and characterization led to her becoming Warner Bros.' leading voice of female characters in their animated cartoons of the early 1940s through the mid-1950s. They share two children Jack and Maggie. She later cast as Cousin Pearl Bodine in The Beverly Hillbillies after initially being considered for the role as Granny. [54] She played housekeeper Wilma in the lone season of the 1960 sitcom Peter Loves Mary, a part she received because of references from Burns. [83], During a routine checkup in 1963, a spot was discovered on one of Benaderet's lungs. One of the most popular characters from the show was Kate Bradley played by Bea Benaderet. American Ironically, if you look at Petticoat Junction promotional material, you usually see Higgins sitting on Edgar Buchanan. Spouse Benaderet first specialized in voiceover work in the golden age of radio . This made her one of the most popular actresses on TV. Busch, Noel F. (February 3, 1947). Facts Verse Bea Benaderet met Paul Henning back in the 1940s while she was working on the radio production of Burns and Allen. She opposed quick exploratory medical procedure as she was filming the fifth season of "Petticoat Junction" at the time. However, many audience members didnt realize that. Share your thoughts in the comments, we read every one! [4][6][7] Her mother, Margaret (ne O'Keefe), was Irish American,[8][9] and her father, Samuel David Benaderet,[10] a Turkish Sephardic emigrant,[11] was a tobacconist who relocated the family from New York City to San Francisco in 1915 after his participation in the PanamaPacific International Exposition. Publicity photo of Bea Benadaret, circa 1966. . When she left Petticoat Junction the first time, she underwent treatment for the condition, and a recurrence of the illness in February 1968 sent her back to the hospital. Career Bea Previous Next. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Margaret Benaderet (105540832)? In 1961, while The Andy Griffith Show was in its second season, she told The Charlotte News of living in California, "Whenever I feel lonely out here, I . So, Henning went right back to the Rural Gold Mine and out popped Green Acres. She missed 10 episodes, but they yearned to keep Bea on, so they didn't write the character out. She later co-starred with fellow Looney Tunes voice actor Mel Blanc as the voices of Betty and Barney Rubble in The Flintstones. [51] Following Allen's retirement in 1958 at the end of the eighth season, the program continued as The George Burns Show in 195859 with Blanche repackaged as George's secretary, but it was canceled after one season due to low ratings. But then its ending wasnt exactly planned, either. Even next to the beautiful girls. [79], In 1961, Benaderet dressed in a Flintstones-inspired leopard-print costume to collect donations for City of Hope and March of Dimes[82] and worked with Welcome Wagon in the San Fernando Valley. : "[We] spent so much time together in studios that I used to refer jokingly to her as the 'other woman' in my life. Goldmark & Granata (2002), pg. But the shows [] More, You might remember her as Mindy in the off-beat yet endearing 70s and 80s sitcom Mork and Mindy. [55][82] However, in January 1963, following CBS' acquisition of Petticoat Junction, she enthused to columnist Eve Starr of The Mercury: "Isn't it nice? In fact, Bea Benaderets last episode of Petticoat Junction is hard to watch knowing that she suffered from lung cancer. Lets hear your thoughts in the comments. Without further ado, lets revisit the Shady Rest Hotel. While shes voiced some of our favorite animated characters, we remember her most for her on-screen TV roles. "[98] Benaderet credited George Burns with mentoring her in comedy acting,[113] but claimed that television scriptwriters focused more on her voice and delivery than her characters, which she believed stunted opportunities for her to play more dramatic roles. I also wonder what happened to the original Billie Jo. She was replaced by Gerry Johnson. And so [] More, Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll. She actually completed some promotional shots for the show, but never filmed because it came out that she had done nude photos for Playboy. In 1926, she landed a job with the radio station KFRC based in San Francisco. January 27, 2023, 7:28 pm, by Click the bell icon to get notifications from FactsVerse and watch more pop culture videos and interesting stories. The dentistry practice responsibilities fell to his wife when Buchanan decided to give acting a go, but he was still known to tend to cast and crews teeth on-set as needed, and even pulled a tooth from his stand-in Jack Henderson! Now 76, visitors still recognize her to this day. She had a supporting role as Ella Heather in the Western film Plunderers of Painted Flats. Beatrice Benaderet (/bndrt/ BEN--DERR-t; April 4, 1906 - October 13, 1968) was an American radio and television actress and voice actress. Unfortunately, the cancer continued to grow and took its toll on her. June 24, 2022, 6:34 am In 1936, she started her profession in network radio, becoming a regular member of Orson Welles' performing company on "The Campbell Playhouse. Instead, I discovered her in a series of satisfying revelations over the years. Pronunciation of Bea benaderet with 3 audio pronunciations, 1 meaning, 1 translation, 2 sentences and more for Bea benaderet. Chest pains related to her sickness required her to come back to the hospital for the last time. Facts Verse Did you watch any of the other rural henning creations? ANSWER: Actress Bea Benaderet (Kate) died of lung cancer in 1968 while Petticoat Junction.. . Bea was buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood. They can be enjoyed on their own of course, but fans enjoy the crossover episodes, too. "[50][note 3], Henning had long admired Benaderet's talents and strove to create a starring vehicle for her, as he felt she was worthy of headlining her own series after years of supporting parts. [75] Her first onscreen appearance, also uncredited, was in the film On the Town (1949), as one of two women whom the main characters (played by Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra) encounter while riding the subway. She appeared in plays such as Uncle Toms Cabin and Polly Lysistrata. The voice actors for the US animated sitcom 'The Flintstones', circa 1962. After all these years. Born in New York City and raised in San Francisco, she began performing in Bay Area theatre and radio before embarking on a Hollywood career that spanned over three decades. Years active Born in New York City and raised in San Francisco, she began performing in Bay Area theatre and radio before embarking on a Hollywood career that spanned over three decades. Benaderet was cast in the spy film Notorious in 1946, which generated a stunning $24.5 million at the box office against a $1 million budget. She had a powerful voice and had the ability to bring characters to life solely through audio performances. Bea died on October 13, 1968, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, where she was undergoing further treatment for lung cancer, as reported by Newspapers.com. She appeared in a wide variety of television work, which included a starring role in the 1960s television series . Nevertheless, she worked hard till the very end and is remembered as a brilliant actress and a consummate professional. 13 of 22. Listen to the first episode starring Gale Gordon & Bea Benaderet in the lead roles, you'll hear some of same jokes and setups in the pilots of both shows. She was also the original voice of Granny in the Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies franchise. On October 13, 1968, Benaderet died due to lung cancer and pneumonia in Los Angeles, California at the age of 62 at the Good Samaritan Hospital. 1960s sitcom fans owe a lot to one man: Paul Henning, the man behind The Beverly Hillbillies. Near the end of season 5, the plot had Kate away visiting a sick relative when in actuality, Bea was very sick, recovering from lung cancer. Then, terribly, her illness struck again, and Bea Benaderet passed away on October 13, 1968, at the age of 62. Other than being the original voice of Betty Rubble in The Flintstones other than the pilot, The Flagstones in which June Foray voiced, she is also the original voice of Granny from Looney Tunes. [69][note 4] The character of Kate represented Benaderet's first straight role: "Kate Bradley is different from the characters I've played in the past. Beverly Hillbillies was such an immediate hit, it spawned the creation of Petticoat Junction. [65] Henning created for Benaderet the supporting character of Cousin Pearl Bodine, the middle-aged widowed mother of Jethro Bodine (Max Baer Jr.) and cousin of main character Jed Clampett (Buddy Ebsen), whom she convinces to move from his humble home in the Ozarks after he strikes oil on his property and becomes a millionaire. "[98] Benaderet often discussed facets of the acting profession in promotional interviews for the show,[95][99][100][101] and believed that leading a series required a "feeling of responsibility", including her being more observant of on-set activity and her costars' performances, while continuously evolving her character. [42] In 1955, she was succeeded by June Foray as Warner's premier female voice artist. Her treatment was effective and finished up in January 1968. Thats almost true. click the Leave a Flower button. Throughout its 7 season run, Petticoat Junction had a few noteworthy cast changes. Morton in The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show and as the voice of Betty Rubble during the first four seasons of The Flintstones, and in The Beverly Hillbillies as Pearl Bodine. Bea died on October 13, 1968, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, where she was undergoing further treatment for lung cancer, as reported by Newspapers.com. On October 13, 1968, at the age of sixty-two, Bea lost her battle with cancer at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. After that, June Lockhart stepped in as Dr. Janet Craig, but viewers really felt the void in Kates absence and sometimes attribute that to the shows ending two seasons later. And thats exactly how we got the plot for Petticoat Junction. Filmography The Flintstones - Betty Rubble (Seasons 1-4) Categories Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted. During a routine checkup, a spot was found on one of her lungs. ", "The Way We Rural: 'Hillbillies' Creator Paul Henning, to Be Honored in Santa Ana, Looks Back", "Jack Bannon, Actor on 'Lou Grant,' Dies at 77", "Benadaret Licks Tumor, Looks Forward To Petticoat Junction", "Last Rites Set Tomorrow for Bea Benaderet", "Pneumonia, Cancer Kills 'Petticoat Junction' Star", "Bea Benaderet's Own Star Shines Brightly As Any", "A Long-Term Next-Door Neighbor Gets Own Show", "Bea Benaderet's Dialect Returns Her to TV Work", "June Foray: From Rocky the flying squirrel to Cindy Lou Who, she was a master", "Bea Benaderet was both the best and the worst guest ever on, "Somebody Built a Hotel around Bea Benaderet", "Robert McKimson's "The Hole Idea" (1955)", TV Sidekicks: Bea Benaderet's Blanche to Gracie Allen's Gracie, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bea_Benaderet&oldid=1140604081, This page was last edited on 20 February 2023, at 21:39. Why did Bea Benaderet leave Petticoat Junction? After her role on that classic sitcom ended, Jan became more interested in being a mother than being an actress. Beatrice Benaderet (/bndrt/ ben--DERR-t; April 4, 1906 - October 13, 1968) was an American actress and comedienne. Bea Benaderet was only 62 when she passed away. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. show revolved around Kate Bradleys family, Alison Pearce from Bewitched had an impressive career. Betty Rubble VOICE. [33], Other recurring characters Benaderet portrayed were Blanche Morton on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show; school principal Eve Goodwin on The Great Gildersleeve; Millicent Carstairs on Fibber McGee & Molly; maid Gloria on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet;[34][35] and Iris Atterbury on the Lucille Ball vehicle My Favorite Husband, opposite Gale Gordon.