[38][109][110][111] MeTV considered her an "icon" of 1960s television. Family Members. 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. [47] Benaderet and Gracie Allen regularly shopped for their own on-set wardrobe[48] and she developed a high-pitched laugh for Blanche that became a staple of the character and was used for comic effect: "When we had a scene with some silent spots in it, George would say to me, 'Laugh there, Bea. Date Of Birth: Apr 4, 1906. Then they ended up marrying in September 1968. [43] Television [ edit] Goldmark & Granata (2002), pg. Facts Verse Facts Verse 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. Then, terribly, her illness struck again, and Bea Benaderet passed away on October 13, 1968, at the age of 62. I would die if I didn't work. [16] Bluegrass duo Flatt & Scruggs, who performed the show's opening theme, recorded a comedic serenade in 1963 titled "Pearl Pearl Pearl" and Benaderet was pictured on the single's cover. The show had been created with her in mind as the lead, by longtime friend Paul Henning. They can be enjoyed on their own of course, but fans enjoy the crossover episodes, too. Nevertheless, she worked hard till the very end and is remembered as a brilliant actress and a consummate professional. January 19, 2022, 6:17 pm, by I also wonder what happened to the original Billie Jo. Did you grow up watching the show Petticoat Junction? And even though Cady was in every season, he comes in third with 168. Bea's big break as a comedian came three years later on Jack Benny's show. [68][96] For her contributions to television, Benaderet received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, on 1611 Vine Street,[114] and she was the recipient of a Genii Award in 1966. [112] Donna Douglas said, "Watching her timing is like watching a ballerina. She missed 10 episodes, but they yearned to keep Bea on, so they didn't write the character out. March 28, 2021, 6:21 am, by 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. Bea Benaderet has amassed a sizable fortune through her many endeavors, but her exact net worth has yet to be published. Bea Benaderet, who played matriarch Kate Bradley, passed away in 1968 at age 62 from lung cancer. 2, including Jack Bannon. Then they reference how Bea Benaderet played Cousin Pearl and called the two look-alikes. She appeared in 2 episodes of The Bob Cummings Show which written by Paul Henning. What more could you ask for? Bea Benaderet is a voice actor known for voicing Betty Rubble, Granny, and Witch Hazel. . [and] Bea said, 'That's fine with me. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame honoring her work in television. 'Whos the Boss? [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. The actress, whose career spanned four decades, was 62, according to the Los Angeles Times. The segment then resumed and Benaderet struck Keating with the book. Her treatment was effective and finished up in January 1968. So, it shouldnt really be that big of a surprise that, with numbers like those, celebrities would face the same risk of dying [] More, Bea Benaderets Last Episode of Petticoat Junction is Hard to Watch, How Each Blazing Saddles Cast Member Died, Scientists Discovered Evidence That Exposes An Ancient Lie About Woolly Mammoths, Handlers Thought This Owl Was Male For 23 Years Then He Laid An Egg, This Baby Elephant Decided To Spend His Last Days Alongside This Creature, Woman Adpots Tiny, Adorable Puppy. [68][94][95][96][13] She had previously played supporting roles throughout her career, usually as a next-door neighbor,[55][94][97] and had been openly averse to leading roles. She could read and write, and the curled hair seemed to Pearl the height of smartness. 13 of 22. 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. [119] Benaderet was good friends and a frequent collaborator with Mel Blanc, who wrote in his 1988 biography That's Not All Folks! This was relatively rare for the time. Ruth had loads of fond memories from visiting her grandmother. Barney (Mel Blanc), wife Betty (Bea Benaderet, later Gerry Johnson), and their super-strong adopted . For Betty Jo, Bea Benaderet stepped in and finally suggested Hennings own daughter, Linda. 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. . [45] She was the only secondary cast member who appeared in every episode[16] and the first six shows were shot live in New York, resulting in Benaderet commuting to Los Angeles, where she was working several radio assignments at the time. 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. "[68] Benaderet and director Richard Whorf auditioned the young actresses who would play Kate's three teenaged daughters;[70] she persuaded Henning to let his 18-year-old daughter Linda read (successfully) for the role of Betty Jo Bradley. "The world had been unaware that [Benederet was] diagnosed with lung cancer in 1967. In fact, it was Lucille Ball who originally wanted Bea Benaderet to take on the role. The audience loved her and couldnt imagine the show without her! Oddly enough, she didnt get credit for her work with Warner Bros. as she was a freelance artist rather than under a fixed contract. Filmography The Flintstones - Betty Rubble (Seasons 1-4) Roles Betty Rubble (1960-1963) Categories Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted. She appeared in a wide variety of television work, which included a starring role in the 1960s television series Petticoat Junction and Green Acres as Shady Rest Hotel owner Kate Bradley, supporting roles as Blanche Morton in The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show and as the voice of . They just never use it. Bea Benaderet's Volunteering The couple had no children together, but Bea had two children, Margaret, and Jack from her first marriage to Jim Bannon, whom she divorced in 1950. Comment. 1947). June Lockhart joined Petticoat Junction after Benaderet's departure. . "Hiss and Make Up" (1943) "Puss n' Booty . Beatrice BenaderetApril 4, 1906New York City, New York, U.S. [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? "[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. 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. Incarnations View all 36 versions of Betty Rubble on BTVA. Before joining the Shady Rest Hotel, Bea Benaderet was a cartoon regular, specifically for. Why did Bea Benaderet leave the bachelorette? We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Residing in Bedrock, Fred Flintstone worked an unsatisfying quarry job, but returned home to lovely wife Wilma and eventually daughter Pebbles. [74], Benaderet played bit parts in six motion pictures from 1946 to 1962, four of which were uncredited. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! She also studied acting at his school. Edgar Buchanan and Linda Henning were in all 222 episodes. Benaderet first specialized in voiceover work in the golden age . [70] CBS promoted the show's September 22, 1963, premiere with a print ad featuring an Al Hirschfeld caricature of Benaderet as Cousin Pearl. Married to her second husband, Gene Twombly at the time, he passed four days after her death from a heart attack. But it didnt stop there. Cause of death 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! "[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. Probably the most harrowing was Bea Benaderets. [59] She appeared on the 19 episodes of the show he had written between 1947 and 1951. Her best friend is her next-door neighbor Wilma Flintstone. Find Bea Benaderet stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Why, hello there, and welcome to the Shady Rest Hoteland, of course, Petticoat Junction! Alison Pearce from Bewitched had an impressive career until her life got cut short, but not before she met the love of her life. 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. Date Of Death: Oct 13, 1968. Robin Williams Wanted His Children to Be Proud of Him Meet His 3 Kids Who He Cherished, Kate Spade Fell for Husband in University - She Referred to Him in Her Death Note to Her Daughter, 'M*A*S*H's Sally Kellerman Lost Husband & Daughter in 3 Months & Still 'Put on a Brave Front' Amid Grief, Ricky Nelsons Will Left 4 Kids Almost Nothing & They Became Successful Following in His Footsteps, Charlotte Rae's Husband Cheated on Her with Other Men He Could Not Marry His Love after Their Divorce, Susan Sullivan 'Forgot to Have Children' while Still Unmarried to Boyfriend of 34 Years, Woman Makes a Promise to Her Dying Husband, Gives Birth to His Twins 3 Years after His Death, Dennis Farina Never Revealed His Diagnosis In His Last Days, He Could Not Breathe, Zsa Zsa Gabor Was Buried Five Years after Her Death Inside Her Tragic Final Years, Ron Howard Was Most Concerned about His Kids' Values Inside His Decision to Protect Them, Mindy Cohns World Now after She Suddenly Felt Exhausted & Had to Fight for Her Life for 5 Years against Cancer, I Love Lucys Vivian Vance Was Afraid of Men & Rumored to Be a Lesbian - Meet Her 4 Spouses, Joan Rivers Spoke With Her Husband the Day Before He Was Found Lifeless With Tapes for Wife & Daughter, Kate Winslets 1st Husband Isolated Her from Family - She Divorced Him Shortly After Welcoming Their Baby. When the shows ran at the same time, Cady maintained the role across them all. It was because of her role as Blanche that she could not accept the part of Ethel Mertz in I Love Lucy (1951), which was offered to her by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Vander Pyl recalled in 1994: "I said, 'Oh, I want to be Wilma!' Animator Chuck Jones praised Bea Benaderet for her portrayal as Mama Bear and her incredible range as a voice actress. Bea Benaderet (born Beatrice Benaderet; April 4, 1906 October 13, 1968) was an American actress who was the original voice of Betty Rubbleduring the first four seasons of the original series,The Flintstones. Benaderet received her big break when she was cast as a regular on "The Jack Benny Program" (CBS 1932-1955) in 1939 and subsequently became a ubiquitous radio presence with high society matron Mrs Carstairs in "Fibber McGee and Molly" (NBC 1935-1959), nasal-voiced maid Gloria in "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" (CBS Radio 1944-1954) and ': 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. Bea Benaderet. [61][62] After reading the 1961 first script for The Beverly Hillbillies, Benaderet wanted to audition for the role of Granny. But we almost had actress and model Sharon Tate, who had been very quickly hailed as the most promising newcomer of her era, and later the tragic victim of the horrifying Manson cult murder spree. Facts Verse Prior to shooting the pilot, Benaderet enlisted a dialect coach to help her learn a hillbilly accent. 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. She headlined the sitcom Petticoat Junction, which ran for seven seasons from 1963-69, though she passed away three episodes into the sixth season. January 27, 2023, 6:25 pm, Trending She also provided the voice for several Warner Brothers cartoons, usually for females (those Mel Blanc could not do), like Tweety's owner, "Granny". Sometimes life is more remarkable than fiction. Lung cancer [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. They can be enjoyed on their own of course, but fans enjoy the crossover episodes, too. If the character of Sam Drucker looks familiar, thats because he and his actor Frank Cady have been in ALL 3 Paul Henning creations. At the age of 11, she acted in a school play where she had a small role as a bearded old man! Take a visual walk through their career and see 75 images of the characters they've voiced and listen to 4 clips that . by Anonymous reply 5 December 10, 2015 5:40 PM She was born in New York City but raised in San Francisco. She appeared in a wide variety of television work, which included a starring role in the 1960s television series . She initiated her acting journey after performing in Bay Area theatre and various radio shows before she embarked on the Hollywood. [86] Rosemary DeCamp (Kate's sister Helen) and Shirley Mitchell (Kate's cousin Mae Jennings) filled in as temporary mother figures during her absence; Mitchell had previously worked with Benaderet on The Jack Benny Program in 195455 as Mabel Flapsaddle. She was replaced by Gerry Johnson. January 27, 2023, 7:28 pm, by [84] On November 26, she underwent the surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, when it was discovered the tumor could not be removed. [42] In 1955, she was succeeded by June Foray as Warner's premier female voice artist. [84] She resisted immediate exploratory surgery as she was filming the fifth season of Petticoat Junction and feared the show would be affected by her absence. Born in New York City and raised in San Francisco, California, she had a remarkable career in radio and television. Benaderet first specialized in voice-over work in the golden age of radio, appearing on . With her radio performances, her voice became well-known throughout the country. Her most famous roles included Granny in the film Tweetie Pie and Mama Bear in several of the Three Bears short films. Some of her popular characters included Little Red Riding Hood, Witch Hazel, and Miss Prissy. [13], The following year, her participation in a children's production of The Beggar's Opera resulted in a local radio station manager inviting her to a one-time performance on one of his programs, for which she was paid $10. " She was one of the actresses to lend her voice to Betty Rubble on The Flintstones. At first, this looks like a reference to the man vs dog rivalry they had going on. If you liked this story, hit the like button and be sure to Subscribe to FactsVerse for more great stories! Chest pains related to her sickness required her to come back to the hospital for the last time. She performed in a variety of radio plays and involved in acting, singing, writing, and even producing. '"[96] When she was introduced to Orson Welles in 1936, he remarked that her name "sounded like something you ad lib in a mob scene. Even before Cheers and its own spinoffs like Frasier and The Tortellis, Petticoat Junction ignited an ambitious trend to form its own sitcom world with friendly callbacks from previously known characters. February 19, 2023, 6:22 am, by Popular, by 13 days later, The Valley Has a Baby aired, and this was the last time that fans would get a chance to watch Bea on TV. At the time of her death, the Indianapolis Star reported Benaderet had completed filming for. During her career, Bea received 125 acting credits, mostly in television series and includes voice-over work.