[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. [112] Donna Douglas said, "Watching her timing is like watching a ballerina. Rock stars are infamous for their insatiable appetites for all things in excess. The wedding episode between Betty Jo and Steve aired in November 1967. T therealjm12 Leading Participant Feb 4, 2013 #7 I think that Bea Benaderet was one of the most talented character actress in the early days of television. It meant a lot to them.. Bea Bernaderet had a successful career in theatre but also wanted to try out new mediums. Beatrice Benaderet (BEN--DERR-t; April 4, 1906- October 13, 1968) was an American actress and comedienne. Apparently, they arent subscribers to the old adage that too much of a good thing can actually be a bad thing. 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. Benaderet voiced various one-time parts before joining the main cast as Iris, neighbor and friend of Ball's character Liz Cooper. Died Mrs. Whitney Dr. Ruth Martin He wrote several episodes for the radio show and impressed by Beas talent. Ruth had loads of fond memories from visiting her grandmother. Chest pains related to her sickness required her to come back to the hospital for the last time. He was always a contributor for the Hillbillies but reportedly wrote a larger share of Petticoat episodes. Goldmark & Granata (2002), pg. [102][103], Benaderet garnered praise for her mastery of dialects[92][104][105][106] and her work as a comedienne and character actress,[107][103][108] while she is recognized for her voice characterizations in animation. . She made her radio debut when she was 12 years young. Its the Ladybugs, led by Billie, Bobbie, and Betty Jo themselves! They can be enjoyed on their own of course, but fans enjoy the crossover episodes, too. | Photo: YouTube/CLASSIC COMEDY CHANNEL. But if you look closely, you can see the toll the treatment took, as shes noticeably thinner and weaker. Bea was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent weeks of laser radiation treatment at Stanford University Medical Center. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Popular Pages Check out the New Peacemaker Community Sponsored by Benaderet was then a prominent figure on television in situation comedies, first with The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show from 1950 to 1958, for which she earned two Emmy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress. In 1936, she started her profession in network radio, becoming a regular member of Orson Welles' performing company on "The Campbell Playhouse. Lets look back at Bea Benaderets incredible life and career and her final episodes of Petticoat Junction. Before joining the Shady Rest Hotel, Bea Benaderet was a cartoon regular, specifically for Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies. Nationality 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. I can walk on the set in the morning not thinking I can put one foot in front of the other, and then on stage, something happens. 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. [66] Impressed with her performance while screening the pilot to potential sponsors,[16] Henning made Cousin Pearl a recurring character in the 196263 first season as she moved into the Clampetts' Beverly Hills mansion, feuded with Granny, and pursued oil tycoon Mr. Brewster (Frank Wilcox) as a love interest. 19261968 Daws. This was a popular American sitcom that ran over 12 seasons and 380 episodes from 1960 to 1972. Bea Benaderet (April 4, 1906 - October 13, 1968) was an American actress, born in New York City and raised in San Francisco, California. [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. 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! And all that reminiscing beautifully rounded out the Shady Rest. 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[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. Date Of Birth: Apr 4, 1906. Yeah, Id say the resemblance is pretty strong! They even performed on The Ed Sullivan Show with a cover of I Saw Her Standing There, but changed the title just for Ed to be I Saw Him Standing There. How Clever! Throughout its 7 season run, Petticoat Junction had a few noteworthy cast changes. 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. She actually completed some promotional shots for the show, but never filmed because it came out that she had done nude photos for Playboy. "[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. 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. Born in New York City and raised in San Francisco, California, she had a remarkable career in radio and television. Comment. [19][20][21], In 1926, Benaderet joined the staff of San Francisco radio station KFRC, which was under the new ownership of Don Lee and where her duties included acting, singing, writing, and producing. [53], Benaderet became a fixture on television in the 1960s, which included working on two shows simultaneously from 1960 to 1964. 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. Her best friend is her next-door neighbor Wilma Flintstone . "[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. [73] Her former Flintstones costars Alan Reed and Jean Vander Pyl filmed guest spots in later seasons. With her radio performances, her voice became well-known throughout the country. Benaderet died on 10/13/68. Born Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Margaret Benaderet (105540832)? Before even seeing her face, we knew her voice from radio programs with Jack Benny and Mel Blanc. [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. She is the beautiful and very attractive wife of caveman Barney Rubble, the adoptive mother of Bamm-Bamm Rubble, and the grandmother of Chip and Roxy. Residing in Bedrock, Fred Flintstone worked an unsatisfying quarry job, but returned home to lovely wife Wilma and eventually daughter Pebbles. [78], Benaderet and her first husband, actor Jim Bannon, met while employed at KHJ in Los Angeles. Kate Bradely stopped appearing in some episodes of Petticoat Junction so that Bea could look after her health. Heisner, John (October 15, 1968). Instead, they brought in Rosemary DeCampto play Aunt Helen. Some theorists even [] More, Are you a fan of sitcom My Three Sons? Move over, Partridge Family, theres another rocking set of relatives with a band ready to step out of the TV and onto the stage! And if something isnt broke, dont fix it. [27], Benaderet relocated to Hollywood in 1936 and joined radio station KHJ,[28] making her network radio debut with Orson Welles for his Mercury Theatre repertory company heard on The Campbell Playhouse. Unfortunately, the cancer continued to grow and took its toll on her. When Bea saw Irene Ryan at the audition, she told producer/creator Paul Henning, " There's your Granny! [3][29] The following year she received her first big break in the industry on The Jack Benny Program, where she played Gertrude Gearshift, a wisecracking telephone operator who gossiped about Jack Benny with her cohort Mabel Flapsaddle (Sara Berner). show revolved around Kate Bradleys family, Alison Pearce from Bewitched had an impressive career. Bea Benaderet. Bea Benaderet. During her young age, she began taking voice and piano lessons. [44] However, Benaderet had to turn down the offer since she was contracted to the television adaptation of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, so Vivian Vance was eventually cast. [and] Bea said, 'That's fine with me. ", Gale Gordon and Bea Benaderet performing in Granby's Green Acres in 1950. She also became known as the voice of Betty Rubble in The Flinstones. She opposed quick exploratory medical procedure as she was filming the fifth season of "Petticoat Junction" at the time. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! While the show featured a great ensemble cast, Bea really stood out with her performances. 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. 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. In his own mind he believed he was the reason for the success of the show. 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 . Her most famous roles included Granny in the film Tweetie Pie and Mama Bear in several of the Three Bears short films. [38][109][110][111] MeTV considered her an "icon" of 1960s television. [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. She performed in a variety of radio plays and involved in acting, singing, writing, and even producing. Bea had worked with George Burns and Gracie Allen on the radio version of the show. She later cast as Cousin Pearl Bodine in The Beverly Hillbillies after initially being considered for the role as Granny. 1 Year-Later She Realizes Her Huge Mistake, Bebe Buell Reveals Everything About Her Rock Star Romances, The Real Reason Peter Lawford Got Kicked Out of the Rat Pack, Pam Dawber is Unrecognizable Today (Try Not to Gasp), Why Jan Smithers DISAPPEARED After WKRP in Cincinnati, Celebrities Who Died Due to Medical Malpractice, The ONE Time Dolly Parton Got Naked in Public, Rare Photos of Lynda Carter Not Suitable for All Ages, The Tragic Death of Robert Urich & His Wife, The Tragic Life and Demise of Angie Dickinson, How Each Gilligans Island Cast Member Died. Bea Benaderet's first major starring role on television was sadly her last. In a remarkably similar story, another comedienne from the same era got diagnosed with cancer while in the midst of starring in a comedic television series. At the time of her death, the Indianapolis Star reported Benaderet had completed filming for. June Foray, Bea Benaderet, Gerry Johnson are the voices of Betty Rubble in The Flintstones, and Mariko Mukai is the Japanese voice. They share two children Jack and Maggie. Karol (2006), p. 15-16 ("One of the most prolific actresses ever, she appeared in more than 600 series episodes all sitcoms, one [. Bea Benaderet in 1966. [3], Benaderet continued her Burns & Allen radio role of the Burns' neighbor Blanche Morton, Gracie's friend and staunchest supporter in her escapades. [68] Cousin Pearl was consequently written out of the Beverly Hillbillies storyline as having moved back home. 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. [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. Thats right, he was the titular Benji, still ready to help out anyone in need. [12], Benaderet was raised Catholic and attended grade school at a Dominican convent. [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 initiated her acting journey after performing in Bay Area theatre and various radio shows before she embarked on the Hollywood. Get the best viral stories straight into your inbox! October 13, 1968 (aged 62)Los Angeles, California, U.S. The audience loved her and couldnt imagine the show without her! 146 (Segment by. "On October 13, 1968, at the age of sixty-two, Bea lost her battle with cancer at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. Facts Verse March 27, 2021 12:56 PM Aunt Bee had psychological issues and before she died she apologized to that execrable bastard Andy Griffith for her unkind behavior. Hit the bell icon to receive regular notifications! Bea Benaderet was a voice and television actress of the post-war era, best remembered for the CBS TV comedies, 'The Burns and Allen Show', 'The Beverly Hillbillies' and 'Petticoat Junction'. Bea Benaderet has amassed a sizable fortune through her many endeavors, but her exact net worth has yet to be published. Did you grow up watching the show Petticoat Junction? [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. Four days after her demise and the day after her burial service, Bea's husband, Eugene Twombly, passed away from a massive heart attack. '"[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. because the scripts for the season 1 and season 4 Christmas specials were exactly the same. The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. [16] Benaderet worked sparsely in 1959,[52] filming one-time appearances on General Electric Theater and The Restless Gun. Joe Barbera thought about calling the show The Gladstones, then decided on The Flagstones until he realized there was a comic strip with the same name. According to IMDB, It was because of her role as Blanche that she couldn't accept the part of Ethel Mertz in "I Love Lucy" (1951), which was offered to her by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. [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. Her voice had become famous on the radio, and it was now time for her to give a shot at animated films. Take a visual walk through their career and see 75 images of the characters they've voiced and listen to 4 clips that . [90] However, her condition dramatically declined; on September 26, chest pains related to her illness forced her to return to the hospital for the final time. 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. 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. 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 Benny, Burns and Allen, and Lucille Ball. "The world had been unaware that [Benederet was] diagnosed with lung cancer in 1967. 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. '"[64] He additionally took Benaderet's suggestion of casting Harriet MacGibbon as Granny's rival Margaret Drysdale. TV Show: The Flintstones Franchise: Flintstones. Instead, they brought in Rosemary DeCamp to play Aunt Helen. Nevertheless, she worked hard till the very end and is remembered as a brilliant actress and a consummate professional. Bea resumed her role as Kate Bradley in 1968, but after filming five episodes for the 1968-69 season, she left again, and this time, she didnt return. 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. In 1959, they filmed a 90-second pilot. But she ended up spilling the beans on one of the most embarrassing chapters of her life instead. Some of her popular characters included Little Red Riding Hood, Witch Hazel, and Miss Prissy. Hassan From expensive cars to enormous mansions to copious quantities [] More, While Peter Lawford might the least well-known member of the Rat Pack, he is sometimes referred to as the Man Who Kept The Secrets due to his secretive efforts to connect Marilyn Monroe and his brother-in-law JFK. Ruth had loads of fond memories from visiting her grandmother. Whats a great episode that you remember? [85] Initial plans were for her to record her voice to be inserted into future episodes. She also studied acting at his school. [83], During a routine checkup in 1963, a spot was discovered on one of Benaderet's lungs. [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. But it didnt stop there. June Foray . Popular, by 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. Then they reference how Bea Benaderet played Cousin Pearl and called the two look-alikes. 1950)Eugene Twombly(m. 1957; her death 1968) Despite considering her to be too buxom for his vision of the character as a small and wiry woman, Henning allowed her to test anyway. 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. 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 . [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? Actress. [55] Benaderet considered herself "lucky" to be cast in another series out of fear that she had become too closely associated with Burns & Allen. 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. 1.6k Views. Legendary actress Bea Benaderet began her starring role as Kate Bradley on the hit sitcom "Petticoat Junction" in 1963 and proceeded with the part until the time of her death. Bea [76], In 1945, Benaderet and fellow voice actresses Janet Waldo and Cathy Lewis were to appear on a televised fashion show on her former KFRC employer Don Lee's W6XAO network before the project fell through. "Today's Channel Check". By the mid-1950s, she also began looking for on-screen work. 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. [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. Bea Benaderet made money by Actors niche. Select from premium Bea Benaderet of the highest quality. In fact, Bea Benaderets last episode of Petticoat Junction is hard to watch knowing that she suffered from lung cancer. They can be enjoyed on their own of course, but fans enjoy the crossover episodes, too. 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. After all these years. Betty Rubble is a fictional character in the television animated series The Flintstones and its spin-offs and live-action motion pictures. She . The other women I've played were strictly for laughs. 2022524 He has also accomplished a ton in his career, including NBA Titles and individual records. Her major breaks in radio came on The Jack Benny Program and as a member of Orson Welles's Mercury Theatre repertory company. Bea was famous for her sound long before most people knew what she looked like. In the years before her death, Bea had a remarkable career in radio and television. Facts Verse Oak Island is a privately owned island that sits off the coast of Nova Scotia in Canada. She was one of the few female voice artists associated with Warner Bros studio in its early days. Beatrice "Bea" Benaderet (April 4, 1906 - October 13, 1968) was an American radio and television actress, comedienne, and voice artist. Why did Bea benaderet leave the Flintstones? From this young age, she decided that she wanted to pursue acting as a full-time career. Beverly Hillbillies was such an immediate hit, it spawned the creation of Petticoat Junction. Do you think that Petticoat Junction still holds up today? She was considered an icon of 1960s television. She headlined the sitcom Petticoat Junction, which ran for seven seasons from 1963-69, though she passed away three episodes into the sixth season. I would die if I didn't work. . She especially showed aptitude in performing a variety of characters and speaking with different dialects and accents. Click on archived link for complete listing. For all time, at the moment, 2023 year, Bea Benaderet earned $18 Million. Bea Benaderet 1906 - 1968 . Bea's big break as a comedian came three years later on Jack Benny's show. She appeared in plays such as Uncle Toms Cabin and Polly Lysistrata. Why did she leave the show? [92] She was entombed in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood. Died October 13, 1968 Biography Read More One of the busiest voice actors of the post-war era, radio star Bea Benaderet then became a fixture of CBS TV comedy with roles in "The Burns and Allen Show" (CBS 1950-1958), "The Beverly Hillbillies" (CBS 1962-1971) and "Petticoat Junction" (CBS 1963-1970). But actually, Buchanan was the only cast member that Higgins behaved for. [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. 'Whos the Boss? Bea would make a huge impact on pop culture as the voice of Betty Rubble in The Flintstones. Maybe this was a preview of things to come, because they split up five years later. Bea was better than her medium and her material. Beatrice Benaderet (/bndrt/ BEN--DERR-t; April 4, 1906 - October 13, 1968) was an American radio and television actress and voice actress. 1960s sitcom fans owe a lot to one man: Paul Henning, the man behind. They just never use it. Betty Rubble VOICE. She also garnered a reputation as being a great professional. Career Sadly, the cancer returned, and her condition declined. [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. Married to her second husband, Gene Twombly at the time, he passed four days after her death from a heart attack. Alternate names She got her own spinoff. by Anonymous reply 5 December 10, 2015 5:40 PM We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Click the bell icon to get notifications from FactsVerse and watch more pop culture videos and interesting stories. Her acting job was her main source of income. ", "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. "[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]. She reprised her role as the secretary Blanche in the TV show. [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. [25] The 1950 CBS program Granby's Green Acres, a perceived spinoff of My Favorite Husband,[36] was her one radio lead role and reunited her with Gordon as a husband and wife who abandon city life to become farmers, but it lasted only eight episodes. Oddly enough, the switch might have been unnecessary, since years later their major spokes model Marilyn Chambers ended up doing a very similar shoot. Paul Henning was best known for his role in creating The Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction. On the latter show, Bea Benaderet was cast as Kate Bradley and this remains one of the best roles that defined her career. When she was cast in "Petticoat Junction" as Kate Bradley in 1963, Bea was recognized as having "finally" become a star. 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. 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. . [119] Benaderet was good friends and a frequent collaborator with Mel Blanc, who wrote in his 1988 biography That's Not All Folks! He was entombed beside her. She is the voice of Betty Rubble on The Flintstones that's handily the first place I ever encountered her. S.Z., Kissimmee. I said yes". Bea Benaderet met Paul Henning back in the 1940s while she was working on the radio production of Burns and Allen.