Alice Ghostley was a talented comedic actress who made a name for herself on Broadway and later became a familiar presence on TV sitcoms and in occasional films during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Born in a small town in Missouri, Alice began performing at the age of 5 and went on to study drama at the University of Oklahoma. She eventually left college to pursue a career in New York City with her sister Gladys, and the two formed an act called "The Ghostley Sisters."
Alice's big break came when she sang the satirical song "The Boston Beguine" in the Broadway revue "New Faces of 1952," which also featured up-and-coming stars like Eartha Kitt and Paul Lynde. She went on to appear in several Broadway musicals, including "Sandhog," "Trouble in Tahiti," "Shangri-La," and "Maybe Tuesday," and received a Tony nomination for her work in "The Beauty Part."
Alice's success on stage led to TV roles, including appearances on "Perry Mason," "Naked City," and "The Hollywood Squares." She also had recurring roles on the TV shows "Bewitched" and "Designing Women," and appeared in several films, including "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Grease."
In the 1970s and 80s, Alice continued to work in TV and stage, appearing in shows like "Annie" and "Nunsense." She was married to Italian comedic actor Felice Orlandi for 50 years and did not have any children. Alice passed away on September 21, 2007, at the age of 81, due to complications from colon cancer.
