A native Chicagoan of Polish descent, Arlene Golonka, a veteran character actress, seemed destined for a career in acting from the very start. This was largely due to the fact that she was named after the renowned silver screen actress, Arline Judge, and her childhood was dominated by singing and acting classes, laying the groundwork for her future endeavors.
As a young adult, Golonka headed to New York City at the age of 19, where she began her professional career on Broadway and in films made in the city. Her early roles often cast her as bubble-headed or eccentric blondes, frequently playing the part of a prostitute.
Later, in the late 1960s, Golonka relocated to Los Angeles, where she continued to play small roles in films while establishing an impressive resume in television. Over the course of the following three decades, she appeared in dozens of programs, frequently returning to the same show and sometimes playing different characters.
Golonka's extensive television appearances included some of the most iconic programs of her time, such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970, All in the Family in 1971, and M*A*S*H in 1972. However, she may have been best-known for her recurring role as "Millie" on Mayberry R.F.D. in 1968.
