Ellen Corby was born Ellen Hansen on June 3, 1911, in the charming city of Racine, Wisconsin. She embarked on her acting journey, initially playing numerous uncredited bit parts from the late 1920s through the 1930s. A hiatus from the big screen ensued, until 1945, when she appeared in the film Cornered. The following year, she took on 14 film roles, although many of these were small and minor. One notable exception was her part in the beloved Christmas classic, It's a Wonderful Life, released in 1946.
A highlight of her career came in 1948 with her portrayal of Aunt Trina in I Remember Mama, earning her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Although she didn't win the coveted award, it marked a significant milestone in her career. Despite not achieving the same level of recognition as some of her contemporaries, Corby continued to take on minor roles in films.
However, it was television where she would ultimately receive the acclaim she deserved. She consistently delivered outstanding performances, with one of her most memorable roles being Myrt "Hubcaps" Leshin in The Andy Griffith Show. She played the ringleader of a gang that stole cars and sold them, and even sold Barney Fife a stolen car that turned out to be a lemon.
The series that brought her widespread recognition, however, was the highly acclaimed The Waltons, in which she played the role of Esther "Grandma" Walton. Her performance earned her Emmy awards in 1973, 1974, and 1975. Although a stroke in 1976 slowed her down, Corby continued to make appearances on the series.
Her last TV appearance was in the 1997 TV movie A Walton Easter. Sadly, Ellen Corby passed away on April 14, 1999, at the Motion Picture & Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, at the age of 87.
