Alice Ghostley was a versatile and talented actress and singer who appeared on stage, film and television for over five decades. She was best known for her comedic roles as bumbling witch Esmeralda on Bewitched, as Cousin Alice on Mayberry R.F.D., and as Bernice Clifton on Designing Women, for which she received an Emmy nomination in 1992. She also won a Tony Award for her performance in the play The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window in 1965. But how did Alice Ghostley die and what was her cause of death? Here are some facts about her life and death that you may not know.
Early Life and Career
Alice Ghostley was born on August 14, 1923 at a train station in Eve, Missouri, where her father worked as a telegraph operator. She grew up in various towns in the Midwest, such as Arkansas and Oklahoma, and began performing from the age of five. She attended the University of Oklahoma, but dropped out to pursue a career in theater. She moved to New York with her sister Gladys, and they formed an act called “The Ghostley Sisters”. Alice eventually went solo and developed her own cabaret show as a singer and comedienne. She also worked as a secretary, a waitress, a detective agency employee, and a detergent patch tester to make ends meet.
She made her Broadway debut in Leonard Sillman’s New Faces of 1952, where she sang the satirical song “The Boston Beguine”. She also appeared in the film version of the revue in 1954. She continued to work on Broadway in musicals such as Shangri-La, Pal Joey, and Master Class, and comedies such as A Thurber Carnival, The Beauty Part (for which she received a Tony nomination), and Maybe Tuesday. She also appeared on television as one of the ugly stepsisters in the 1957 musical production of Cinderella, starring Julie Andrews.
Television Fame and Recognition
Alice Ghostley became a familiar face on television in the 1960s and 1970s, appearing on various sitcoms and variety shows. She was a favorite of Jackie Gleason, who featured her in his “American Scene Magazine” sketches. She also guest-starred on shows such as Car 54, Where Are You?, The Tom Ewell Show, The Mothers-in-Law, Hogan’s Heroes, Love American Style, The Odd Couple, Maude, and Good Times.
She gained popularity for her recurring roles on several hit shows, such as Bewitched, where she played Esmeralda, a shy and clumsy witch who often messed up her spells. She joined the show in 1969 after the death of Alice Pearce, who played Gladys Kravitz, the nosy neighbor. She also played Cousin Alice on Mayberry R.F.D., a spin-off of The Andy Griffith Show. She was a regular on Nichols, starring James Garner, and The Julie Andrews Hour.
In the 1980s and 1990s, she continued to work on television, appearing on shows such as Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Newhart, Murder She Wrote, Golden Girls, Evening Shade, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Her most memorable role during this period was Bernice Clifton on Designing Women, where she played the eccentric and hilarious friend of the main characters. She received an Emmy nomination for this role in 1992.
Personal Life and Death
Alice Ghostley married actor Felice Orlandi in 1953. They met while performing in a play together. They had no children of their own, but they adopted a son named Carlo. They remained married until Orlandi’s death in 2003.
Ghostley suffered from colon cancer for several years before her death. She also had a series of strokes that affected her speech and mobility. She died on September 21, 2007 at her home in Studio City, California. She was 84 years old. Her death was confirmed by her publicist (according to IMDb). She was cremated and her ashes were scattered at sea.
Alice Ghostley was a beloved actress and singer who brought joy and laughter to millions of people with her unique talent and personality. She left behind a legacy of memorable performances that will always be remembered by her fans and admirers.
