Emmaline Henry was a talented and versatile actress who rose to fame for her role as Amanda Bellows, the wife of Dr. Alfred Bellows, on the hit 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. She also appeared in many other TV shows and movies, such as Rosemary’s Baby, The Bob Newhart Show, and Three’s Company. However, her life and career were cut short by a devastating illness that claimed her life at the age of 50. What was Emmaline Henry’s cause of death and how did she cope with it? Here is a brief overview of her life, career, and tragic demise.
Early Life and Career
Emmaline Henry was born on November 1, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She began her career as a singer, appearing on local radio in her teens. She moved to Hollywood in the early 1950s and found her way into the choruses of several musicals. Producers soon noticed that her comic skills were superior to her singing, and she started to get more acting roles. She toured in musicals like Top Banana, and later appeared in the film version of the show. She succeeded Carol Channing in the play Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Henry made her television debut in a 1955 episode of the ZIV production, I Led Three Lives. This was followed by appearances in another ZIV TV show, as a gun moll robber in Highway Patrol. She appeared on The Red Skelton Show in 1961 and, subsequently, made guest appearances on various sitcoms, including The Farmer’s Daughter, The Munsters and Petticoat Junction. Her first starring role was as John Astin’s wife in I’m Dickens, He’s Fenster.
I Dream of Jeannie and Other Roles
Henry’s most famous role was as Amanda Bellows, the wife of Dr. Alfred Bellows, on the hit 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. She first appeared during the first season of I Dream of Jeannie, 1965, episode #18, “Is There An Extra Genie In the House?” playing a magician’s assistant named “Myrt”. She then made 33 appearances as Amanda Bellows until the fifth and final season in 1970.
Henry’s character was a sweet and naive woman who often got caught up in the antics of Jeannie (Barbara Eden), a genie who lived with astronaut Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman). Henry had a great chemistry with Hayden Rorke, who played her husband Dr. Bellows, a NASA psychiatrist who was always suspicious of Tony’s strange behavior. Henry and Rorke often provided comic relief and added charm to the show.
Henry also made feature film appearances in Divorce American Style (1967), Rosemary’s Baby (1968) and Harrad Summer (1974). Following the cancellation of I Dream of Jeannie in 1970, Henry guest-starred on other sitcoms, including Love, American Style, The Bob Newhart Show, and in the dramatic television mini-series Backstairs at the White House. In 1971 she guest-starred in the final episode of Green Acres playing Lillian Grant, the sister of Oliver’s former secretary Carol Rush (Elaine Joyce). The episode was a backdoor pilot that was rejected by CBS. On Three’s Company, she appeared in the recurring role of Chrissy’s boss, J.C. Braddock. Her final appearance was the Eight Is Enough episode “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do”, which first aired on September 19, 1979.
Personal Life and Death
Henry married actor Mark Roberts on November 1, 1969. They divorced in 1974.
Henry died of a brain tumor on October 8, 1979, at the age of 50. She had been diagnosed with the disease earlier that year and underwent surgery to remove it. However, the tumor recurred and proved to be fatal. She passed away at a hospital in Palm Springs, California.
Henry’s death shocked and saddened her fans and colleagues. Barbara Eden paid tribute to her co-star on Twitter: “Emmaline Henry was one of my favorite people to work with on I Dream Of Jeannie . She was funny & sweet & always professional . We lost her too soon . RIP Emmaline .”
Henry is interred at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Emmaline Henry was a talented actress who brought joy and laughter to millions of viewers with her roles on TV and film. She will always be remembered as Amanda Bellows, the loyal and loving wife of Dr. Bellows on I Dream of Jeannie.
