Mabel Albertson was a talented actress who appeared in many films, TV shows, and stage productions. She was best known for her roles as Phyllis Stephens, the meddling mother-in-law of Darrin on Bewitched, and as the mother of Jack Benny on his comedy show. She also played memorable characters in movies such as What’s Up, Doc?, Barefoot in the Park, and Period of Adjustment. But behind the scenes, she was struggling with a devastating disease that slowly robbed her of her memory, personality, and ability to perform. This article will explore the life and career of Mabel Albertson, and how Alzheimer’s disease caused her death.
Early Life and Career
Mabel Albertson was born on July 24, 1901, in Haverhill, Massachusetts, to Russian-Jewish immigrants. Her younger brother was Jack Albertson, who would also become a famous actor. Their mother was a stock actress who supported the family by working in a shoe factory. Mabel graduated from the New England School of Speech and Expression, and started her show business career at age 13, playing piano behind palm trees for a reader. She later moved to California and became involved with the Pasadena Playhouse. She also worked in vaudeville, radio, and night clubs, appearing with Jimmy Durante.
She made her film debut in 1928, but did not find much success in movies until the 1950s, when she was already 50 years old. She was cast as the mother of Aileen Stanley Jr. in a Warner Bros. musical romance, and this launched her career as a character actress who specialized in playing haughty, judgmental, and often wealthy mothers, mothers-in-law, or aunts. She had a knack for making these obnoxious characters hilarious, and she was in high demand for both film and television roles.
Fame and Recognition
Mabel Albertson appeared in over 100 films and TV shows, working with some of the biggest stars and directors of her time. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her role as Phyllis Stephens on Bewitched, which she played from 1964 to 1971. She also received a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Mrs. Van Hoskins in What’s Up, Doc?, a comedy directed by Peter Bogdanovich and starring Barbra Streisand and Ryan O’Neal. She was praised by critics and audiences alike for her comic timing, facial expressions, and delivery of witty lines.
Some of her other notable roles include the mother of George Hamilton in All the Fine Young Cannibals, the mother-in-law of Anthony Franciosa in Period of Adjustment, the mother of Dick Van Dyke on The New Dick Van Dyke Show, and the mother of Mary Tyler Moore on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She also guest-starred on many popular TV shows, such as The Munsters, The Andy Griffith Show, That Girl, The Lucy Show, The Tom Ewell Show, The Paul Lynde Show, and Marcus Welby, M.D.
Decline and Death
Mabel Albertson’s career began to decline in the 1970s, as she started to show signs of Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive and incurable form of dementia that affects memory, cognition, and behavior. According to her ex-daughter-in-law, Cloris Leachman, Mabel Albertson suffered from seven years of poor health and was often confused and disoriented. She had to rely on cue cards and teleprompters to remember her lines, and sometimes forgot where she was or who she was working with. She also became paranoid and depressed, and isolated herself from her friends and family.
Mabel Albertson died on September 28, 1982, at the age of 81, at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California. The cause of death was Alzheimer’s disease, according to sitename NNDB. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. She was survived by her two children, George Englund and Patricia Englund, and her brother, Jack Albertson, who died a year later of cancer.
Legacy and Influence
Mabel Albertson was one of the most versatile and prolific actresses of her generation, who left a lasting impression on millions of viewers with her comedic skills and memorable characters. She was admired and respected by her peers and colleagues, who praised her professionalism, generosity, and kindness. She was also a trailblazer for older women in Hollywood, who proved that age was no barrier to success and recognition.
Mabel Albertson’s work has been preserved and celebrated in various media, such as DVDs, books, documentaries, and podcasts. She has also been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a plaque at the Pasadena Playhouse. Her fans and admirers continue to enjoy and appreciate her performances, and to remember her as a talented and beloved actress who brought joy and laughter to many.
