Mitzi Hoag, who had a long and successful career in television and film, passed away on February 26, 2019 at her home in Sherman Oaks, California. She was 86 years old. The cause of her death has not been disclosed by her family or representatives. Hoag is survived by her husband of 47 years, Jonathan Beggs, her daughter Abbie Wolfson-Sanger, and grandsons James and Joseph Sanger.
Early Life and Education
Hoag was born Margaret Myrtle Hoag on September 25, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio. She was a bright and talented student who graduated from John Marshall High School in 1949. She then attended Shimer College in Illinois, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in two years. She continued her education at Case Western Reserve University, where she studied drama at the graduate level for two years.
Acting Career
Hoag moved to New York in the mid-1950s, where she studied acting with Herbert Berghof. She starred in the off-Broadway hit Heloise, an adaptation of the story of Heloise and Abelard, in 1958. She then moved to Hollywood, where she married Stephen Wolfson, who had a bit part in Heloise. They had a daughter together, but later divorced.
Hoag made her film debut in Tammy and the Doctor in 1963, and appeared in several other movies, such as The Trip and Devil’s Angels. She also guest-starred on numerous TV shows, such as That Girl, Gunsmoke, Police Woman, The Rockford Files, and The Partridge Family. She had recurring roles on shows like Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, Highway to Heaven, Father Murphy, The Facts of Life, and Here Come the Brides. She played a mother with three kids and a lawyer husband on We’ll Get By, a comedy created by Alan Alda that lasted for 13 episodes in 1975.
Legacy and Honors
Hoag was a versatile and talented actress who could play a variety of roles, from comedy to drama. She was loved by her fans and colleagues for her warmth and professionalism. She was also an avid environmentalist and animal lover, who supported causes like Tree People and the Sierra Club. She was cremated and her ashes scattered at sea, according to her wishes.
Hoag’s work and life will be remembered and celebrated by her family, friends, and fans. She was a remarkable woman who left a lasting impression on the entertainment industry and the world. Rest in peace, Mitzi Hoag.
