Vici Raaf was a talented actress who appeared in many popular TV shows and movies in the 1950s and 1960s. She was best known for her recurring role as Clara Appleby in The Red Skelton Hour, a comedy variety show that ran for over 20 years. She also had guest appearances in shows like The Andy Griffith Show, Gunsmoke, Rawhide, Hazel, and The Untouchables. She died on April 6, 1984, at the age of 62, in Los Angeles, California. But what was the cause of her death?
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Early Life and Career
Vici Raaf was born on June 30, 1921, in Wood River, Illinois, USA. She started her acting career in the late 1940s, appearing in small roles in films like The Second Woman, The Pride of St. Louis, and He Ran All the Way. She also did some theater work, performing in plays like The Seven Year Itch and The Tender Trap. According to IMDb1, she had 53 acting credits in her career, spanning from 1949 to 1967.
The Red Skelton Hour
Vici Raaf’s most memorable role was as Clara Appleby, the nagging wife of George Appleby, a character played by the show’s star, Red Skelton. The Applebys were a typical suburban couple who often got into hilarious situations and misunderstandings. Vici Raaf played Clara with a perfect blend of sarcasm, frustration, and affection. She and Skelton had great chemistry and comedic timing, making them one of the most popular duos on TV. Vici Raaf appeared in 20 episodes of The Red Skelton Hour, from 1952 to 1963.
Other Roles and Projects
Vici Raaf also had notable roles in other TV shows and movies. She played Marge, a friend of Shelley Winters’ character, in the 1951 film noir He Ran All the Way, which also starred John Garfield. She played Crystal Towers, a singer and dancer, in the 1963 musical The Yellow Canary, which featured Pat Boone and Barbara Eden. She also played Sue Grigsby, a schoolteacher who dated Andy Taylor, in an episode of The Andy Griffith Show in 1965. She also had a role in the 1960 TV movie Unsolved, which was based on a true story of a murder case.
Vici Raaf Cause of Death
Vici Raaf’s last acting credit was in 1967, when she appeared in two episodes of the sci-fi comedy It’s About Time, as Helen, a cave woman. After that, she retired from show business and lived a private life. She died on April 6, 1984, in Los Angeles, California. According to Find a Grave, her cause of death was cancer. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
Legacy and Influence
Vici Raaf was a versatile actress who could play both dramatic and comedic roles. She was admired by her peers and fans for her talent and charm. She left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a lasting impression on the entertainment industry. She was one of the pioneers of female comedy on TV, paving the way for future generations of comedians. She will always be remembered as Clara Appleby, the wife who loved and tormented George Appleby, and made millions of viewers laugh.
