Shirley Mitchell

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Shirley Mitchell (born November 4, 1919) is an American film and television actress.

Actress. She began her career on radio starring on such shows as "The Great Gildersleeve" and "Fibber, McGee & Molly", and is most remembered for her role as Lucy Ricardo's friend, 'Marion Strong' on the television situation comedy "I Love Lucy" which starred Lucille Ball, who became her good friend during Ball's radio days on "My Favorite Husband". Mitchell came to Los Angeles, Californoa in the 1940s and transitioned to television, landing a role on "I Married Joan". She joined the cast of "I Love Lucy" for the 1953-54 season and appeared in three episodes. Throughout her career she was very much in demand, appearing regularly in such shows as "Bachelor Father", "Please Don't Eat the Daisies", "Petticoat Junction, "The Beverly Hillbillies" and "The Red Skelton Hour". On film she appeared in such films as 'Jamboree' (1944), 'Desk Set' (1957), 'Big Business' (1988) and 'The War of the Roses' (1989). Mitchell, who was the widow of songwriter Jay Livingston, died of heart failure.

Mitchell was born in Toledo, Ohio and attended the University of Toledo and the University of Michigan.

A prolific radio and TV actress, Ms. Mitchell was a regular on such classic radio series as "Fibber McGee and Molly" and "The Great Gildersleeve," and on television, "Pete & Gladys" (Janet Colton), "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" (Marge Thornton), and "Bachelor Father" (Kitty Deveraux). She also made frequent appearances on other TV shows, including "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "Perry Mason." Ms. Mitchell's feature film credits include "Desk Set," "Big Business," and "The War of the Roses." Best Known for playing Lucy Ricardo's girlfriend, Marion Strong on I Love Lucy, in "Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress" (Episode #69). She made two more appearances as Marion, on "Lucy's Club Dance", and on "Lucy Tells the Truth". She was the wife of composer Jay Livingston (1915-2001).

After moving to Chicago, she appeared in the network broadcast of The First Nighter and played small parts in various soap operas including The Story of Mary Marlin and The Road of Life.

With Shirley's passing, the only surviving cast member who had a recurring role on TV's I Love Lucy (1951) is Richard Keith (Little Ricky).

After moving to Los Angeles, she played opposite Joan Davis in The Sealtest Village Store. She also starred as Louella in The Life of Riley and joined the cast of Fibber McGee and Molly as Alice Darling in 1943. Her most prominent radio role was that of the charismatic Southern belle Leila Ransom on The Great Gildersleeve radio show beginning in September 1942.

In 1953, Shirley joined the cast of I Love Lucy playing the part of Lucy Ricardo's friend Marion Strong. As of 2011, she is one of two recurring cast members still living (the other is Doris Singleton, who played Caroline Appleby). A third cast member, Peggy Rea, who played a regular clubwoman/card player died on February 5, 2011 at age 89.

In 1962, she played Mrs. Colton on the CBS-TV comedy series Pete and Gladys, and between 1965–1967, she appeared as neighbor Marge Thornton on NBC-TVs Please Don't Eat the Daisies. In the same year she appeared in Episode 13, Season 2 of The Dick Van Dyke Show when she played Shirley Rogers opposite Bob Crane as Harry Rogers in Somebody Has to Play Cleopatra.

In 1963, she appeared on the television program The Beverly Hillbillies as Opal Clampett (the wife of Jake Clampett, an out-of-work actor).

In 1966, she appeared in Green Acres as a nurse and as Oliver's old friend Wanda.

In 1968, she appeared in the Season 1 finale of The Doris Day Show as Mrs. Loomis, a woman who accuses Billy of stealing $5.00 from her purse after she dropped it. Between 1967 and 1968, she portrayed Kate Bradley's cousin Mae on Petticoat Junction.

Her career began on radio shows, including "The Great Gildersleeve" and "Fibber McGee & Molly". She became friends with Lucille Ball during the redhead's radio days on "My Favorite Husband". Mitchell moved to Los Angeles in the 1940s and transitioned to television.

Is interred at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles, CA, beside her husband.

In 1972, she was the voice of Laurie Holiday on the Hanna-Barbera cartoon series, The Roman Holidays.

Personal life

In 1992, she married songwriter Jay Livingston and the two remained married until his death in 2001. She was previously married to Julian Frieden with whom she had two children.

Other

In 2007, she appeared at the 5th Annual TV Land Awards where Lucille Ball was posthumously awarded the 'Legacy of Laughter' award.