Ann Sothern

Ann Sothern, born on January twenty-second, nineteen oh nine, was a versatile American actress whose career spanned nearly six decades across stage, radio, film, and television. She began her journey in the late 1920s, taking on bit parts in films before making her Broadway debut in nineteen thirty. Her talent quickly propelled her into starring roles, showcasing her remarkable range as a performer.

In nineteen thirty-nine, Sothern gained widespread recognition when MGM cast her as Maisie Ravier, a spirited and endearing Brooklyn showgirl. The character resonated with audiences, leading to a successful film series that included titles like Congo Maisie, Gold Rush Maisie, and Up Goes Maisie, as well as a popular radio series, The Adventures of Maisie.

Transitioning to television in nineteen fifty-three, Sothern starred in her own sitcom, Private Secretary, which aired for five seasons on CBS and earned her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. She continued to shine in the television landscape with The Ann Sothern Show in nineteen fifty-eight, followed by a voice role in My Mother the Car from nineteen sixty-five to nineteen sixty-six. Despite health challenges in the seventies and eighties, she remained active in stage and film, making guest appearances on various shows.

Her final film appearance came in nineteen eighty-seven with The Whales of August, where she starred alongside Bette Davis and Lillian Gish, earning her only Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. After this, Sothern retired to Ketchum, Idaho, where she spent her remaining years until her passing from heart failure in March two thousand one. Lucille Ball, a frequent co-star, praised Sothern as 'the best comedienne in the business, bar none.'