Ann Sothern

Biography

Ann Sothern, originally named Harriette Arlene Lake, was a distinguished American actress born on January 22, 1909, and she passed away on March 15, 2001. With a career that spanned nearly sixty years, Sothern made her mark across various mediums, including stage, radio, film, and television. She began her journey in the late 1920s, taking on small roles in films before making a significant leap to Broadway in 1930, where she quickly ascended to lead roles.

Her breakout moment came in 1939 when MGM cast her as Maisie Ravier, a spirited Brooklyn showgirl inspired by Nell Martin's Maisie short stories. The character resonated with audiences, leading to a successful film series that included titles like Congo Maisie and Gold Rush Maisie, as well as a radio series titled The Adventures of Maisie.

In the 1950s, Sothern transitioned to television, headlining her own sitcom, Private Secretary, which aired for five seasons on CBS and garnered her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. She followed this with The Ann Sothern Show in 1958, which ran for three seasons. Sothern also lent her voice to the character Gladys Crabtree in the sitcom My Mother the Car from 1965 to 1966.

After a brief hiatus due to health concerns, she returned to the spotlight for her final film, The Whales of August (1987), alongside Bette Davis and Lillian Gish, earning her only Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Following her retirement to Ketchum, Idaho, she enjoyed her later years until her passing due to heart failure. Renowned comedian Lucille Ball praised Sothern as "the best comedian in the business, bar none."