Actress. She was best known to television viewers as the acerbic German cook Gretchen Kraus on the popular ABC sitcom "Benson" from 1979 to 1986. While in high school, she excelled in the speech section of both the National Forensic League's state and national competition. She later studied drama at Northwestern University. Her acting debut was on an 1957 episode of the television program "Goodyear Playhouse." Besides "Benson," she went on to appear on such television series as "The Defenders," Bonanza," "Medical Center," "Soap," "The Golden Girls," and "Doctor Doctor." She also appeared in several television mini-series during her career. In 1962, she made her "big" screen debut in the film "Advise and Consent." She later appeared in such films as "The Miracle Worker," "Lipstick," "The Betsy," and "The Mountain Men." She also appeared in multiple Broadway productions during her career and was nominated twice for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performances as Lizzie Curry in "110 in the Shade" and Irene Adler in "Baker Street." She was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or a Variety or Music Series three times for her performances on "Benson." She passed away of natural causes.
Actress. She was best known to television viewers as the acerbic German cook Gretchen Kraus on the popular ABC sitcom "Benson" from 1979 to 1986. While in high school, she excelled in the speech section of both the National Forensic League's state and national competition. She later studied drama at Northwestern University. Her acting debut was on an 1957 episode of the television program "Goodyear Playhouse." Besides "Benson," she went on to appear on such television series as "The Defenders," Bonanza," "Medical Center," "Soap," "The Golden Girls," and "Doctor Doctor." She also appeared in several television mini-series during her career. In 1962, she made her "big" screen debut in the film "Advise and Consent." She later appeared in such films as "The Miracle Worker," "Lipstick," "The Betsy," and "The Mountain Men." She also appeared in multiple Broadway productions during her career and was nominated twice for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performances as Lizzie Curry in "110 in the Shade" and Irene Adler in "Baker Street." She was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or a Variety or Music Series three times for her performances on "Benson." She passed away of natural causes.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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