'Bewitched ' actress Alice Ghostley dies at 81

Source: Associated Press

LOS ANGELES, California -- Alice Ghostley, the Tony Award-winning actress best known on television for playing Esmeralda on "Bewitched" and Bernice on "Designing Women," has died. She was 81.

Ghostley died Friday at her home in Studio City after a long battle with colon cancer and a series of strokes, longtime friend Jim Pinkston said.

Ghostley made her Broadway debut in "Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1952." She received critical acclaim for singing "The Boston Beguine," which became her signature song.

...snip

From 1969 to 1972, she played the good witch and ditzy housekeeper Esmeralda on TV's "Bewitched." She played Bernice Clifton on "Designing Women" from 1987 to 1993, for which she earned an Emmy nomination in 1992.

...more

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/22/ghostley.obit.ap/index.html

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I use to love her character on Bewitched, especially when she would get upset and disappear leaving just her apron showing.

RIP Peace Alice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na8cdDbhjNE&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2xtHy3tnaE

In all her goofy glory.

kept me and my roommate laughing for an hour. I'd forgotten how much I liked those two shows, and seeing things from the actors' perspectives was really the icing on the cake.

Thanks a whole lot! :D

"Black maaan! Black maaan!"

ETA: May she rest in peace.

:cry:
I didn't watch "Bewitched" much, even though I'm certainly old enough to remember it when it initially aired. However, I absolutely ADORED Ms. Ghostley as Bernice on "Designing Women."
She always reminded me of a female Paul Lynde, who was a riot as well.
RIP, Ms. Ghostley. You will be missed.
Thanks for that link to the youtube clips.

That's what I always thought as well. Both in voice and mannerism.

So much so, that a myth was born and perpetuated for many years that they were actual siblings.

Both appeared in "New Faces," however, so I always wondered who copied whom, or whether it was just a popular comedic affectation from the times similar to the some of the stereotypical shticks that came out of the Catskill circuit.

I remember as a kid thinking that. I had no idea other people thought that as well.

She was a great comedic actor, sad to see her go.

as Bernice on Designing Women.

And of course on Designing Women.

What happened to it? I never see it listed on TV Land! Usually in the summer they would have Bewitched and I Dream Of Jeanie on, you know, for when you want to just veg?

:(

R-I-P Alice

though I knew her best from Bewitched & Designing Women.

:cry:

(this was shortly after the original cast left)

IF I recall correctly, either Shelley Bruce or Sara Jessica Parker was the "Annie" at that time.

A farewell toast to a true talent: :toast:

I also remember her in a film called "Viva Max" starring Peter Ustinov and a short-lived sitcom called "Captain Nice."

RIP Alice. You will live forever in syndication.

no one did nervous shyness the way Alice did

She was a wonderful actress -- at least she lived a good, full, reasonably long life (though
it's weird how young 81 is beginning to sound).

She played the role of "Aunt" Stephanie Crawford, though that role was a combination of 2 characters from the book, Aunt Rachel and Miss Stephanie. She very deftly played a character who could have easily been hated, but was instead more prone to mere pity or disdain. She was a fine lady and a much better actress than ever given credit.


She was also the shop? teacher in Grease. She seemed to enjoy the off the beaten path character roles. :)

I love your Golden!

even though he's not a baby anymore. He'll be 12 yrs old come Dec.

Thank you for your contribution to the entertainment industry

Thoughts, prayers, condolences and sympathies to out to her family:hug: