Alice Margaret Ghostley American actress Date of Birth: 14.08.1926 Country: USA

Biography of Alice Margaret Ghostly

Alice Margaret Ghostly, an American actress and recipient of the prestigious Tony Award, is best known for her role as Esmeralda in the TV series "Bewitched" which aired from 1969 to 1972. She also gained popularity for her roles as Alice in the series "Mayberry R.F.D." and Bernice Clifton in the sitcom "Designing Women."

Early Life and Career
Alice Margaret Ghostly was born on August 14, 1926, in Vernon County, Missouri, USA, where her father worked as a telegrapher. She grew up in Henryetta, Oklahoma, and after graduating from high school, she enrolled at the University of Oklahoma. However, Alice decided to pursue her theater career instead of continuing her studies.

Broadway and Television Success
Her Broadway debut came in the musical revue "New Faces of 1952," followed by its film adaptation in 1954. Alice appeared in James Thurber's theater revue "A Thurber Carnival" and "The Beauty Part," where she played multiple roles in each production. In 1960, Ghostly made her way to television, portraying Miss Brinklow in the musical "Shangri-La."

In 1965, Alice won a Tony Award for "Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play" for her role as Mavis Bryson in Lorraine Hansberry's play "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window." In 1978, she replaced Dorothy Loudon as Miss Hannigan in the legendary Broadway musical "Annie."

On television, Alice played Joy, one of Cinderella's ugly stepsisters, in the family musical "Cinderella" alongside Julie Andrews. She continued her television career, appearing in several American sitcoms, starting with her role as the shy witch Esmeralda, who served as a maid and nanny in the household of the Stevens family in the sixth season of "Bewitched." Alice's role as Esmeralda was introduced to the sitcom after the death of Marion Lorne, who played Aunt Clara. However, Lorne and Ghostly had the opportunity to work together shortly before Lorne's death in Mike Nichols' 1967 comedy "The Graduate."

Later Years and Legacy
In the spring of 1972, the sitcom "Bewitched" ended after eight years of airing, and in September, Alice became a performer in the variety show "The Julie Andrews Hour." She remained in the project until the spring of 1973 when the 24-episode season came to an end and the ABC network canceled the show.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Alice continued to be involved in comedy television, portraying Gertrude, General Burkhalter's sister, in the series "Hogan's Heroes." She also appeared as Dodds in the sitcom "Good Times," Hazel M. Hathaway in "Mod," and Harriet Loring in the multi-series project "Once Upon a Time... Man." Ghostly also made guest appearances in the sitcoms "The Odd Couple" and "What's Happening!!"

Beyond television, Alice appeared in the critically acclaimed crime drama "To Kill a Mockingbird" in 1962, portraying Aunt Stephanie Crawford. Her acting talent can also be seen in the screen adaptation of Broadway musical "Brigadoon," where she played Mrs. Murdoch.

Personal Life and Death
Alice Ghostly was married to Italian-American actor Felice Orlandi from 1953 until his death in 2003. The couple did not have any children. Alice herself passed away on September 21, 2007, at the age of 81, from colorectal cancer at her home in Studio City, California. Her ashes were laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where her sister Gladys and their parents were buried.