Benay Venuta American actress, singer and dancer Date of Birth: 27.01.1911 Country: USA

1. Biography of Benay Venuta
2. Early Career and Broadway Success
3. Television and Radio Work
4. Personal Life and Death

Biography of Benay Venuta

Benay Venuta was an American actress, singer, and dancer. She was born as Benvenuta Rose Crooke on January 27, 1911, in San Francisco, California. Venuta attended a boarding school in Geneva and lived in London, England, where she worked as a dancer before returning to the United States.

Early Career and Broadway Success

Venuta made her screen debut in the silent film "Trail of '98" in 1928. She also played the role of Dolly Tate in the musical comedy "Annie Get Your Gun" in 1950 alongside Betty Hutton. Venuta appeared in the musical "Call Me Mister" in 1951 and the crime comedy "Bullets Over Broadway" in 1994. She made her Broadway debut in 1935, replacing Ethel Merman in the lead role of Reno Sweeney in Cole Porter's famous musical "Anything Goes." Venuta also performed in the Broadway productions of "By Jupiter" in 1942, "Hazel Flagg" in 1953, and "Romantic Comedy" in 1979.

Television and Radio Work

In 1958, Venuta earned the role of private detective Bertha Cool in the pilot television series "Cool and Lam," based on the novels by Erle Stanley Gardner. However, the pilot episode remained the only one produced. Venuta also appeared in regional and summer theaters, starring in productions such as "A Little Night Music," "Bus Stop," "Gypsy," and "Come Blow Your Horn." She was also a part of the ensemble cast in the theater project "Auntie Mame," the dark comedy "The Prisoner of Second Avenue," the parody play "Little Me," and the musical "Pal Joey." Venuta had vocal parts in shows such as "Freddie Rich's Penthouse Party," "Take a Note," and the radio sitcom "Duffy's Tavern." In 1948, she hosted the radio quiz show "Keep Up with the Kids" where celebrity parents, including Roddy McDowall, Penny Singleton, and Pat O'Brien, competed with their children. Venuta is best known to television audiences for her portrayal of the prim Miss Ellen Stillfield, the mother-in-law of Jean Smart's character in the sitcom "Designing Women." She also appeared in series such as "That Girl," "Playhouse 90," and "Climax!"

Personal Life and Death

Venuta was married three times, and she had two daughters from her second marriage to producer Armand Deutsch. She was married to actor Fred Clark from 1952 to 1961. Venuta passed away from lung cancer in New York City at the age of 84.