Sad news. She was the original Mammy Yokum in Li’l Abner . She was also in The Threepenny Opera with Lotte Lenya, Bea Arthur, etc. And the film version of “Hair”.
I think her last stage appearance in NYC was in Encores' 70, GIRLS, 70, in which, IIRC, the NYT gave her a lovely review. She had also done the show previously in another role at the York. Nice, talented lady. She was terrific in the old TV series CAR 54. WHERE ARE YOU? She played Sylvia Schnauser, Al "Grandpa Munster" Lewis' wife.
I was just watching an old interview with her yesterday! What a wonderful woman. I wish I could have caught her as Jack’s Mother in the Into the Woods first national tour.
Still watching “The Facts of Life” every morning M-F on MeTV. Also on the “Diff’rent Strokes” episode this morning she quit her job as the Drummond’s housekeeper. Said she needed a vacation. She’ll always be Edna Garrett to me. :)