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= Lee_Meriwether_ =
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Introduction
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Lee Ann Meriwether (born May 27, 1935) See also:
* is an American actress and the winner of the 1955 Miss America
pageant. She has appeared in many films and television shows, notably
as Betty Jones, the title character's secretary and daughter-in-law in
the 1970s crime drama 'Barnaby Jones' starring Buddy Ebsen. The role
earned her two Golden Globe Award nominations in 1975 and 1976, and an
Emmy Award nomination in 1977. She is also known for her portrayal of
Catwoman, replacing Julie Newmar in the theatrical film 'Batman'
(1966), and for a co-starring role on the science-fiction series 'The
Time Tunnel'. Meriwether had a recurring role as Ruth Martin on the
daytime soap opera 'All My Children' until the end of the series in
September 2011.
Early life
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Meriwether was born in Los Angeles, California, to Claudius Gregg
Meriwether and Ethel Eve Mulligan. She has one brother, Don Britt
Meriwether. She grew up in San Francisco after the family moved there
from Phoenix, Arizona. She attended George Washington High School,
where one of her classmates was Johnny Mathis. She later attended City
College of San Francisco, where one of her classmates was fellow actor
Bill Bixby.
After winning Miss San Francisco, Meriwether won Miss California 1954,
then was crowned Miss America in 1955 with her recital of a John
Millington Synge monologue. She then appeared that Sunday on 'What's
My Line?', hosted by John Charles Daly (who also emceed the pageant
that year). Following her reign as Miss America, she joined the
'Today' show.
An August 1, 1956, international news wirephoto of Meriwether and Joe
DiMaggio announced their engagement. According to DiMaggio biographer
Richard Ben Cramer, however, it was a rumor started by Walter
Winchell.
1950s
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Meriwether was a "Today Girl" on NBC's 'The Today Show' from 1955 to
1956. Her feature-film debut came in 1959 as Linda Davis in '4D Man',
starring Robert Lansing. She appears in 'The Phil Silvers Show'
episode, "Cyrano de Bilko".
1960s
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In 1961, Meriwether guest-starred once as Gloria in the episode "Buddy
and the Amazon" on her first husband's (Frank Aletter) one-season CBS
sitcom, 'Bringing Up Buddy'. She also appeared in 'Leave It To Beaver'
episode "Community Chest" in season four. In 1962, she was cast as
Martha Elweiss in the episode "My Child Is Yet a Stranger" on the CBS
anthology series, 'The Lloyd Bridges Show'. She played Nurse Dickens
in a 1962 episode of the ABC sitcom, 'I'm Dickens, He's Fenster'. From
1963 to 1965, she was cast in different roles in eight episodes of the
NBC medical drama, 'Dr. Kildare'. In 1964, she played the character
Jeanelle in "This Is Going to Hurt Me More Than It Hurts You" on the
CBS adventure series, 'Route 66'. In 1965, she appeared in an episode
on 'The Jack Benny Program' as the Secretary. In a 1965 episode of '12
O'Clock High', "Mutiny at Ten Thousand Feet", she played Lieutenant
Amy Patterson, and in the episodes "The Idolator" (also 1965) and "The
Outsider" (1966), she played Captain Phyllis Vincent. She also
guest-starred in the season-two episode "Big Brother". She was a
regular on the single season, science-fiction, television series 'The
Time Tunnel' with James Darren and Robert Colbert in 1966-1967.
Meriwether appeared as Dr. Egret on the NBC series, 'The Man from
U.N.C.L.E.' ("The Mad, Mad Tea Party", 1965) and in an episode of
'Hazel' ("How to Lose 30 Pounds in 30 Minutes", also 1965) she played
Miss Wilson, the owner of an exercise studio. Meriwether portrayed
Catwoman for the 'Batman' movie (1966), and also appeared in two
episodes of the 'Batman' TV series in 1967 as Lisa Carson, a love
interest to Bruce Wayne in the episodes "King Tut's Coup" and
"Batman's Waterloo". In the late 1960s and early 1970s, she had
guest-starring roles in numerous TV series, including 'The Fugitive',
'Mannix', 'Star Trek' episode "That Which Survives" (1969), 'Perry
Mason' episodes #245 "The Case of the Cheating Chancellor" and "The
Case of the Frustrated Folksinger" (both 1965), and the 'F Troop'
episode "O'Rourke vs. O'Reilly".
In films, Meriwether joined John Wayne and Rock Hudson for 'The
Undefeated', and Andy Griffith in 'Angel in My Pocket' (both 1969). In
the same year as those two films, she played IMF spy Tracey in six
'Mission: Impossible' episodes during season four after Barbara Bain's
departure.
1970s
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Meriwether began her award-nominated role as secretary and
daughter-in-law Betty Jones in the 1973–1980 CBS series 'Barnaby
Jones', opposite Buddy Ebsen. During the series' eight-year run, she
enjoyed an on- and off-screen chemistry with the elder Ebsen. During
the series' run, she was reunited with her former classmate and best
friend Bill Bixby during one episode. After her stint on 'Barnaby
Jones', Meriwether became best friends with Ebsen, keeping in touch
for many years until his death on July 6, 2003. She starred in the
1978 television movies 'True Grit: A Further Adventure' with Warren
Oates as Rooster Cogburn and 'Cruise Into Terror' with an all-star
ensemble cast, appeared on 'Circus of the Stars' four times, and was a
regular panelist on the game show 'Match Game'.
1980s
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Meriwether portrayed Lily Munster in the 1988-1991 revival of the
1960s television sitcom 'The Munsters', titled 'The Munsters Today',
in which she starred alongside Jason Marsden, John Schuck, Howard
Morton, and Hilary Van Dyke. She also made several guest appearances
on 'The Love Boat' and 'Fantasy Island'.
1990s
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In the 1990s, she appeared as herself on an episode of 'Space Ghost
Coast to Coast'. In 1993, she guest starred on 'Murder, She Wrote',
episode "Ship of Thieves". In 1996, Meriwether took over for Mary
Fickett in the role of Ruth Martin on the soap opera 'All My
Children', Fickett having played the role since its inception in 1970.
After 26 years, Fickett wanted to go into semiretirement as a
recurring cast member. Negotiations with the network broke down and
Meriwether was cast as Ruth Martin. In 1998, ABC deemed that they were
at an impasse with Meriwether's agents and Mary Fickett was brought
back as a recurring cast member. Fickett retired again, this time for
good in December 2000. ABC decided to bring back the character of Ruth
Martin in 2002, but Fickett remained in retirement. Meriwether was
hence brought back and remained a featured recurring performer on the
show until it ended.
2000s
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In 2002, she appeared in the documentary film 'Miss America'. In 2003,
Meriwether appeared in the TV-Movie 'Return to the Batcave: The
Misadventures of Adam and Burt'. She also appeared off-Broadway in the
interactive comedy, 'Grandma Sylvia's Funeral'. She voiced Big Mama in
the video game 'Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots' for the
PlayStation 3. She also appears in one of the game's opening videos as
a talkshow host having an interview with David Hayter, who voices
Solid Snake in the game. In 2006, she joined James Garner, Abigail
Breslin, Bill Cobbs, and others in 'The Ultimate Gift'. In 2008,
Meriwether had a brief cameo as comic-book character Battle Diva in
the episode "Harper Knows" of the Disney Channel original series
'Wizards of Waverly Place'. In 2010, she was once again reunited on
screen with Hollywood veteran Bill Cobbs in 'No Limit Kids: Much Ado
About Middle School'. She voices President Winters in the video game
'Vanquish' by PlatinumGames.
2010s
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Meriwether continued to work on stage, television, game voice-overs,
and feature films. She has made guest appearances on 'Desperate
Housewives', 'Hawaii Five-0', 'The League', and 'Don't Trust the B----
in Apartment 23'. Most recently, she revisited her role as Miss
Hastings in the sequel/prequel to 'The Ultimate Gift', 'The Ultimate
Life '(2013), directed by Michael Landon Jr. She is also starring in
the short film 'Kitty'.
She made appearances at Comic Cons, where she spoke about her roles in
'Batman', 'Star Trek', and 'Time Tunnel'.
Personal life
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On April 20, 1958, Meriwether married Frank Aletter. They had two
daughters and divorced in 1974. On September 21, 1986, Meriwether
married Marshall Borden.
Film
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Year Title Role Notes
1959 '4D Man' Linda Davis
1963 'The Courtship of Eddie's Father' Lee, Tom's Receptionist
Uncredited
1966 'Batman' Selina Kyle / Catwoman, Kitka
1966 'Namu, the Killer Whale' Kate Rand
1968 'The Legend of Lylah Clare' Young Girl
1969 'Angel in My Pocket' Mary Elizabeth Whitehead
1969 'The Undefeated' Margaret Langdon
1973 'The Brothers O'Toole' Paloma Littleberry
2005 'Gone Postal' Fran Short film
2006 'The Ultimate Gift' Miss Hastings
2007 'Say It in Russian' Party guest
2008 'Touching Home' Grandma Eleanor
2008 'Twisted Faith' Mother Clare Short film
2010 'No Limit Kids: Much Ado About Middle School' Katie
Direct-to-video
2011 'Secret Identity' Faye Florence Short film
2012 'Sunset Stories' Marie
2012 'Silent But Deadly' Vivian
2013 'Remember to Breathe' Alice Short film
2013 'Birthday Cake' Opal Hunt
2013 'The Ultimate Life' Miss Hastings
2013 'The Curse of the Un-Kissable Kid' Gypsy Short film
2014 'Waiting in the Wings: The Musical' Ethel
2014 'Abaddon' Old Ana
2014 'Heaven Help Us' Helen Short film
2015 'A Horse for Summer' Patsy
2015 'Sunny in the Dark' Dorothy
2015 'In Memory' Beth Sawyer Short film
2016 'Kitty' Mrs Tinsley Short film
2016 'A Christmas in New York' Irene Burgess
2017 'Diary of a Lunatic' Trew's Mother
2017 'Breaking Legs' GG
2017 'Batman vs. Two-Face' Lucilee Diamond Voice, direct-to-video
2018 'Hell's Kitty' Grandma Kyle
2018 'Still Waiting In The Wings' Ethel
2018 'Love & Debt' Mrs Markson
Television
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Year Title Role Notes
1954-1955 'The Philco Television Playhouse' Diane 3 episodes
1956 'Matinee Theatre' Episode: "Sincerely Yours, Charlie Fisher"
1957 'The Alcoa Hour' Girl in the Sketch Episode: "Protégé"
1957 'Men of Annapolis' The Girl Episode: "The Challenge"
1958 'The Millionaire' Nancy McKuehn Episode: "The Rod Matthews
Story"
1958 'The Phil Silvers Show' Natalie Rumplemeyer Episode: "Cyrano De
Bilko"
1958 'Dragnet' Vicki Tearson Episode: "The Big Rip"
1958 'Omnibus' Beautiful Witch Episode: "Mrs McThing"
1960-1962 'The Clear Horizon' Enid Ross
1961 'Bringing Up Buddy' Gloria Arnold Episode: "Buddy and the
Amazon"
1961 'Leave It to Beaver' Young Woman Neighbor Episode: "Community
Chest"
1962 'The Lloyd Bridges Show' Martha Elweiss Episode: "My Child Is
Yet a Stranger"
1962 'I'm Dickens, He's Fenster' 2nd Hospital Receptionist Episode:
"Nurse Dickens"
1962 'Alcoa Premiere' Kerry Episode: "Whatever Happened to Miss
Illinois?"
1963-1965 'Dr. Kildare' Nurse Bonnie Tynes / Nurse Angela Springer /
Nurse Harper / Nurse Adams / Nurse Betty Johnson 8 episodes
1964 'Route 66' Jeanelle Episode: "This Is Going to Hurt Me More Than
It Hurts You"
1964 'The Young Marrieds' Ann Reynolds #1 4 episodes
1964-1965 'The Jack Benny Program' Secretary / Mother With Baby w/
Andy Williams 2 episodes
1965 'Perry Mason' Evelyn Wilcox / Natalie Graham 2 episodes
1965 'Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre' Piper's Secretary
Episode: "Double Jeopardy"
1965 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' Dr. Egret Episode: "The Mad, Mad Tea
Party Affair"
1965 'Hazel' Miss Wilson Episode: "How to Lose 30 Pounds in 30
Minutes"
1965 'F Troop' Lily O'Reilly Episode: "O'Rourke vs. O'Reilly"
1965-1966 'Twelve O'Clock High' Capt. Phyllis Vincent / Lt. Amy
Patterson 3 episodes
1965-1971 'The F.B.I.' Joanna Lauren / Liz / Marian Converse / Joanna
Laurens 5 episodes
1966 'The Fugitive' Willis Hempstead Episode: "Not with a Whimper"
1966 'My Three Sons' Phyllis Allen Episode: "What About Harry?"
1966 'Vacation Playhouse' Doris Episode: "My Son, the Doctor"
1966-1967 'The Time Tunnel' Dr. Ann MacGregor 30 episodes
1967 'Batman' Lisa Carson 2 episodes
1967 'Iron Horse' Anne Daugherty Episode: "Dealer's Choice"
1967-1970 'Family Affair' Claudia Wells / Lise Lowell 2 episodes
1969 'Star Trek: The Original Series' Losira S3:E17, "That Which
Survives"
1969 'Land of the Giants' Mother - Mrs Bara Episode: "Rescue"
1969 'Mannix' Reva Daniels S3-Episode 05: "A Question of Midnight"
1969-1970 'Mission: Impossible' Anna Rojak / Tracey 8 episodes
1970 'The Name of the Game' Bridget Episode: "Island of Gold and
Precious Stones"
1970 'My World and Welcome to It' Mrs Bessinger Episode: "The Middle
Years"
1970 'Insight' Miriam Episode: "The 7 Minute Life of James
Houseworthy"
1970 'Nanny and the Professor' Marrijane Finley Episode: "An Element
of Risk"
1970 'The Immortal' Sigrid Bergen Episode: "The Queen's Gambit"
1971 'The New Andy Griffith Show' Lee Sawyer 10 episodes
1971 'Dan August' Miranda Lewis Episode: "The Law"
1971 'Love, American Style' Segment: "Love and the Sweet Sixteen"
1972 'Longstreet' Miss Cooper Episode: "Through Shattering Glass"
1973 'The Doris Day Show' Lois Frazier Episode: "Hospital Benefit"
1973-1980 'Barnaby Jones' Betty Jones 178 episodes Nominated--Golden
Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Drama (1975-1976)
Nominated--Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in
a Drama Series (1977)
1975 'Cannon' Betty Jones Episode: "The Deadly Conspiracy: Part 1"
1977 'Having Babies II' Martha Cooper Television film
1978 'Cruise Into Terror' Lil Mather Television film
1978 'True Grit: A Further Adventure' Annie Sumner Television film
1979 'Time Express' Vanessa Cartwright Episode: "The Copy-Writer/The
Figure Skater"
1979 'Mirror, Mirror' Vanessa Wagner Television film
1979-1980 'CHiPs' 2 episodes
1980 'Tourist' Lulu Flemington Television film
1981-1984 'The Love Boat' Jessica Elliott / Barbara Braden / Ann
Marshall 3 episodes
1983 'Fantasy Island' Leslie Darnell Episode: "The Butler's
Affair/Roarke's Sacrifice"
1984 'Finder of Lost Loves' Julia Bennett Parsons Episode:
"Portraits"
1985 'Hotel' Addie Meredith Episode: "Cry Wolf"
1985 'Glitter' Episode: "The Runaway"
1985 'True Confessions' Episode: "He's So Young"
1985-1995 'Murder, She Wrote' Vanessa Thorpe / Leslie Hunter / Grace
Overholtz 3 episodes
1986 'Mr. Belvedere' Donna Flannagan Episode: "Reunion"
1987 'You Are the Jury' Marjorie Forrest Episode: "The State of
Oregon vs. Stanley Manning"
1987 'Jonathan Winters: On the Ledge' Television film
1988-1991 'The Munsters Today' Lily Munster 73 episodes
1991 'Jake and the Fatman' Ellen Kurtin Episode: "Nevertheless"
1992 'Dark Justice' Lee Marshall Episode: "Happy Mothers Day"
1996 'Duckman' Widow Liebner (voice) Episode: "Pig Amok"
1996-2011 'All My Children' Ruth Martin 52 episodes
2000 'Touched by an Angel' Karla Episode: "The Face on the Bar Room
Floor"
2003 'Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt'
Waitress in Diner Television film
2008 'Wizards of Waverly Place' Battle Diva Episode: "Harper Knows"
2012 'Desperate Housewives' Doris Episode: "What's to Discuss, Old
Friend"
2012 'Hell's Kitty' Grandma Kyle Episode: "Catwoman vs. Hell's Kitty"
2012 'Hawaii Five-0' Helen Tilton Episode: "Mohai"
2012 'Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23' Marjorie Meyers Episode:
"Sexy People..."
2012 'The League' Gumma Eve Episode: "Bro-Lo El Cordero"
2012-2014 'Project: Phoenix' Birdie Spencer 6 episodes
2015 'The Ultimate Legacy' Miss Hastings Television film
2017 'Suspense' Ellen Kirk Episode: "'Keepers of the Twilight'"
2018 'Rise of the Catwoman' Nana Episode: "The Night Shift"
2018 'Kaplan's Korner' Auditioner Episode: "He's Gone"
Video games
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Year Title Role Notes
2008 'Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots' Big Mama (EVA)
2010 'Vanquish' President Elizabeth Winters |
Awards
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*1975 Golden Globe Award nomination, Best TV Actress (Drama)
*1976 Golden Globe Award nomination, Best TV Actress (Drama)
*1977 Emmy Award nomination, Outstanding Continuing Performance by a
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
License
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Original Article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Meriwether_
