Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ann Sothern (born Harriette Arlene Lake; January 22, 1909 – March 15, 2001) was an American actress who worked on stage, radio, film, and television, in a career that spanned nearly six decades. Sothern began her career in the late 1920s in bit parts in films. In 1930, she made her Broadway stage debut and soon worked her way up to starring roles. In 1939, MGM cast her as Maisie Ravier, a brash yet lovable Brooklyn showgirl. The character, based on the Maisie short stories by Nell Martin, proved to be popular and spawned a successful film series (Congo Maisie, Gold Rush Maisie, Up Goes Maisie, etc.) and a network radio series (The Adventures of Maisie). In 1953, Sothern moved into television as the star of her own sitcom Private Secretary. The series aired for five seasons on CBS and earned Sothern three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. In 1958, she starred in another sitcom for CBS, The Ann Sothern Show, which aired for three seasons. From 1965 to 1966, Sothern provided the voice of Gladys Crabtree, the title character in the sitcom My Mother the Car. She continued her career throughout the late 1960s with stage and film appearances and guest-starring roles on television. Due to health issues, she worked sporadically during the 1970s and 1980s. In 1987, Sothern appeared in her final film The Whales of August, starring Bette Davis and Lillian Gish. Sothern earned her first and only Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film. After filming concluded, she retired to Ketchum, Idaho, where she spent her remaining years before her death from heart failure in March 2001. Lucille Ball called Sothern "the best comedian in the business, bar none."
Acted in 103
1990s
- 1994
That's Entertainment! III
(archive footage) (uncredited)
1980s
- 1987
- 1985
A Letter to Three Wives
Ma Finney
- 1980
1970s
- 1978
- 1976
That's Entertainment, Part II
(archive footage)
- 1975
- 1974
Golden Needles
Finzie
The Killing Kind
Thelma Lambert
- 1972
The Weekend Nun
Mother Bonaventure
The Great Man's Whiskers
Aunt Margaret Bancroft
Fol-de-Rol
Queen Gertrude
- 1971
A Death of Innocence
Annie La Cossit
Congratulations, It's a Boy!
Ethel Gaines
1960s
- 1969
The Greatest Mother of 'em All
Dolly Murdock
- 1968
Chubasco
Angela
- 1967
The Outsider
Mrs. Kozzek
- 1966
- 1965
My Mother the Car
Gladys Crabtree · 30 episodes
Sylvia
Mrs. Argona / Grace Argona
- 1964
Lady in a Cage
Sade
- 1962
1950s
- 1959
- 1958
The Ann Sothern Show
Katy O'Connor · 93 episodes
- 1957
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
Susie MacNamara · 1 episode
- 1955
- 1954
Lady in the Dark
Liza
- 1953
- 1952
- 1951
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Liz Quiz · 1 episode
- 1950
Nancy Goes to Rio
Frances Elliott
1940s
- 1949
- 1948
April Showers
June Tyme
- 1947
The Judge Steps Out
Peggy
Undercover Maisie
Maisie Ravier
- 1946
Up Goes Maisie
Maisie Ravier
- 1944
Maisie Goes to Reno
Maisie Ravier
Twenty Years After
(archive footage)
- 1943
Swing Shift Maisie
Maisie Ravier
Thousands Cheer
Ann Sothern
Three Hearts for Julia
Julia Seabrook
You, John Jones!
Mary Jones
- 1942
Maisie Gets Her Man
Maisie Ravier
- 1941
Ringside Maisie
Maisie Ravier
Maisie Was a Lady
Maisie Ravier
- 1940
Dulcy
Dulcy Ward
Gold Rush Maisie
Maisie Ravier
Brother Orchid
Florence 'Flo' Addams
Congo Maisie
Maisie Ravier
1930s
- 1939
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President
Ethel Turp
Fast and Furious
Garda Sloane
Hotel for Women
Ellen Connelly
Maisie
Maisie Ravier / Mary Anastasia O'Connor
- 1938
Trade Winds
Jean Livingstone
- 1937
She's Got Everything
Carol Rogers
There Goes the Groom
Bettina Louise "Betty" Russell
Danger – Love at Work
Antoinette "Toni" Pemberton
Super-Sleuth
Mary Strand
Fifty Roads to Town
Millicent Kendall
There Goes My Girl
Connie Taylor
Dangerous Number
Eleanor
- 1936
Smartest Girl in Town
Frances Cooke
Walking on Air
Kit Bennett
My American Wife
Mary Cantillon
Don't Gamble with Love
Ann Edwards
Hell-Ship Morgan
Mary Taylor
You May Be Next!
Fay Stevens
- 1935
Grand Exit
Adrienne Martin / Adeline Maxwell
The Girl Friend
Linda Henry
Hooray for Love
Patricia Thatcher
Eight Bells
Marge Walker
Folies Bergère de Paris
Mimi
- 1934
The Party's Over
Ruth Walker
Blind Date
Kitty Taylor
The Hell Cat
Geraldine Sloane
Melody in Spring
Jane Blodgett
- 1933
Let's Fall in Love
Jean
Broadway Thru a Keyhole
Singer
- 1930
Whoopee!
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
The March of Time
Chorus Girl (uncredited)
Good News
Student
Song of the West
Bit Part
1920s
- 1929
The Show of Shows
Performer in 'Meet My Sister' & 'Bicycle Built for Two' Numbers (as Harriet Lake)
- 1927
Broadway Nights
Showgirl (uncredited)
Appearances8
1950s
- 1956
- 1953
- 1950
1940s
- 1940
A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound
Self
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
Self
1930s
- 1937
Ali Baba Goes to Town
Herself