Actress Alice Ghostley Dies at 81

[Ghost in the Machine]

Actress Alice Ghostley Dies at 81
Published: 9/22/07, 8:05 AM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Alice Ghostley, the Tony Award-winning actress best known on television for playing Esmeralda on "Bewitched" and Bernice on "Designing Women," has died. She was 81.

Ghostley died Friday at her home in Studio City after a long battle with colon cancer and a series of strokes, longtime friend Jim Pinkston said.

Ghostley made her Broadway debut in "Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1952." She received critical acclaim for singing "The Boston Beguine," which became her signature song.

Miles Kreuger, president of the Los Angeles-based Institute of the American Musical, said part of Ghostley's charm was that she was not glamorous.

"She was rather plain and had a splendid singing voice, and the combination of the well-trained, splendid singing voice and this kind of dowdy homemaker character was so incongruous and so charming," Kreuger said.

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[terrya]

1. Aw...that's sad

I so liked Alice Ghostley. From "Bewitched" to "Designing Women" rather late in her career...she always projected such warmth, such likability in her roles.

That's such a shame.

RIP, Alice.

[mitchum]

2. I just heard this on the radio and thought about all of the times I saw her

Rest in peace Ms Ghostley

[mcscajun]

3. When I was six she was on TV as one of the cruel stepsisters in "Cinderella"

opposite "Cinderella" Julie Andrews. It was aired recently on PBS; clunky production values compared to today, but the performances were wonderful.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129672/

[AndyA]

4. On top of being very talented, I heard she never let fame go to her head.

She was always a very nice person to everyone, and her peers always enjoyed working with her.

I thought she was great in Grease, as well.

RIP, Alice, and thanks for all the laughs.

[CurtEastPoint]

5. Loved Alice...remember her wearing the Christmas tree skirt in DW?

Her characters always made me laugh! Rest, Alice and thanks!

[warrior1]

6. Awww. Rest in Peace

[lisa58]

7. never mind!

[hlthe2b]

8. Ohh, she was a tremendous comedic actress....RIP, Alice

I loved her in Bewitched, but it was Designing Women that really gave her a chance to show her comedy... She was wonderful.