Arlene Harris
American actress (1896–1976)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arlene Harris (July 7, 1896 – June 12, 1976) was a Canadian-born American radio, film, and television actress. (Another source gives her date of birth as July 7, 1898.)[1] She was best known for her role as "the human chatterbox" on Al Pearce's radio program.[1]
Arlene Harris | |
|---|---|
Harris performing for ABC in 1952 | |
| Born | July 7, 1896 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | June 12, 1976 (aged 79) |
| Resting place | Chapel of the Pines Crematory |
| Other names | Arlene Francis |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Spouse | Harry G. Harris |
Early years
Vaudeville
Harris toured in vaudeville as Arlene Francis in the 1920s.[1] She had to retire after being injured in an automobile accident, but the Great Depression in the United States caused her to return to entertaining—this time in radio.[1]
Radio
Before her career in film, Harris was well known as a comic actress on the radio program, The Chatterbox.
She first appeared on radio on KFWB in Hollywood, California.[1] She was a regular on Al Pearce and His Gang,[5] where she was known as "The Human Chatterbox" in monologues that involved telephone conversations with an unheard friend.[6] A CBS statistician once calculated that she averaged four words per second during one of her rapid-fire monologues.[3] She also co-starred with Pearce in Here Comes Elmer.[7]
Harris played Mummy Higgins on The Baby Snooks Show[1] and was heard on Ina Ray Hutton's program[6] and Fare for Ladies.[8]
Television
Harris played herself in an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show in 1964,.[9][10] She also appeared on Panorama Pacific and made guest appearances on several TV programs.[11]
Recognition
Harris has a star at 6250 Hollywood Boulevard in the Radio section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was dedicated February 8, 1960.[12]
Personal life
Harris was married to Dr. Harry G. Harris.[4]
Death
Harris died June 12, 1976, at the Motion Picture Country Home in Woodland Hills, California.[6] She is entombed in Chapel of the Pines Crematory at Los Angeles, California.[13]
