Actress. Best remembered as Lucy Ricardo's nemesis 'Carolyn Appleby' on "I Love Lucy." Born Dorthea Singleton, she initially trained as a ballerina. Her career began with work as a vocalist in the 1930s. In the 1940s she began work in radio. In 1948, she guest-starred on "My Favorite Husband" and struck up a friendship with Lucille Ball. In the 1950s, she appeared in character roles on television. She was first seen by audiences in a 1953 episode of "The Adventures of Superman." She followed this with her most notable role as that of 'Lillian' later 'Carolyn Appleby' on "I Love Lucy." She appeared ten times and had the distinction of being one of the last adult performers from the series. In 1960, she had a regular role on the short lived program "Angel." She had a few roles in film, including the lead in the 'B' mystery "Affair in Reno," in 1957. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, she appeared on numerous programs including a recurring role on "My Three Sons" first as 'Helen Morrison,' mother-in-law to 'Mike,' and later as 'Margaret Williams,' mother-in-law to 'Chip.' She performed with Lucille Ball in various episodes of Ball's second and third series "The Lucy Show," and "Here's Lucy." Singleton also guest-starred on several other shows including "Hogan's Heroes," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," and a memorable appearance as 'Edith Bunker's" hotel roommate 'Lydia Stonehurst' on the classic episode of "All in the Family" entitled "Edith Has Jury Duty." She retired from acting in 1985. She was married to comedy writer, director, and producer Charles Isaacs for 61 years until his death in 2002. Though suffering from debilitating arthritis, she became a fan favorite at several conventions and events honoring "I Love Lucy." She always claimed her favorite episode was that with Harpo Marx. Doris Singleton last appeared publicly honoring her late co-star Vivian Vance as Vance was posthumously inducted into the Television Arts & Sciences Hall of fame in March 2012.
Actress. Best remembered as Lucy Ricardo's nemesis 'Carolyn Appleby' on "I Love Lucy." Born Dorthea Singleton, she initially trained as a ballerina. Her career began with work as a vocalist in the 1930s. In the 1940s she began work in radio. In 1948, she guest-starred on "My Favorite Husband" and struck up a friendship with Lucille Ball. In the 1950s, she appeared in character roles on television. She was first seen by audiences in a 1953 episode of "The Adventures of Superman." She followed this with her most notable role as that of 'Lillian' later 'Carolyn Appleby' on "I Love Lucy." She appeared ten times and had the distinction of being one of the last adult performers from the series. In 1960, she had a regular role on the short lived program "Angel." She had a few roles in film, including the lead in the 'B' mystery "Affair in Reno," in 1957. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, she appeared on numerous programs including a recurring role on "My Three Sons" first as 'Helen Morrison,' mother-in-law to 'Mike,' and later as 'Margaret Williams,' mother-in-law to 'Chip.' She performed with Lucille Ball in various episodes of Ball's second and third series "The Lucy Show," and "Here's Lucy." Singleton also guest-starred on several other shows including "Hogan's Heroes," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," and a memorable appearance as 'Edith Bunker's" hotel roommate 'Lydia Stonehurst' on the classic episode of "All in the Family" entitled "Edith Has Jury Duty." She retired from acting in 1985. She was married to comedy writer, director, and producer Charles Isaacs for 61 years until his death in 2002. Though suffering from debilitating arthritis, she became a fan favorite at several conventions and events honoring "I Love Lucy." She always claimed her favorite episode was that with Harpo Marx. Doris Singleton last appeared publicly honoring her late co-star Vivian Vance as Vance was posthumously inducted into the Television Arts & Sciences Hall of fame in March 2012.
Bio by: The Perplexed Historian
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