45 Facts About Ann Sothern

In 1953, Ann Sothern moved into television as the star of her own sitcom, Private Secretary.

In 1958 she starred in another sitcom for CBS, The Ann Sothern Show, which aired for three seasons.

From 1965 to 1966, Ann Sothern provided the voice of Gladys Crabtree, the title character in the sitcom My Mother the Car.

Ann Sothern continued her career throughout the late 1960s with stage and film appearances and guest-starring roles on television.

In 1987, Ann Sothern appeared in her final film, The Whales of August, starring Bette Davis and Lillian Gish.

Ann Sothern earned her only Oscar nomination, for Best Supporting Actress, for her role in the film.

Ann Sothern's mother was a concert singer, while Sothern's father worked in importing and exporting.

Ann Sothern's parents separated when she was four years old.

Ann Sothern later studied at McPhail School of Music, where her mother taught piano.

Ann Sothern began accompanying her mother on her concert tours when her school schedule permitted.

Ann Sothern's mother moved to Los Angeles, where she worked as a vocal coach for Warner Bros.

Ann Sothern moved with her father to Seattle, where she attended the University of Washington, dropping out after one year.

Ann Sothern did a screen test for MGM and signed a six-month contract.

Ann Sothern appeared in bit parts and walk-on roles, but soon grew frustrated with only appearing in small roles.

Ann Sothern approximated the Jean Harlow role opposite John Carroll in the Clark Gable role.

Shortly after completing filming of Maisie Gets Her Man in 1942 Ann Sothern was cast in title role in the film version of Panama Hattie, opposite Red Skelton.

Ann Sothern returned to the screen in 1946 in Up Goes Maisie, followed by the final Maisie film Undercover Maisie.

Ann Sothern appeared in two musical films in 1948, April Showers opposite Jack Carson and Words and Music starring an all-star cast of MGM actors, singers and dancers.

Ann Sothern received excellent reviews for her performance but the acclaim failed to stimulate her career, which had begun to wane in the late 1940s.

In 1949, Ann Sothern contracted hepatitis, which she would battle for the next three years.

Ann Sothern portrayed Susan Camille "Susie" MacNamara, a secretary working for New York City talent agent Peter Sands.

Private Secretary was a hit with audiences, routinely placing in the top 10, and Ann Sothern was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her role on the series three times.

In 1957, Private Secretary was renewed for a fifth season, but Ann Sothern left the series after she had what she later described as a "violent fight" with producer Jack Chertok over profits from the series.

Ann Sothern returned to television the following year in The Ann Sothern Show.

Ann Sothern starred as Kathleen "Katy" O'Connor, the assistant manager at the fictitious Bartley House Hotel.

Ratings for the series remained solid until CBS moved The Ann Sothern Show to Thursdays for its third season.

Ann Sothern was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe for her work in the film.

Ann Sothern denied the rumors and, ultimately, the series continued without Vance or Ann Sothern.

In 1965, Ann Sothern co-starred in the TV comedy series My Mother the Car, opposite Jerry Van Dyke.

Ann Sothern was never seen in the series; only her voice was heard, reacting tartly to zany happenings around her.

Ann Sothern continued the rest of the 1960s working in guest roles in television and the occasional film role.

In 1972, Ann Sothern appeared in the Sid and Marty Krofft television special Fol-de-Rol.

Ann Sothern played the role of Fenzie, a mahjong parlor owner.

Ann Sothern worked sporadically in television and in stage productions, including a small role in the horror film The Manitou with Tony Curtis.

Ann Sothern returned to television in 1985 in the role of "Ma Finney" in an adaptation of one of her old films, A Letter to Three Wives.

Ann Sothern owned a cattle ranch in Idaho named the A Bar S Cattle Company.

Ann Sothern married actor and band leader Roger Pryor in September 1936.

Shortly after filming A Letter to Three Wives Ann Sothern contracted infectious hepatitis after getting an impure serum shot while she was in England for a stage performance.

Ann Sothern was confined to her bed where she continued to work on the Maisie radio program while she recuperated.

Ann Sothern later said that her illness had restored her faith.

In 1974 Ann Sothern was injured while appearing in a Jacksonville, Florida, stock production of Everybody Loves Opal when a prop tree fell on her back.

Ann Sothern's injuries required hospitalizations where she was put in traction.

Ann Sothern credited her "optimistic belief" and Roman Catholic faith for getting her through.

On March 15,2001, Ann Sothern died from heart failure at her home in Ketchum at the age of 92.

Ann Sothern has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: for motion pictures, found at 1612 Vine Street; and television, at 1634 Vine Street.