Bernadette Withers (February 5, 1946 – October 25, 2019) was an actress best known for playing Ginger on Bachelor Father, Janis on Karen, and Valerie in The Trouble with Angels. Some sources[1][2] claim that actress Jane Withers was her aunt, but since Jane Withers had no siblings[3] she did not have any nieces.
Bernadette Withers | |
|---|---|
 Publicity photo (ca. 1957-1962) | |
| Born | February 5, 1946 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | October 25, 2019 (aged 73) Dana Point, California |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 2 |
Acting career
editAs a child Bernadette Withers began acting in small uncredited film roles, including a child at an audition in I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955), and parts in Stranger at My Door (1956) and All Fall Down (1962).[1] She went on to play Valerie in The Trouble with Angels (1966).[4]
Withers found guest-starring roles in numerous television series. On Leave It to Beaver she played Kitty in Wally’s Glamour Girl (Season 4, Episode 10),[5] and on Wagon Train she played Alma Hardy in The Jonas Murdock Story (Season 3, Episode 27). She was also in Buffalo Bill, Jr., Father Knows Best, My Three Sons, and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.[1]
From 1957 to 1962 Withers had the recurring role of Ginger, Kelly’s best friend, in Bachelor Father. During the program’s five seasons Ginger had two different sets of parents, and three last names – Farrel, Loomis and Mitchell.[6] During the 1964 television season she had the recurring role of Janis on Karen.[7]
Later life
editAfter her acting career ended Withers became a partner in a software company. She was married twice, and had two children.[8] She died in Dana Point, California, on October 25, 2019.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Harris M. Lentz III, Obituaries in the Performing Arts, page 437, McFarland, Incorporated, 2019
- ^ Orshoff, Darren (October 26, 2019). "Actress BERNADETTE WITHERS (LYNCH) Dies at 73. She was regular on Bachelor Father(with John Forsythe) and Leave it to Beaver (Wally's girlfriend) and many more. Was niece of Jane Withers". The Life & Times of Hollywood.
- ^ "Mother Who Made Dream Come True". The Boston Globe. May 9, 1942. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ John Willis, Screen World 1967, page 30, Biblo-Moser, 1983
- ^ Michael B. Kassel, Mass Culture, History and Memory and the Image of the American Family, page 257, Michigan State University, Department of History, 2004
- ^ Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946 – Present, 1st Edition, pages 43 and 44, Ballantine Books, 1979
- ^ Samantha Bleikorn, The Mini Mod Sixties Book, page 123, Last Gasp, 2002
- ^ Kathy Garver and Fred Ascher, X Child Stars: Where Are They Now?, page 60 (E-Book), Taylor Trade Publishing, 2016