Audrey Meadows
Early Life
Audrey Meadows was born as Audrey Cotter on February 8, 1922 in Wuhan, China. Her parents, the Rev. Francis James Meadows Cotter and his wife, the former Ida Miller Taylor, were Episcopal missionaries. Audrey was the youngest of four children, with two older brothers and a sister. Her family returned to the United States in 1927 and settled in New England.
Career
Meadows began her career in show business as a singer in various big bands during World War II. She made her Broadway debut in 1941 in the musical revue, "Top Banana". However, she is best known for her role as Alice Kramden on the 1950s television sitcom The Honeymooners.
Meadows was initially considered too attractive for the role of Alice, but she convinced the show's star, Jackie Gleason, that she could play the part by dressing down for the audition. She went on to play the character for the duration of the show's run from 1955 to 1956, and reprised the role in various revivals and spin-offs until 1978.
After "The Honeymooners", Meadows continued to work in television, appearing in guest roles on various shows including "The Red Skelton Show", "The Love Boat", and "Murder, She Wrote". She also had a recurring role on the sitcom "Too Close for Comfort" from 1982 to 1983.
In addition to her television work, Meadows also appeared in several films. Her film credits include "That Touch of Mink" (1962), "Take Her, She's Mine" (1963), and "Rosie!" (1967).
Personal Life
Meadows was married twice. Her first marriage, to attorney Randolph Rouse, ended in divorce. In 1961, she married television executive Robert F. Six, who was the president of Continental Airlines. They remained married until his death in 1986.
Meadows was a lifelong Republican, and was active in various political and charitable causes. She was a member of the board of directors of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, and served as its president from 1982 to 1983.
Death and Legacy
Meadows died of lung cancer on February 3, 1996, just five days before her 74th birthday. She was interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Meadows's portrayal of Alice Kramden on "The Honeymooners" has been widely praised by critics and audiences alike. Her performance is often cited as a pioneering example of a strong, independent female character on television. In 2001, she was posthumously awarded the TV Land Award for Favorite Second Banana for her work on the show.