RIP Bill Macy

1922-2019

Although they never acted together, stage and screen actor Bill Macy (born Wolf Martin Garber)

and Lucille Ball were connected by Beatrice  Arthur, who was Lucy’s co-star in the film Mame (1974) as well as several TV variety shows and specials. Macy played Walter Findlay, the long-suffering husband in Bea Arthur’s first hit TV series, “Maude” (1974-78). Macy was brought to Hollywood by the series’ creator, Norman Lear, after Lear saw him acting on the New York stage.  

In 1981, at the 33rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards,

Lucille Ball was both a presenter and an honoree for her 30 years in television. Macy and Arthur were also on hand to present awards. 

In 1984, when Ball and Lear were part of the first group inaugurated into the Television Hall of Fame. Arthur was there, not for Lucy, but for Lear. Bill Macy was in the audience, and was also seen on camera.