BARBARA PEPPER

May 31, 1915  –  July 18, 1969

Barbara Pepper was born Marion Pepper in New York City. Against her parents wishes, she entered show business at age 16, appearing as a Ziegfeld girl and in George White’s Scandals on Broadway. Pepper and Lucille Ball were friends from their showgirl days and also appeared in six films together. Pepper is perhaps best remembered for her role as the first actor to play Doris Ziffel (‘mother’ to Arnold the pig) on “Green Acres.” 

“Millionaires like to have their money’s worth, and showgirls know how to make them think they’re getting it.”

Newly arrived in Hollywood, Lucille (left) and Pepper (right) were Goldwyn Girls in Eddie Cantor’s Roman Scandals (1933).  

Both were at the start of their careers, Pepper a mere teenager. They also appeared together in:

• Moulin Rouge (1934)
• Bottoms Up (1934)
• Kid Millions (1934)
• Winterset (1936)
• The Fuller Brush Girl (1950)

From 1933 to 1943 Barbara was a very prolific actress, appearing in nearly 50 movies, mostly in supporting roles or in minor films. In 1944, Pepper met actor Craig Reynolds on the set of the film The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry and the two married in 1945. They had two sons together. 

After Bea Benadaret proved unavailable, Pepper was one of Lucy’s top choices to play Ethel Mertz. There was concern, however, about her drinking. After the death of her husband in a motorcycle accident in 1949, Pepper developed an alcohol problem and gained weight. With William Frawley (who also had a drinking problem) already cast, it was feared that it was too risky to also cast Pepper so Vivian Vance (a stage actress with no film experience) was offered the role. Lucy stayed true to Pepper by keeping her gainfully employed in day roles. She was seen (or heard) in ten episodes of “I Love Lucy”:

“Breaking the Lease” (S1;18) – Party Guest 

PEPPER (about Fred & Ethel): “They sold us the last ticket!” 

“The Freezer” (S1;E29) – Woman in Butcher Shop

PEPPER: “I’ll try a round steak!”

“The Anniversary Present” (S2;E3) – Voice of the Woman in 4B (uncredited)

VOICE: “Albert!!!”    

“Ricky Loses His Voice” (S2;E9) – Chorus Girl 

For this appearance, Pepper drew upon her real-life experience as a former Ziegfeld showgirl.  

GIRLS: “We’d like to have you meet, a little bit of heaven.
The queen of all the flappers, of 1952!
PEPPER: 27! …er… 52!

“Lucy Goes to the Hospital” (S2;E16) – Nurse 

PEPPER (to Policeman): “He was right in here a minute ago!”

“Lucy’s Last Birthday” (S2;E25)  – Member of Friends of the Friendless (uncredited)

Oops!  During her wordless scene, Barbara Pepper loses her hat when walking under a tree branch. She marches off and leaves it in the park and doesn’t wear it in the scene at the Tropicana. 

“The Girls Go Into Business” (S3;E2) – Grace, Hanson’s Dress Shop Customer

This is one of the only times Pepper actually has a character name. Her scene partner, Kay Wiley, calls her Grace. It may not be her ‘real’ name since they aren’t real customers; they are Mrs. Hanson’s co-conspirators to lure a buyer. 

GRACE: “I’ll take it!” 

“Sentimental Anniversary” (S3;E16) – Party Guest (uncredited)

“The Tour” (S4;E30)  – Tourist on Bus

LUCY: “Pardon me, this seat is taken.”
TOURIST (not moving): “It sure is, honey.”

“The Homecoming” (S5;E6) – Neighbor 

Trivia: Pepper wears the same fox stole she wore in the butcher shop in 1952! 

Although she never appeared on “The Lucy Show”, Pepper did return to Desilu for two guest appearances on “The Untouchables” (1961 & 1962) as well as playing the Fat Lady in Desilu’s circus series “The Greatest Show on Earth” (1964).

Although not a Desilu sitcom, the connection of Lucille Ball to “Green Acres” is interesting. Writer Jay Sommers adapted “Green Acres” (1965-71) from his radio show, “Granby’s Green Acres”, which aired as a summer replacement for Lucille Ball’s radio show “My Favorite Husband.”  "Granby’s Green Acres" starred Gale Gordon and “Petticoat Junction” star Bea Benaderet, who also played the Atterburys on “My Favorite Husband”. 

Although best known as Doris Ziffel, ‘mother’ of Arnold the Piggy, on “Green Acres” the character actually began on its sister show, “Petticoat Junction”.  For her first of three appearances in Hooterville she was known as Ruthie Ziffel, wife of Fred (played by Hank Patterson on both shows).  When “Green Acres” premiered in 1965, Pepper and Patterson were added as recurring characters.  Both sitcoms stemmed from “The Beverly Hillbillies”, although only Frank Cady (as Mr. Drucker) regularly was seen on all three. After 30 episodes, heart ailments finally forced her to leave the series. She died in July 1969 at the age of 54.

Veteran actress Fran Ryan replaced her as Doris Ziffel for five episodes. All three shows fell victims to CBS’s “rural purge” in 1971. 

During her time in Hooterville, Pepper acted opposite “Lucy” alumni Eddie Albert (The Fuller Brush Girl) and Jerry Hausner (”Lucy’s Last Birthday”). Other Hootervillians with Lucy connections include Eleanor Audley (Mrs. Douglas), Bea Benadaret (Kate Bradley), Charles Lane, Byron Foulger, Shirley Mitchell, Roy Roberts, Benny Rubin, Gail Bonney, Ray Kellogg, Eve McVeagh, Bobby Jellison, Herb Vigran, Amzie Strickland, Ross Elliot, George O’Hanlon, Joi Lansing, Doris Packer, Joan Blondell, Nancy Kulp, Sid Melton, Lou Krugman, Elvia Allman, Hayden Rorke, Janet Waldo, Maurice Marsac, and Rudy Vallee. Eva Gabor (Lisa Douglas) guest-starred in two episodes of “Here’s Lucy”.  

Film and TV fans will see Pepper pop up on episodes of classic shows like “Father Knows Best” (in 1956), “Bonanza” (in 1959), “The Danny Thomas Show” (in 1962), “Perry Mason” (1957-63), “Ozzie and Harriet” (1956-63), “Mr. Ed” (1965), “My Three Sons” (1966), and “Mayberry R.F.D.” (1969). 

Her experience as a showgirl helped her get cast in such musicals as The Music Man (1965) as a citizen of River City, and My Fair Lady (1964), dancing with Alfred P. Doolittle.