ANN SOTHERN

January 22, 1911

Ann Sothern was born Harriette Arlene Lake in Valley City, North Dakota, but was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. When her parents divorced in 1927, Sothern moved with her father to Seattle, where she attended the University of Washington, dropping out after one year.

While visiting her mother in California, she won a role in the Warner Brothers revue The Show of Shows.

She did a screen test for MGM and signed a six-month contract. When MGM decided not to pick up her option, she moved to New York City to appear on Broadway. Returning to Hollywood, she appeared with Lucille Ball in bit parts in a series of films: 

• Broadway Through A Keyhole (1933)
• Kid Millions (1934)
• Hooray for Love (1935)
• There Goes My Love (1937)
• Thousands Cheer (1943)

Although she was announced for Du Barry Was a Lady (1943), the role was eventually played by Lucille Ball.

In 1953, Sothern landed her own TV series “Private Secretary” (1953-57) appearing as Susie McNamara on all 104 episodes. Sothern played the first working woman on an American sitcom.

 When Sothern had creative differences with the producers, Desilu came to the rescue, producing a new version of the show with basically the same cast. To avoid confusion, when “Private Secretary” was syndicated it became known as “Susie”. 

Before the launch of the new show, Sothern joined Lucille Ball in the very first episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” playing the character she had just left behind, private secretary Susie McNamara. The episode was the story of how Lucy McGillicuddy (Susie’s girlfriend and fellow secretary) met her husband Ricky in Havana. 

“The Ann Sothern Show” (1958-61) featured Sothern as Katie O’Connor, manager of a hotel. It ran for 93 episodes. On October 5, 1959, Lucille Ball played Lucy Ricardo on the series two opener. 

“Lucy used to complain that she got all the parts I turned down. Now I produce the show, and she owns the studio. I guess that settles that.” ~ Ann Sothern

When Vivian Vance decided to leave “The Lucy Show” after its third season, Lucille Ball employed Sothern as the recurring character of her old friend Rosie Harrigan, the Countess Frambois. She was featured in seven 1965 episodes. 

“Lucy and the Countess” (TLS S3;E19) aired February 1, 1965

“My Fair Lucy” (TLS S3;E20) aired on February 8, 1965

“Lucy and the Countess Lose Weight” (TLS S3;E21) aired on February 15, 1965

“Lucy and the Old Mansion” (TLS S3;E22) aired on March 1, 1965. This was the only time Vivian Vance and Sothern shared the screen. 

“Lucy and the Countess Have a Horse Guest” (TLS S4;E6) aired October 25, 1965. This was the only time Sothern shared the screen with William Frawley, in his final screen appearance. In September 1965, Sothern began doing the voice of Gladys Crabtree (the car) on “My Mother the Car” (1965-66). 

“Lucy Helps the Countess” (TLS S4;E8) aired on November 8, 1965. The countess gets her real estate license.

“Lucy and the Undercover Agent” (TLS S4;E10) aired on November 22, 1965

“I love Lucille (Ball), and I know she loves me. Furthermore, I’m one of the few people who call her Lucille. I understand her. A lot people think she is tough. But that’s just her way. She’s soft inside.” ~ Ann Sothern

In September 1936 Sothern married actor Roger Pryor. They divorced in May 1943. A week later she married Robert Sterling, had one child together (Patricia), and divorced in 1949. 

Her final screen role in The Whales of August (1987) earned her an Oscar nomination

but she lost out to Olympia Dukakis for Moonstruck. Sothern played

Letitia Benson-Doughty in a film with Bette Davis and Lilian Gish. 

From 1987 to 2001, she lived in quiet retirement near Sun Valley, Idaho, a place also dear to Lucille Ball. She died at 92.

She was interred at Ketchum Cemetery in Idaho.

“Good night…and stay happy.” ~ Ann Sothern