RIP SUSAN TOLSKY

Susan Gaye Tolsky (1943-2022) was a character actress most famous for her role as Biddie Cloom on “Here Comes the Brides” (1968-70). Tolsky made her film debut in the film Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971) as Miss Craymire, secretary of Rock Hudson’s character.

In February 1972, Tolsky appeared as Sue Ann Ditbenner, a neighbor of Kim Carter’s on the “Here’s Lucy” episode “Kim Finally Cuts You-Know-Whose Apron Strings” (HL S4;E24). This was also a pilot for a possible spin-off for Lucie Arnaz, but it was not picked up for series. Had it been sold, Tolsky would have played Kim’s whacky neighbor. 

Possibly feeling bad for Tolsky about the failure of the spin-off, Lucille Ball re-hired Tolsky later in 1972, at the start of season five of “Here’s Lucy,” to play an off-beat secretary named Miss Quigley, who subs for Lucy at the Employment Agency while her broken leg is healing in “A Home is Not an Office” (HL S5;E4).  Interestingly, on both episodes of “Here’s Lucy,” Tolsky has no scenes with Lucille Ball! 

Tolsky died in North Hollywood on October 9, 2022, at the age of 79.