Betty Garrett

 Betty Garrett (May 23, 1919 – February 12, 2011)

She originally performed on Broadway, and was then being signed to a film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She appeared in several musical films before returning to Broadway and making guest appearances on several television series. Garrett later became known for the roles she played in two prominent 1970s sitcoms: Archie Bunker's liberal neighbor Irene Lorenzo in All in the Family and landlady Edna Babish in Laverne & Shirley. In later years, she appeared in television series such as Grey's Anatomy, Boston Public and Becker as well as in several Broadway plays and revivals. Garrett received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2003. On the occasion of her 90th birthday in 2009, she was honored at a celebration sponsored by Theatre West at the Music Box Theatre in Hollywood. She was married to actor Larry Parks from 1944 until his death in 1975, they had two sons. Because of their past affiliations with the Communist Party, Garrett and Parks became embroiled with the House Un-American Activities Committee, although only Parks was forced to testify. He willingly admitted that he had been a member of the party and initially refused to name others, but later did so. Despite this he found himself on the Hollywood blacklist. Garrett also had trouble finding work, although as the mother of two young sons she did not mind being unemployed as much as her husband did. Garrett died of an aortic aneurysm in Los Angeles on February 12, 2011, at the age of 91.