Actress and Singer. Best known for her role as Lillian "Mama" Carlson on the television series "WKRP in Cincinnati" from 1979-1982 replacing actress Sylvia Sidney. She was born Shirley Levy and started her singing career in a Montréal night club in 1937. In 1940, she made her Broadway debut in the musical comedy "Louisiana Purchase." Irving Berlin wrote the role especially for her. The following year she signed a contract with Universal studios and appeared in three films: "This Woman Is Mine," "Keep 'em Flying" and "Behind the Eight Ball." During this time, she sang before President Franklin Roosevelt on his birthday. She would leave film and return to stage. She appeared in numerous stage productions including "Do I Hear a Waltz?" in 1965. In 1980, she appeared in the film "American Gigolo." In 1987, she was seen in the comedy "Planes, Trains & Automobiles," opposite Steve Martin and John Candy. After "WKRP" was cancelled she continued work on television guest-starring on several shows including:"Knots Landing," Perfect Strangers," "The Golden Girls," and "Diagnosis Murder." She was last seen in 2000 on the show "That's Life." She retired from show business soon after and died at age 87 of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on October 9, 2007.
Actress and Singer. Best known for her role as Lillian "Mama" Carlson on the television series "WKRP in Cincinnati" from 1979-1982 replacing actress Sylvia Sidney. She was born Shirley Levy and started her singing career in a Montréal night club in 1937. In 1940, she made her Broadway debut in the musical comedy "Louisiana Purchase." Irving Berlin wrote the role especially for her. The following year she signed a contract with Universal studios and appeared in three films: "This Woman Is Mine," "Keep 'em Flying" and "Behind the Eight Ball." During this time, she sang before President Franklin Roosevelt on his birthday. She would leave film and return to stage. She appeared in numerous stage productions including "Do I Hear a Waltz?" in 1965. In 1980, she appeared in the film "American Gigolo." In 1987, she was seen in the comedy "Planes, Trains & Automobiles," opposite Steve Martin and John Candy. After "WKRP" was cancelled she continued work on television guest-starring on several shows including:"Knots Landing," Perfect Strangers," "The Golden Girls," and "Diagnosis Murder." She was last seen in 2000 on the show "That's Life." She retired from show business soon after and died at age 87 of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on October 9, 2007.
Bio by: The Perplexed Historian
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