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Merie Earle
Merie Earle
Merie Earle
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Merie Earle (born Goldie Merie Ireland; May 13, 1889 – November 4, 1984) was an American actress. She was best known for playing Maude Gormley on the television series The Waltons (1972–1979).[1]

Key Information

Early years

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After Earle's father retired, her parents relocated to La Crescenta, California, to be closer to their daughter. She was discovered by an agent while performing in a play at a Methodist church.[2]

Career

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Beginning her professional career late in life, Earle's first jobs included ads for Polaroid.[2]

In 1967 she made her feature film debut in Fitzwilly starring Dick Van Dyke.[2] Her screen credits included Gaily, Gaily (1969); In Name Only; Dr. Max (1974); Crazy Mama (1975); Fatso (1980); and Going Ape (1981). She was a regular on the TV series The Jerry Reed When You're Hot You're Hot Hour in 1972 and The Waltons from 1972 to 1979 as Maude Gormley. Earle also appeared in the made-for-TV movie The Last of the Good Guys in 1978.

Scheduled to make her Broadway debut, at age 88, in a revival of Paul Zindel's Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds in 1978, Earle suffered a fractured hip during the show's initial run in La Jolla, California and withdrew from the production prior to its New York premiere.[citation needed] She guest starred on many notable television series including Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, The Beverly Hillbillies, Bewitched, Night Gallery, The Bob Newhart Show, All in the Family, Alice, Phyllis and Whiz Kids.

In her eighties, she was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Death

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Earle died aged 95 on November 4, 1984, in Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale, California,[2] of uremia poisoning following surgery for colon cancer, having outlived both her husband and her daughter.[3]

She was interred at Green Lawn Cemetery in her home town of Columbus, Ohio.[4]

Filmography

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Film

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Television

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References

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Bibliography

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Merie Earle

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Merie Earle (May 13, 1889 – November 4, 1984) was an American actress best known for her recurring role as the spirited elderly neighbor Maude Gormley on the television series , which aired from 1972 to 1981. Born Goldie Merie Ireland in , she led a private life until her late seventies, when she began acting after relocating to Hollywood in 1952 with her husband, retired train engineer Lawrence Nathan Earls, to be near their daughter. Earle's breakthrough came through television commercials, including a memorable series of Dodge automobile ads in the 1960s where she portrayed a hot-rodding "little old lady from Pasadena," as well as spots chiding viewers to call their loved ones for Pacific Telephone's "Reach out and touch someone" campaign and commercials for . Her film debut was in 1967's , followed by roles in over a dozen features, such as the elderly Bertha in (1975), Mrs. Maluch in (1980), and appearances in Norwood (1970), Gaily, Gaily (1969), and Going Ape! (1981). On television, beyond The Waltons, she guest-starred as Mrs. Loomis on The Bob Newhart Show, and in episodes of Green Acres, Bewitched, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, CPO Sharkey, and Happy Days, amassing around 50 commercial appearances and multiple The Tonight Show spots over her brief but prolific career. Earle died at age 95 on November 4, 1984, at Verdugo Hills Hospital in , from uremic poisoning following colon cancer surgery on October 15; she was predeceased by her husband and daughter but survived by a niece. She was buried at Green Lawn Cemetery in .

Early life

Birth and family background

Merie Earle was born Goldie Merie on May 13, 1889, in Morrow, Salem Township, . Her parents were (1856–1938), a resident of , and Carrie C. Clark (1864–1940). She had two brothers, Robert Clark and William . Earle spent her childhood and early years in the Columbus area of , where census records indicate her family resided by at least 1910. Little is documented about her formal education or specific early influences during this period.

Marriage and relocations

Earle married Lawrence Nathan Earls, a train engineer, on November 15, 1909. In 1952, following Earls' retirement, the couple relocated from to La Crescenta, California, to be closer to their daughter, Betty Lou Earls Lambert. Lawrence Nathan Earls died on June 10, 1954, in Los Angeles, California.

Career

Discovery and early acting roles

Merie Earle entered the acting profession in her late seventies after being spotted by a while performing in a play at a Methodist church in . At the time, she was approximately 77 years old, marking the beginning of her unexpected late-in-life career shift from to . Her initial forays into the industry involved commercial work, including print advertisements for Polaroid in 1967, which served as her first paying role. She also appeared in spots for Pacific Telephone's "Reach out and touch someone" campaign and Shakey's Pizza. She gained early recognition through a series of television commercials for Dodge automobiles in the late 1960s, portraying the spirited "Little Old Lady from Pasadena," a hot-rodding granny character that highlighted her comedic timing and endeared her to audiences. Earle's film debut came in 1967 with an uncredited role as an elderly shoplifter in , a comedy directed by and starring . This appearance introduced her to the silver screen and paved the way for subsequent opportunities in both film and television. In the late , she secured her first guest spots on popular situation comedies, including an episode of in 1967 where she played Martha Hughes. She also appeared multiple times on starting in 1966, portraying characters such as Sarah Hotchkiss, which showcased her ability to embody quirky, memorable supporting roles. These early television gigs helped establish her presence in Hollywood during the decade.

Film work

Earle's transition to feature films in the 1970s built on her growing television guest appearances, where she frequently portrayed eccentric elderly women in supporting roles that highlighted her warm, quirky charm. Her film debut had come earlier in Fitzwilly (1967) as an uncredited elderly shoplifter, but it was during this decade that she secured more prominent character parts, often as ditzy or lovable old ladies who added comic relief or heartfelt depth to ensemble casts. Among her notable films, Earle played Granny in Gaily, Gaily (1969), a lively period comedy directed by , where her character embodied the spirited matriarch of a chaotic . She followed this with the role of Grandma Whichcoat in Norwood (1970), a road-trip dramedy starring , portraying a feisty rural elder who joins the protagonist's adventures. In Teachers (1974), she appeared as Ethel, a meddlesome community figure in this low-budget ensemble film about young educators. Her performance as Bertha in (1975), Jonathan Demme's exploitation comedy, stood out as one of her largest screen roles, depicting her as a sassy, gun-toting grandmother in a of outlaws led by . Later in the decade, Earle continued in this vein with Mrs. Maluch in (1980), a comedy about where she played a supportive, no-nonsense neighbor to Dom DeLuise's character, and as Binocular Lady in Going Ape! (1981), a zany family film involving circus animals and inheritance antics. These roles solidified her screen persona as a endearing, often whimsical senior, drawing from her earlier commercial work as a "hot-rodding granny" in ads that showcased a playful, unconventional elderly . This as lovable eccentrics not only complemented her television success but also made her a recognizable presence in cinema. In 1978, Earle was scheduled for her Broadway debut at age 89 in a revival of Paul Zindel's The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, but she withdrew after falling and breaking her hip during rehearsals.

Television work

Earle's most prominent television role was as Maude Gormley, a feisty and eccentric mountain woman and neighbor to the , on the drama series . She appeared in 14 episodes from 1972 to 1979, bringing a spirited portrayal that highlighted her comedic timing and folksy charm. This recurring character often provided and wisdom in the show's depiction of rural life during the and eras. In 1972, Earle served as a regular performer on the short-lived variety series The Jerry Reed When You're Hot You're Hot Hour, hosted by country singer , where she contributed to sketches and musical segments alongside the cast. Her television presence expanded through guest spots on numerous popular programs, beginning in the late 1960s with roles such as Rebecca's Mother on in 1968 and an uncredited saloon woman on in 1969. Early 1970s appearances included an elderly woman on in 1970, Mrs. Loomis on in 1972, and Florence Talley, an elderly friend of , on in 1977. Into the 1980s, Earle continued her guest work with a role as Mrs. Smithers on in 1981, embodying a meddlesome passenger in the anthology-style episode. She also made multiple appearances on , including segments in 1984 where she discussed her late-blooming acting career at age 95. This progression from episodic guest roles in the to sustained prominence in the and selective spots in the 1980s underscored her versatility as a character actress in American television.

Personal life

Family details

Merie Earle and her husband Lawrence Nathan Earls had one daughter, Betty Lou Earls Lambert, born on January 16, 1916, in . Betty Lou, who married James Woodrow Fryman in 1936, passed away on October 4, 1978, in , , predeceasing her mother by six years. Earle had no other children and did not remarry following Earls's death on June 10, 1954. Her immediate family remained limited to this single offspring, with no records of grandchildren publicly documented. Extended family ties included two brothers: William Ireland (1885–1978) and Robert Clark Ireland (1896–1961), both of whom remained connected to the family's roots during Earle's early years. These relations provided a stable familial backdrop, though Earle's late-starting in overlapped with her siblings' lives, with her daughter offering proximity and support in the years leading up to Betty Lou's death; she was survived by a niece.

Later years and health

Following the conclusion of her regular appearances on The Waltons in 1979, Earle continued to take on sporadic acting roles into the early 1980s, including the part of Mrs. Maluch in the comedy film (1980), directed by . She also appeared as the Binocular Lady in Going Ape! (1981) and made guest spots on television series such as in 1981. These later projects reflected her enduring appeal as a character actress, often portraying feisty elderly women, though her output diminished as she entered her nineties. Earle resided in Glendale, California, after her time on The Waltons, living in the Los Angeles area where much of her later career was based. She maintained ties to the Methodist church community, consistent with her earlier discovery in a church play, and her memorial service was held at the Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church in nearby Montrose. As she aged, Earle faced health challenges typical of advanced years, including a non-fatal injury in 1978 when, at age 88, she fell and hurt herself during rehearsals for the pre-Broadway production of Paul Zindel's The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds in , California, forcing her withdrawal from what would have been her Broadway debut. The incident, described as not serious at the time, nonetheless highlighted the physical demands of her ongoing professional commitments.

Death and legacy

Final days

In late 1984, Merie Earle was hospitalized at Verdugo Hills Hospital in , following a diagnosis of colon cancer. On , she underwent surgery to treat the condition, but complications developed during her recovery. These issues culminated in uremic poisoning, which proved fatal. Earle passed away on November 4, 1984, at the age of 95, while still under care. She was survived by her niece, Elsie Weaver, who was her closest living relative at the time.

Burial and remembrance

Merie Earle was interred at Green Lawn Cemetery in , following her death in . Memorial services for Earle were held on November 8, 1984, at 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Montrose, , with burial following in . Earle's legacy endures primarily through her role as Maude Gormley on the television series , where she appeared in recurring episodes between 1972 and 1979, portraying a spirited, reclusive mountain woman who added depth and humor to the show's ensemble of rural characters.

Filmography

Film roles

Earle made her film debut in (1967), appearing as the Elderly Shoplifter in an uncredited role. Her next role was as Granny in Gaily, Gaily (1969). In Norwood (1970), she portrayed Grandma Whichcoat. She appeared in Clay Pigeon (1971). She played Ethel in Summer School Teachers (1973). Earle appeared as Mrs. Kredenza in Dr. Max (1974). In Crazy Mama (1975), her role was Bertha. She had an uncredited appearance in Mad Bull (1977). Earle portrayed Fannoy in Last of the Good Guys (1978). In Valentine (1979), she played Birdie. Her role in (1980) was Mrs. Maluch. Earle's final film credit was as the Binocular Lady in Going Ape! (1981).

Television roles

Earle's television career began in the late with guest appearances on rural sitcoms, marking her entry into acting at age 78. She made her debut as Hughes in the "Is This My Daughter?" episode of in 1967. She followed with roles in (1965–1970, as Sarah Hotchkiss Trendell in multiple episodes, including "Home Is Where You Run Away From" in 1968), (1970, as Old Lady in "Samantha's Lost Weekend"), (1968, as Rebecca's Mother in "The Great Tag-Team Match"), and additional spots on through 1970. In the early 1970s, Earle continued guest starring on Western and family dramas, including Bonanza (1969, as Saloon Woman (uncredited) in "Dead Wrong"). She also appeared on The Jerry Reed When You're Hot You're Hot Hour as a regular in 1972. Her most prominent television role was as the eccentric mountain resident Maude Gormley on The Waltons, appearing in 24 episodes from 1972 to 1979, with her debut in the notable season 1 episode "The Minstrel" (aired December 21, 1972). Other 1970s guest roles included All in the Family (1977, as Florence Talley in "Unequal Partners"), The Love Boat (1977, as Mrs. Smithers), Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976–1977), CPO Sharkey (1978), Happy Days (1979), and The Bob Newhart Show (1972–1978, as Mrs. Loomis in multiple episodes), as well as variety appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (frequent guest in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including episodes on July 26, 1979, and March 13, 1984).

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0247338/
  2. https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/09/obituaries/merie-earle-actress-dies-maude-gormley-on-waltons.html
  3. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0247338/bio/
  4. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/11/06/Merie-Earle-who-started-in-show-business-at-the/6137468565200/
  5. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0247338/trivia/
  6. https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/G4SD-DTR/goldie-merie-ireland-1889-1984
  7. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22999/merie-earle
  8. https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/G4SD-N75/lawrence-nathan-earls-1891-1954
  9. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10769193/lawrence-nathan-earls
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061669/fullcredits/
  11. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2396611-merie-earle
  12. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/merie_earle
  13. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080724/
  14. https://www.nytimes.com/1978/03/10/archives/broadway-once-more-down-the-rabbit-hole-this-time-with-disco.html
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0522632/
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0529533/
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0509951/
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6014270/
  19. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/56408
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064357/fullcredits/
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066848/fullcredits/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073764/
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071440/fullcredits/
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072829/
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076345/fullcredits/
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077839/
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080078/
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082457/fullcredits/
  29. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0673946/
  30. https://watch.plex.tv/person/merie-earle
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0743795/
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6032198/
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