Arlene Golonka
Biography
Arlene Leanore Golonka was an American actress born in Chicago, Illinois on January 23, 1936. She died on May 31, 2021 at the age of 85. Throughout her career in acting, she accumulated known credits across film, television, and stage productions. Her professional television and film work included appearances in MAS*H, Get Smart, and Mary Tyler Moore, alongside roles on The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry R.F.D. Her acting career spanned supporting character roles, and she was recognized for her work in the entertainment industry alongside notable figures of her era such as Marlon Brando, Tab Hunter, Rory Calhoun, Rip Torn, and Rock Hudson.
Career overview
Arlene Leanore Golonka was an American actress born on January 23, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois. Throughout her career, she amassed 88 known acting credits across stage, film, and television. She was perhaps best known for playing the roles of Millie Hutchins on the television comedy The Andy Griffith Show and Millie Swanson on Mayberry R.F.D., often portraying bubbly, eccentric blondes in supporting character roles.
In addition to these notable television appearances, her career spanned various media projects. Reference materials connect her acting work to several notable television titles, including the projects MAS*H, Get Smart, and Mary Tyler Moore. Reflecting on her entry into the entertainment industry, Golonka noted that she began gaining recognition during an era defined by prominent film stars, expressing a desire to establish her own distinct name among them.
Golonka passed away on May 31, 2021, at the age of 85. Her legacy remains rooted in her extensive work as a supporting actress in American television and film history.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
99 titles- Scooby-Doo: Mystery in Motion (2012) as Debbie (voice) (archive footage)
- Scooby-Doo's Spookiest Tales (2003)
- A Family Affair (2001) as Leah Rosen
- The King of Queens (1998) as Annette
- Leather Jacket Love Story (1998) as Mom
- Johnny Bravo (1997) as (voice)
- Skeletons (1997) as Melanie Jove
- Cops n Roberts (1995)
- Amore! (1993) as Acting Coach
- Shock Cinema: Volume Three (1991) as Herself
- The End of Innocence (1990) as Claire
- The Gumshoe Kid (1990) as Gracie Sherman
- Trained To Kill (1989) as Martha Cooper
- Dr. Alien (1989) as Mom
- The Bronx Zoo (1987)
- Survival Game (1987) as Barbara Hawkins
- Matlock (1986) as Jackie Flemming
- Matlock (1986) as Jackie Westmore
- Foxtrap (1986) as Emily
- Growing Pains (1985) as Kitty
- Growing Pains (1985) as Nancy
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Sally Conover
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Gloria Winslow
- 1st & Ten (1984) as Edna
- The Hoboken Chicken Emergency (1984) as Helen Bobowicz
- My Tutor (1983) as Mrs. Chrystal
- Simon & Simon (1981)
- Gimme a Break! (1981)
- Separate Ways (1981) as Annie Donahue
- Longshot (1981) as Evelyn Gripp
- Secrets of Midland Heights (1980) as Nancy Grey
- The Last Married Couple in America (1980) as Sally Cooper
- The Further Adventures of Wally Brown (1980) as Ruthie Burdett
- Trapper John, M.D. (1979)
- $weepstake$ (1979)
- The In-Laws (1979) as Jean Ricardo
- Taxi (1978) as Sheila Martin
- Fantasy Island (1978) as Ava Foster
- Joe and Valerie (1978) as Stella Sweetzer
- Police Story: No Margin for Error (1978) as Hostage's Mother
- The Love Boat (1977) as Suzy Butterfiel
- The Love Boat (1977) as Doris Weldon
- Airport '77 (1977) as Mrs. Stern
- The San Pedro Beach Bums (1977)
- Alice (1976)
- One Day at a Time (1975)
- The Cop and the Kid (1975)
- The Secret Night Caller (1975) as Charlotte
- The Impersonation Murder Case (1975) as Bryne
- The Rockford Files (1974) as Jeannie Rosenthal
- Police Woman (1974) as Carolee English
- The Manhunter (1974)
- Tony Orlando and Dawn (1974) as Self
- Nightmare (1974) as Linda
- The Elevator (1974) as Wendy Thompson
- Barnaby Jones (1973) as Nora Frazier
- Barnaby Jones (1973) as Sue Paige
- Police Story (1973)
- Speed Buggy (1973) as Debbie (voice)
- Faraday and Company (1973) as Leah
- The Bait (1973) as Liz Fowler
- M*A*S*H (1972) as Nurse Edwina Ferguson
- The Rookies (1972)
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972) as Barbara Tyler
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972) as Rhoda
- The New Scooby-Doo Movies (1972) as Debbie (voice)
- Delphi Bureau (1972) as Stella
- Cannon (1971)
- All in the Family (1971) as Tina
- Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (1971) as Gloria Green
- Sarge (1971) as Marygrace Hammond
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970) as Alice
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970) as Betty Bowerchuck
- Love, American Style (1969) as Gloria
- Love, American Style (1969) as Debbie
- Love, American Style (1969) as Judith
- Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1969)
- Mayberry R.F.D. (1968) as Millie Swanson
- Hang 'em High (1968) as Jennifer
- The Love Song of Barney Kempinski (1968) as Mary
- The Flying Nun (1967) as Dottie
- Accidental Family (1967)
- Welcome to Hard Times (1967) as Mae
- The Busy Body (1967) as Bobbi Brody
- That Girl (1966)
- ABC Stage 67 (1966) as Mary
- Penelope (1966) as Honeysuckle Rose
- Get Smart (1965) as Zelda
- The F.B.I. (1965) as Gail Thompson
- The Big Valley (1965) as Gail Miller
- Harvey Middleman, Fireman (1965) as Harriet
- Diary of a Bachelor (1964) as Lois
- Love with the Proper Stranger (1963) as Marge (uncredited)
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- Car 54, Where Are You? (1961) as Laverne Montaine
- Car 54, Where Are You? (1961) as Edie the Gun Moll (uncredited)
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960) as Millie Hutchins
- Naked City (1958) as Alma Corgi
- Naked City (1958) as Carol
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Arlene Golonka best known for?
Arlene Golonka is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Erotic Mirror (2002), Joseph (1995), Horton Hears a Who! (2008), Amsterdamned (1988).
When and where was Arlene Golonka born?
Arlene Golonka was born on January 23, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. They passed away on May 31, 2021.
How many credits does Arlene Golonka have?
Arlene Golonka has accumulated over 99 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1958 to 2012.
What is Arlene Golonka's background in cinema and television?
Arlene Leanore Golonka was an American actress born in Chicago, Illinois on January 23, 1936. She died on May 31, 2021 at the age of 85. Throughout her career in acting, she accumulated known credits across film, television, and stage productions. Her professional television and film work included appearances in MAS*H,...
Arlene Golonka by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- M*A*S*H (1972) as Nurse Edwina Ferguson — aged about 36
- Get Smart (1965) as Zelda — aged about 29
- All in the Family (1971) as Tina — aged about 35
- The New Scooby-Doo Movies (1972) as Debbie (voice) — aged about 36
- The Rockford Files (1974) as Jeannie Rosenthal — aged about 38
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970) as Alice — aged about 34
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