Betsy Palmer
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- November 1, 1926 in East Chicago, Indiana, USA
- Died
- May 29, 2015
- Active Years
- 1948–2023 (76 Years)
- Total Credits
- 76 credits in database
Biography
Betsy Palmer was an American actress born Patricia Betsy Hrunek on November 1, 1926, in East Chicago, Indiana. Her parents were Marie Love, who founded the Chicago Business School, and Rudolf Vincent. After taking an aptitude test at the Chicago YWCA that indicated a flair for the arts, her father introduced her to a former New York actor who recommended she study with David Itkin. Palmer had 66 known acting credits in movies and television shows. She was best known as a regular panelist on the game show I've Got a Secret and later for playing Mrs. Voorhees in the 1980 slasher film Friday the 13th. She passed away on May 29, 2015, at the age of 88.
Career overview
Betsy Palmer was an American actress born Patricia Betsy Hrunek in East Chicago, Indiana, on November 1, 1926. Her parents were Marie Love, who founded the Chicago Business School, and Rudolf Vincent. After taking an aptitude test at the Chicago YWCA that indicated a flair for the arts, a former New York actor whom her father brought home for dinner recommended that she study with David Itkin.
Throughout her career, Palmer accumulated 66 known acting credits across movies and television shows. She became best known as a regular panelist on the game show Ive Got a Secret and later for playing Mrs. Voorhees in the 1980 slasher film Friday the 13th.
Palmer passed away on May 29, 2015, at the age of 88.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
76 titles- Friday the 13th: Origin of Evil - Part 3 (2023)
- Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (2021) as Self
- Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th (2013) as Self
- His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th (2010) as Self
- Friday's Legacy: Horror Conventions (2009) as Self
- Into the Pit: The Shocking Story of Deadpit.com (2009) as Self
- Bell Witch: The Movie (2007) as Bell Witch
- Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (2006) as Self
- Betsy Palmer: A Scream Queen Legend (2006) as Herself
- Penny Dreadful (2005) as Trudie Tredwell
- The Friday the 13th Chronicles (2004) as Self
- Friday the 13th: From Crystal Lake to Manhattan (Crystal Lake Victims Tell All - Documentary) (2004) as Self
- Return to Crystal Lake: Making 'Friday the 13th' (2003) as Herself
- Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star (2002) as Self - Actress
- FreakyLinks (2000) as Betty
- The Fear: Resurrection (1999) as Grandmother
- Television: The First Fifty Years (1999) as Self
- Just Shoot Me! (1997) as Rhonda
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- James Dean and Me (1995) as Self (uncredited)
- Unveiled (1994) as Eva
- Still Not Quite Human (1992) as Aunt Mildred
- Windmills of the Gods (1988) as Mrs. Hart Brisbane
- Goddess of Love (1988) as Hera
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Lila Norris
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Valerie
- Charles in Charge (1984) as Gloria
- Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) as Pamela Voorhees (archive footage)
- T. J. Hooker (1982) as Anne Armstrong
- Newhart (1982)
- Friday the 13th Part III (1982) as Mrs. Pamela Voorhees (archive footage)
- Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) as Mrs. Voorhees
- Maggie (1981) as Virginia Sullivan
- Isabel's Choice (1981) as Ellie Fineman
- Friday the 13th (1980) as Mrs. Voorhees
- Knots Landing (1979) as Virginia Bullock
- The Love Boat (1977) as Millicent Holton
- CHiPs (1977) as Self (uncredited)
- Columbo (1971) as Martha Lamarr
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Last Angry Man (1959) as Anna Thrasher
- It Happened to Jane (1959) as Betsy Palmer
- No Time at All (1958) as Emmy Verdon
- The True Story of Lynn Stuart (1958) as Phyllis Carter / Lynn Stuart
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self
- The Tin Star (1957) as Nona Mayfield
- Playhouse 90 (1956) as Emmy Verdon
- The Long Gray Line (1955) as Kitty Carter
- Queen Bee (1955) as Carol Lee Phillips
- Mister Roberts (1955) as Lieutenant Ann Girard
- Death Tide (1955) as Gloria
- The Red, White and Blue Line (1955) as Self
- Climax! (1954) as Elizabeth
- Climax! (1954) as Fran Coates
- Climax! (1954) as Connie Rankin Hill
- Inner Sanctum (1954)
- General Electric Theater (1953) as (uncredited)
- Death Is My Neighbor (1953) as Netta
- Marty (1953) as Virginia
- Sentence of Death (1953) as Ellen Morrison
- I've Got a Secret (1952) as Self
- Miss Susan (1951)
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Nancy Aragon
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self - Panelist
- Lux Video Theatre (1950)
- Studio One (1948)
- Studio One (1948) as Edith Olmstead
- Studio One (1948) as Ann Meade
- Studio One (1948) as Dony Waller
- Studio One (1948) as Maureen Drew
- Studio One (1948) as Mimi
- Studio One (1948) as Ellen Morrison
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- The Philco Television Playhouse (1948)
- The Philco Television Playhouse (1948) as Janice Gans
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Betsy Palmer best known for?
Betsy Palmer is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Stalingrad (1993), Just Shoot Me! (1997), The Happy Hooker (1975), Murder, She Wrote (1984).
When and where was Betsy Palmer born?
Betsy Palmer was born on November 1, 1926 in East Chicago, Indiana, USA. They passed away on May 29, 2015.
How many credits does Betsy Palmer have?
Betsy Palmer has accumulated over 76 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1948 to 2023.
What is Betsy Palmer's background in cinema and television?
Betsy Palmer was an American actress born Patricia Betsy Hrunek on November 1, 1926, in East Chicago, Indiana. Her parents were Marie Love, who founded the Chicago Business School, and Rudolf Vincent. After taking an aptitude test at the Chicago YWCA that indicated a flair for the arts, her father introduced her to a f...
Betsy Palmer by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Nancy Aragon — aged about 24
- Columbo (1971) as Martha Lamarr — aged about 44
- I've Got a Secret (1952) as Self — aged about 25
- Playhouse 90 (1956) as Emmy Verdon — aged about 29
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Lila Norris — aged about 57
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Valerie — aged about 57
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