Edie Adams
Biography
Edie Adams was an American comedian, actress, singer, and businesswoman born on April 16, 1927, in Kingston, Pennsylvania, and also known as Edith Elizabeth Enke. Active as an actress with numerous known credits, she was a Tony Award winner and well known for her impersonations of female stars, particularly Marilyn Monroe. Her career included notable film roles in the 1960s, such as playing Fred MacMurray's secretary in the film The Apartment, portraying the wife of a presidential candidate played by Cliff Robertson in The Best Man, and appearing in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. She was also a regular television partner to her husband, Ernie Kovacs, continuing her career for more than four decades after his death in 1962. She died on October 15, 2008.
Career overview
Edie Adams, born Edith Elizabeth Enke on April 16, 1927, in Kingston, Pennsylvania, was an American singer, actress, comedienne, and businesswoman who was prominent in the second half of the 1900s. Known on stage, television, and film, Adams won a Tony Award and became well known for her impersonations of female stars, most particularly Marilyn Monroe. She both embodied and winked at the stereotypes of the fetching chanteuse and sexpot blonde.
Adams was a regular television partner to her husband, Ernie Kovacs. Following his death in 1962, her career continued for more than four decades. During the 1960s, she took on supporting roles in several films. Her movie appearances included playing the secretary to Fred MacMurray in the multi-Oscar-winning film The Apartment in 1960, portraying the wife of a presidential candidate played by Cliff Robertson in The Best Man, and appearing in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
Throughout her extensive career, Adams accumulated 69 known acting credits on film and television. She passed away on October 15, 2008, at the age of 81.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
71 titles- Inside 'The Apartment' (2008) as Self
- Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) as Self
- Lucille Ball: Finding Lucy (2000) as Self
- Doris Day: It's Magic (1998) as Self
- Tales of the City (1993) as Ruby Miller
- Something a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World' (1991) as Self
- Hoodwinked (1989) as Senior Club Member
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Kaye Sheppard
- Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter (1984) as Mae West
- Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter (1984) Technical Advisor
- Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter (1984) Story
- Shooting Stars (1983) as Hazel
- American Playhouse (1982) as Ruby Miller
- Ernie Kovacs: Television's Original Genius (1982) as Self
- The Haunting of Harrington House (1981) as Madame Zenia
- Bosom Buddies (1980)
- The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood (1980) as Rita Beater
- Portrait of an Escort (1980) as Mrs. Kennedy
- A Cry for Love (1980) as Tessie
- Make Me an Offer (1980) as Francine Sherman
- Mrs. Columbo (1979) as Joanne Huston
- The Seekers (1979) as Flora Cato
- Racquet (1979) as Leslie Sargent
- Fast Friends (1979) as Connie Burton
- Vega$ (1978) as Angela
- Up in Smoke (1978) as Tempest Stoner
- The Eddie Capra Mysteries (1978)
- Superdome (1978) as Joyce
- Tarzana (1978) as Hooker
- The Love Boat (1977) as Maureen Buell
- The Practice (1976)
- Cop on the Beat (1975) as Massage Parlor Owner
- Police Woman (1974)
- Harry O (1974)
- Police Story (1973) as Woman Manager
- Evil Roy Slade (1972) as Flossie
- Love, American Style (1969) as Mrs. Winslow
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self
- The Honey Pot (1967) as Merle McGill
- The Oscar (1966) as Trina Yale
- Made in Paris (1966) as Irene Chase
- The Hollywood Palace (1964) as Self
- The Best Man (1964) as Mabel Cantwell
- The Danny Kaye Show (1963) as Self
- It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) as Monica Crump
- Love with the Proper Stranger (1963) as Barbie
- Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963) as Dr. Irene Wilson
- Call Me Bwana (1963) as Frederica
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Lucy Show (1962) as Nanette Johnson
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- Lover Come Back (1961) as Rebel Davis
- The Spiral Staircase (1961) as Blanche
- The Apartment (1960) as Miss Olsen
- The Bell Telephone Hour (1959) as Self
- Kovacs on Music (1959) as Self
- Kraft Music Hall (1958) as Self
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self
- Suspicion (1957) as Gloria Chrystie
- The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour (1957) as Edie Adams
- Cinderella (1957) as Fairy Godmother
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Performer
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) as Self
- Showdown at Ulcer Gulch (1956) as Wife of man in bar
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Sue Ellen
- The Ernie Kovacs Show (1951)
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- Suspense (1949)
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Edie Adams best known for?
Edie Adams is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003), Tales of the City (1993), Hoodwinked (1989), Murder, She Wrote (1984).
When and where was Edie Adams born?
Edie Adams was born on April 16, 1927 in Kingston, Pennsylvania, USA. They passed away on October 15, 2008.
How many credits does Edie Adams have?
Edie Adams has accumulated over 71 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1948 to 2008.
What is Edie Adams's background in cinema and television?
Edie Adams was an American comedian, actress, singer, and businesswoman born on April 16, 1927, in Kingston, Pennsylvania, and also known as Edith Elizabeth Enke. Active as an actress with numerous known credits, she was a Tony Award winner and well known for her impersonations of female stars, particularly Marilyn Mon...
Edie Adams by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour (1957) as Edie Adams — aged about 30
- The Apartment (1960) as Miss Olsen — aged about 33
- The Bell Telephone Hour (1959) as Self — aged about 32
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self — aged about 40
- Tales of the City (1993) as Ruby Miller — aged about 66
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Kaye Sheppard — aged about 57
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