Can't go to bed without mentioning the passing of the great Anne Meara, who exited the stage over the weekend via natural causes at age 85. I was with someone a decade younger than I am when I got the news, and not recognizing her name he said: "What would I know her from?" Taking his age into consideration, I quickly said: "Steve's drunk mom on 'Sex and the City,'" and he immediately remembered her. (Boy, was she good on that.) For me, though, I can't really remember a time when Anne Meara wasn't around. Her Blue Nun ads with hubby Jerry were the radio equivalent of James Garner and Mariette Hartley's Polaroid television spots -- utterly delightful -- and from there she was Rhoda's stewardess buddy Sally Gallagher -- back when they were stewardesses -- whose personality made Rhoda seem like The Mary; Mrs. Sherwood in "Fame"; Veronica Rooney, Archie's foil on "Archie Bunker's Place" and a guest on every show of the 1970s and on, including this memorable appearance on "The Carol Burnett Show" (below). Still, the truth of the matter is Anne was always bigger than any part she played, because no character she portrayed could ever top Anne Meara. Thanks for the laughs, Mrs. Stiller.
1 comment:
Sad news indeed, she was really was everywhere in the 70's-series, talk shows radio and still quite a presence in the 80's and 90's. Such a warm presence, she was a hoot as the frazzled, pushy mother in The Daytrippers.
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