Junior Rasmussen
Audrey Meadows, born Audrey Cotter, was an American actress best known for her role as Alice Kramden in the 1950s American television comedy The Honeymooners. Meadows was around 29 years old when she first began playing the character of Alice, a role that would make her a very rich woman. The actress was born in Wu'chang, China, and moved to the US with her family when she was about 5 or 6 years old. She initially pursued a career in singing before transitioning into acting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | Unknown, but was around 5 years old in the early 1930s |
| Age at death | 73 |
| Year of death | 1996 |
| Role in The Honeymooners | Alice Kramden |
| Year cast as Alice Kramden | 1955 |
| Year The Honeymooners premiered | 1955 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Audrey Meadows was in her early 20s when she played Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners
- She replaced Pert Kelton, who was 9 years older than Jackie Gleason
- Meadows was initially rejected for the role for being too chic and pretty
- She was the only cast member to earn residual royalties for reruns
- She earned around $1,000 per episode, which was a lot of money at the time
Audrey Meadows was in her early 20s when she played Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners
Audrey Meadows, born Audrey Cotter, was in her early 20s when she played Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners. Meadows was born in Wu'chang, China, where her parents worked as missionaries. Her family returned to the US and settled in New England when Meadows was 5 or 6 years old. She and her sister, Jayne Meadows, attended an all-girls boarding school. After high school, Meadows moved to New York City and began working in show business as a singer, starring in the Broadway show Top Banana. She then got a job on The Bob & Ray Show in 1951.
Meadows replaced Pert Kelton as Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners in 1955. Kelton, who was nine years older than Jackie Gleason, was forced to leave the show due to blacklisting, with the official reason given as a health problem. When The Honeymooners became a half-hour situation comedy on CBS, Meadows continued in the role. She was the only member of the cast to earn residual royalties for reruns of the "Classic 39" episodes from 1955 to 1956, thanks to a clause inserted into her contract by her brother, a lawyer. Meadows's portrayal of Alice Kramden made her a very rich woman, earning her millions of dollars.
The role of Alice Kramden was highly sought-after, and Meadows had to demonstrate initiative and perseverance to secure the part. Initially, Meadows was rejected by Gleason for being too chic and pretty to play Alice. However, Meadows was determined to land the role, so she hired a photographer to take pictures of herself in frumpy clothes and no makeup, successfully tricking Gleason into believing she was the right fit for the character.
During the run of The Honeymooners, Meadows married Randolph Rouse, a wealthy real-estate businessman, in 1956. She later married her second husband, Robert F. Six, in 1961. Meadows passed away in 1996 at the age of 73, five days before her 74th birthday.
Honeymoon Travel Agencies: Domestic Bliss, Sorted
You may want to see also
Explore related products
She replaced Pert Kelton, who was 9 years older than Jackie Gleason
Pert Kelton was the original Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners. Kelton was a vaudevillian, Broadway player, and screen actress, often taking on comedic roles. She was born in 1907 and debuted on stage at the age of three in Cape Town, Union of South Africa, when her family was on an overseas tour. By the age of 12, Kelton was appearing with her parents as "The Three Keltons", and by 17, she was performing on Broadway. She moved to Hollywood in the latter half of 1927 and began her career in films, often portraying the leading lady's wisecracking friend.
Audrey Meadows replaced Pert Kelton as Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners in 1955. Meadows was born in 1922, making her nine years younger than Kelton. She was initially rejected by Jackie Gleason for being too chic and pretty to play Alice, but she managed to convince him by sending him a frumpy photo of herself. Meadows continued to play Alice when The Honeymooners became a half-hour situation comedy on CBS. She was the only member of the cast to earn residual royalties for reruns of the "Classic 39" episodes from 1955 to 1956.
Planning a Honeymoon in Paris: Understanding the Costs
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Meadows was initially rejected for the role for being too chic and pretty
Audrey Meadows, born Audrey Cotter, was an American actress who portrayed the iconic, deadpan housewife Alice Kramden on the 1950s American television comedy The Honeymooners. She was born in New York City in 1922 and was the younger sister of Hollywood leading lady Jayne Meadows.
Meadows was initially rejected for the role of Alice Kramden because she was considered too chic and pretty to be believable as Ralph's wife. She was told by Jackie Gleason that she was "too young, too pretty, and not right for the part." However, Meadows was determined to land the role and took steps to change her appearance. She hired a photographer to take pictures of herself in frumpy clothes, with no makeup, and her hair unfixed, aiming to portray a generally world-weary attitude. She then submitted these photos, successfully tricking Gleason into thinking she was a different woman. Impressed by her determination, Gleason hired her, and the rest is history.
Meadows' portrayal of Alice Kramden is considered iconic, and she is remembered for her on-screen chemistry with Jackie Gleason, her sarcastic remarks, and her comedic timing. She was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work on The Honeymooners, showcasing her talent and impact on the show.
In addition to her acting career, Meadows had a significant impact on the business side of the industry. She was the only member of the Honeymooners cast to earn residual royalties for the "'Classic 39' episodes," thanks to a clause inserted into her contract by her brother, a lawyer. This clause ensured she received payments for TV reruns and sales of the episodes, demonstrating her business acumen and forward-thinking approach to her career.
Audrey Meadows' story serves as a reminder that talent and determination can overcome initial obstacles. Her ability to adapt and her persistence in pursuing the role of Alice Kramden ultimately led to her success and enduring legacy in the entertainment industry.
Honeymoon in Maldives: A Dream Come True?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
She was the only cast member to earn residual royalties for reruns
Audrey Meadows, born Audrey Cotter on February 8, 1922, was 33 years old when she first played the character of Alice Kramden on "The Honeymooners" in 1955. Meadows was most famous for her role in the 1950s American television comedy "The Honeymooners" and only acted sporadically after that.
Meadows was one of the first actors to receive residual payments for her time, which she earned from reruns of the show. She is believed to be the only cast member of "The Honeymooners" who earned residuals for reruns, including the show's star, Jackie Gleason. Meadows' residuals were the result of her brother Edward, a lawyer, inserting a clause into her original contract that stipulated she would be paid if the show was rebroadcast. At the time, residuals and royalties were uncommon in television contracts. However, Meadows' brother theorised that reruns might one day be valuable, and he was correct. Each time the series appears, Meadows' estate earns a royalty. This ended up earning Meadows far more money than she made for her initial appearances on the show.
In addition to her role on "The Honeymooners", Meadows also appeared on "The Red Skelton Show", "Murder, She Wrote", "The Simpsons", and "Dave's World", among other shows. She earned four Primetime Emmy nominations for her television work, winning one for "The Jackie Gleason Show".
The Honeymoon Phase: How Long Does the Bliss Last?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
She earned around $1,000 per episode, which was a lot of money at the time
Audrey Meadows, who played Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners, was in her early thirties when she took on the role in 1955. The actress, born in 1922, was the younger sister of Hollywood leading lady Jayne Meadows.
Meadows earned around $1,000 per episode, which was a lot of money at the time. The show's 39-episode season paid its cast around $70,000 each per episode. Meadows was the only cast member to earn residual royalties, thanks to a clause her brother, a lawyer, inserted into her contract. This meant she earned millions of dollars when the "Classic 39" episodes from 1955 to 1956 were aired in reruns.
Meadows' contract with CBS included the residual clause because her brother advised her that reruns of the show would be valuable. This proved to be true, as the show is considered one of the most beloved in television history, and Meadows became one of the first actors to receive residual payments.
Before landing the role of Alice Kramden, Meadows had a career in singing and acting. She worked on the Broadway show "Top Banana" and appeared on The Bob & Ray Show. When Pert Kelton, the original Alice, left the show, Meadows was hired to replace her. She had to change her appearance to look less chic and pretty to fit the character, but her determination to land the role impressed Jackie Gleason, the creator of The Honeymooners.
The Evolution of Music: 'Aba Daba Honeymoon
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Audrey Meadows was in her mid-20s when she started playing Alice Kramden on The Honeymooners. She was born in 1922 and the show began in 1955 when she was 33.
Meadows got the role of Alice Kramden by dressing down for her audition. She was initially rejected for being too "chic and pretty" but after submitting a frumpy photo of herself, she was hired.
Meadows took home around $1,000 per episode of The Honeymooners. With around 39 episodes, that was a lot of money for a small star. She was also the only member of the cast to earn residual royalties for reruns of the show.
