Rhiannon Hendricks
Audrey Meadows, best known for her role as Alice Kramden on the 1950s American television comedy The Honeymooners, became the first woman to break the glass ceiling in Hollywood by earning a fortune for her role. Her brother, a lawyer, had inserted a clause into her contract that ensured she earned residual royalties, making her a millionaire. Meadows worked hard to gain the respect of her co-star Jackie Gleason, and their chemistry was off the charts. Despite her success, Meadows took a hiatus from acting, returning to play Alice in the 1970s for occasional Honeymooners specials.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for quitting | Not mentioned in sources |
| Known for playing | Deadpan housewife Alice Kramden on The Honeymooners |
| Other works | The Jackie Gleason Show, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Dean Martin's TV variety shows, The Red Skelton Show, The Simpsons, Dave's World |
| Earnings from The Honeymooners | Became a millionaire |
| Co-stars | Jackie Gleason, Art Carney |
| Awards and nominations | Won a Primetime Emmy Award for The Jackie Gleason Show, nominated for three more Primetime Emmys |
| Personal life | Married twice, served as director of the First National Bank of Denver for 11 years, published her memoirs in 1994 |
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What You'll Learn
Audrey Meadows became a millionaire from her role on 'The Honeymooners'
Audrey Meadows, best known for her role as Alice Kramden on the 1950s American television comedy The Honeymooners, became a millionaire from her role on the show. Meadows and her co-star, Jackie Gleason, signed a deal where they would make well over one million dollars during a three-year period. This was highly unusual for the time, especially for a woman in Hollywood.
Meadows worked hard to get the role of Alice Kramden, the deadpan housewife on The Honeymooners. She initially auditioned for Gleason and was rejected for being "too chic and pretty" to play Alice. However, she submitted a photo of herself looking plainer and drabber the next day and won the role. Meadows and Gleason had great chemistry, and she became well-known for her role, with the character of Alice becoming more associated with her than with other actresses who played the part.
In addition to her acting skills, Meadows's business acumen also contributed to her financial success. Her brother Edward, a lawyer, inserted a clause into her original contract for The Honeymooners, ensuring she would receive residual royalties if the show was re-broadcast. This clause earned her millions of dollars as the "Classic 39" episodes from 1955 to 1956 were aired in reruns. Meadows's contract negotiations positioned her to earn a significant income from her work on the show, demonstrating her understanding of the business side of the industry.
Meadows's success on The Honeymooners led to other opportunities, further increasing her wealth. She received four Primetime Emmy nominations for her television work, winning one for The Jackie Gleason Show. She also appeared in films, worked on Dean Martin's television variety shows, and returned to situation comedy in the 1980s with roles on shows like Too Close for Comfort. Additionally, Meadows had a successful personal life. She married Randolph Rouse, a wealthy real-estate businessman, in 1956, and later wed Robert F. Six, president of Continental Airlines. She also served as a director of the First National Bank of Denver for 11 years, becoming the first woman to hold that position.
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She was the only cast member to earn residual royalties
Audrey Meadows, who played Alice Kramden in the 1950s American television comedy The Honeymooners, was the only cast member to earn residual royalties. Meadows' brother Edward, a lawyer, inserted a clause into her original contract that ensured she would be paid if the shows were rebroadcast. This clause earned her millions of dollars when the "Classic 39" episodes of the show from 1955 to 1956 started airing in reruns.
Meadows' contract negotiations were well-known, and she was aware of them, but she was still surprised by the final amount she received. In a 1955 interview, she expressed her disbelief at the amount of zeros in her paycheck. Meadows also acknowledged that the half-hour episodes of The Honeymooners meant she could work less while earning more money.
The character of Alice became strongly associated with Meadows, and she reprised the role on other shows, including a man-on-the-street interview for The Steve Allen Show and a parody sketch on The Jack Benny Program. Meadows' portrayal of Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners earned her a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
The success of The Honeymooners made Meadows a millionaire, which was uncommon for women in Hollywood at the time, especially when standing next to a male leading co-star. Her performance on the show also led to other opportunities, such as working with Dean Martin on his television variety shows and celebrity roasts. Meadows' career and financial success demonstrate her impact on the entertainment industry and her ability to negotiate favourable contracts.
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Her brother, a lawyer, inserted a clause into her contract
Audrey Meadows, the actress who played Alice Kramden in the 1950s American television comedy The Honeymooners, became the only cast member to earn residual royalties after the "Classic 39" episodes of the show from 1955 to 1956 started airing in reruns. This was due to a clause in her contract inserted by her brother Edward, a lawyer, which ensured she would be paid if the shows were re-broadcast, earning her millions of dollars.
Meadows, who was initially rejected by Gleason for being "too chic and pretty" for the role of Alice, proved her dedication to the part by submitting a photo of herself looking "plainer" and ultimately winning the role. Her portrayal of the deadpan housewife became so iconic that she reprised the role on other shows, including a man-on-the-street interview for The Steve Allen Show and a parody sketch on The Jack Benny Program.
Meadows' contract for The Honeymooners was negotiated by her brother Edward, a lawyer, who included a clause ensuring she would receive residual payments for reruns of the show. This clause proved incredibly lucrative, as the "Classic 39" episodes from 1955 to 1956 became widely popular and were re-aired numerous times. Meadows' contract placed her in an unprecedented financial position for a woman in Hollywood at the time, especially compared to her male co-stars.
The specific details of the clause inserted by Edward Meadows are not publicly known, but its impact on Audrey Meadows' career and finances is undeniable. The residual royalties she earned from The Honeymooners provided her with financial security and the freedom to choose her subsequent projects. This contract set a precedent for actors, particularly women, to negotiate for better compensation and highlighted the importance of contractual clauses regarding reruns and syndication.
Audrey Meadows' brother, Edward, played a pivotal role in her career success by negotiating her contract for The Honeymooners and including the clause for residual royalties. His legal expertise and foresight not only benefited his sister financially but also left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry, demonstrating the power of contractual negotiations in shaping actors' careers.
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She reprised her role as Alice on other shows
Audrey Meadows reprised her role as Alice Kramden, the deadpan housewife from The Honeymooners, on several other shows. The character of Alice became more associated with Meadows than with other actresses who played her. Meadows returned to play Alice in the 1970s when Gleason produced occasional Honeymooners specials.
Meadows reprised her role as Alice on The Steve Allen Show, in a man-on-the-street interview format. Steve Allen was her brother-in-law. She also played Alice in a parody sketch on The Jack Benny Program.
In addition to her work on The Honeymooners, Meadows appeared in several other television shows and films. She earned four Primetime Emmy nominations for her television work, winning one for The Jackie Gleason Show. She appeared in a 1960 episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, titled "Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat", one of 17 episodes in the 10-year series directed by Hitchcock himself. She also appeared on Dean Martin's television variety shows and celebrity roasts, and returned to situation comedy in the 1980s, playing the mother-in-law on Too Close for Comfort. She guest-starred on The Red Skelton Show and made an appearance in an episode of Murder, She Wrote ("If the Frame Fits"). She also voiced the role of Bea Simmons, Grandpa Simpson's girlfriend, in an episode of The Simpsons ("Old Money"). Her last work was on the sitcom Dave's World, in which she played Kenny's mother.
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Audrey Meadows and Jackie Gleason had great on-screen chemistry
Despite having a famous feud with her co-star Jackie Gleason, who played her on-screen husband Ralph Kramden, Audrey Meadows and Gleason had incredible on-screen chemistry and created comedic magic together. Meadows left a lasting impression on both the small and big screens with her portrayal of the deadpan, quick-witted, and no-nonsense housewife Alice Kramden on the 1950s American television comedy "The Honeymooners".
Meadows' improvisational skills and close bond with Gleason added depth to her enigmatic persona, making her a beloved figure on and off the screen. She was the only member of the "Honeymooners" cast to earn residual royalties after the Classic 39 episodes of the show from 1955 to 1956 started airing in reruns. Her brother Edward, a lawyer, had inserted a clause into her original contract, entitling her to payment if the shows were re-broadcast, thus earning her millions of dollars. Meadows also earned four Primetime Emmy nominations for her television work, winning one for "The Jackie Gleason Show".
The character of Alice became more associated with Meadows than with the others who played her, and she reprised her role as Alice on other shows as well, including a man-on-the-street interview for "The Steve Allen Show" and a parody sketch on "The Jack Benny Program". Meadows' portrayal of Alice Kramden left a lasting impact on audiences around the world, and her outstanding performance in "The Honeymooners" earned her an Emmy Award nomination in 1956 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
In total, Meadows appeared in 39 episodes of "The Honeymooners", which have since been hailed as a classic. The on-screen chemistry between her and Gleason made the series a success, despite it only having one season. Meadows' impact on the entertainment industry, particularly in breaking barriers for female comedians, has left a timeless legacy that continues to captivate audiences.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Audrey Meadows did not quit The Honeymooners. She took a long hiatus from the show and returned when Gleason produced occasional specials in the 1970s.
There are no clear reasons as to why Audrey Meadows took a break from the show. However, she did work with Dean Martin on his television variety shows and celebrity roasts during her break.
Yes, Audrey Meadows played the deadpan housewife Alice Kramden on The Honeymooners.
Pert Kelton played Alice Kramden before Audrey Meadows took over the role.
Yes, Audrey Meadows was the only cast member of The Honeymooners to earn residual royalties. Her brother Edward, a lawyer, inserted a clause into her original contract that ensured she would be paid if the shows were re-broadcast.
