Junior Rasmussen
Audrey Meadows, born on February 8, 1922, in New York City, played the iconic role of Alice Kramden in the American television sitcom 'The Honeymooners'. Meadows earned four Primetime Emmy nominations for her television work, winning one for 'The Jackie Gleason Show'. 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. However, her journey to landing the role of Alice Kramden was not easy. Meadows had to overcome challenges such as initial rejection due to her appearance and the need to replace another actress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for replacement | Pert Kelton, the original actress playing Alice Kramden, was blacklisted. |
| Replacement | Audrey Meadows |
| Year of replacement | 1952 |
| Reason for blacklisting | Kelton's husband, Ralph, had marched in a May Day parade. |
| Year of Audrey Meadow's death | 1996 |
| Age at death | 73 |
| Year of birth | 1922 |
| Role in The Honeymooners | Alice Kramden |
| Year of role reprisal | 1970s |
| Reason for role reprisal | Gleason produced occasional Honeymooners specials |
| Number of Primetime Emmy nominations | 4 |
| Number of Primetime Emmy wins | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
Audrey Meadows was initially rejected for the role of Alice Kramden
Audrey Meadows, born on February 8, 1922, in New York City, was initially rejected for the role of Alice Kramden in the American television sitcom "The Honeymooners" because she was considered too attractive for the part. The show's creator, Jackie Gleason, thought she was too chic, young, and pretty to play Alice, the wife of Ralph Kramden, a New York City bus driver.
Meadows was persistent in her pursuit of the role and took steps to change her appearance to convince Gleason otherwise. She submitted a photograph of herself in drab house clothes, with no makeup, her hair undone, and looking much plainer. This strategy proved successful, and Gleason changed his mind, ultimately casting Meadows as Alice.
Meadows' experience demonstrates the importance of persistence and taking initiative. She proved that one can accomplish almost anything with determination and creativity. Her portrayal of Alice Kramden became iconic, and she reprised the role in various specials and sketches, even earning a Primetime Emmy nomination for her performance.
Meadows' portrayal of Alice Kramden was groundbreaking in its depiction of a wife with equal standing to her husband in their relationship. Jackie Gleason himself acknowledged this, stating, "Audrey as Alice was probably the first women's libber on television. She always gave as good as she got. Many times, she had the last word."
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She was considered too attractive for the part
Audrey Meadows was initially rejected for the role of Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners because she was considered too attractive for the part. The show's creator, Jackie Gleason, thought she was too chic, young and pretty to play Alice. Meadows was persistent and determined to win the role, so she hired a photographer to take pictures of her in the early morning with no makeup, her hair undone, and wearing a torn housecoat. She submitted these photos to Gleason, who changed his mind and offered her the role.
Meadows' portrayal of Alice Kramden became iconic, and she is now considered irreplaceable in the part. She was the only member of the cast to earn residual royalties after the "Classic 39" episodes from 1955 to 1956 started airing in reruns. Her performance was so well-received that she earned four Primetime Emmy nominations for her television work, winning one for The Jackie Gleason Show. Meadows' character, Alice, was also groundbreaking for her time, as she was described by Gleason as "probably the first women's libber on television". Alice's strong personality and ability to stand up for herself made her a unique female character on television in the 1950s.
Meadows' experience with The Honeymooners demonstrates the importance of persistence and believing in oneself. Despite initial rejection, she persevered and ultimately succeeded in winning the role that would define her career. Her story serves as an inspiration to anyone facing obstacles in pursuing their goals.
Audrey Meadows passed away in 1996 at the age of 73, but her legacy as Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners continues to be celebrated by fans of the show.
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Meadows was persistent and convinced Jackie Gleason to give her a chance
Audrey Meadows was persistent and convinced Jackie Gleason to give her a chance to play Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners. Meadows was initially rejected for the role for being too "chic" and "pretty" to play Alice. However, she was determined to win the role and took matters into her own hands. She hired a photographer to take pictures of her in the early morning with no makeup, unkempt hair, and clad in a torn housecoat. She submitted these photos to Gleason, who changed his mind and offered her the role.
Meadows had previously worked in the 1951 Broadway musical Top Banana and on the Bob & Ray television show. She was also known for her work as a singer with her sister, Jayne, and had auditioned for the role while they were regulars on TV's Bob and Ray Show. Despite Gleason's initial concerns about her appearance, Meadows was able to convince him that she could portray the character of Alice convincingly.
The character of Alice became strongly associated with Meadows, and she reprised her role in various specials and sketches, including man-on-the-street interviews for The Steve Allen Show and a parody sketch on The Jack Benny Program. Meadows's portrayal of Alice was so iconic that she became the only member of the Honeymooners cast to earn residual royalties for the "Classic 39" episodes from 1955 to 1956. Her contract, which included a clause inserted by her brother Edward, a lawyer, ensured she received payments when the episodes were re-broadcast, earning her millions of dollars.
Meadows's experience serves as a testament to the power of persistence and taking initiative. Her determination to win the role of Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners not only led to a successful acting career but also contributed to her becoming a cultural icon, beloved by fans of the show even decades later.
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She was the only cast member to earn residual royalties
Audrey Meadows, who portrayed Alice Kramden on The Honeymooners, was the only cast member to earn residual royalties from reruns of the "Classic 39" episodes from 1955 to 1956. Her brother, Edward, a lawyer, had included a clause in her contract that guaranteed her payment if the show was rebroadcast. This clause earned Meadows millions of dollars and set a precedent for actors to receive residual payments for their work.
Meadows' persistence in pursuing the role of Alice Kramden is well-documented. She was initially rejected by show creator Jackie Gleason for being too "chic" and "pretty" for the part. However, she quickly submitted a photograph of herself in "drab house clothes," which convinced Gleason to give her the role. Meadows' portrayal of Alice Kramden became iconic, 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.
In addition to her success on The Honeymooners, Meadows had a diverse career spanning various industries. She earned four Primetime Emmy nominations for her television work, winning one for The Jackie Gleason Show. She also served as the director of the First National Bank of Denver for 11 years, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Meadows was married twice, with her second husband being Robert F. Six, the president of Continental Airlines. She was also an advisory director of the airline from 1961 to 1981, actively contributing to marketing programs and design decisions. In 1994, she published her memoirs, titled "Love, Alice: My Life As A Honeymooner," reflecting on her time as a beloved television star.
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She reprised her role as Alice on other shows
Audrey Meadows reprised her role as Alice Kramden, the deadpan housewife, on several shows other than The Honeymooners. She played the character on The Steve Allen Show, in a man-on-the-street interview format. Allen was her brother-in-law. Meadows also played Alice in a parody sketch on The Jack Benny Program.
Before landing the role of Alice Kramden on The Honeymooners, Meadows had starred in a few stage productions, gained popularity in radio, appeared in several 1940s films, and was a guest on a few TV series. However, her role on The Honeymooners brought her newfound fame and made her a rich woman. She earned around $1,000 per episode, which amounted to a substantial sum given there were around 39 episodes.
Meadows 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, resulting in millions of dollars in earnings.
Meadows also appeared in a 1960 episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, titled "Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's Coat". She went on to appear in feature films and on Dean Martin's television variety shows and celebrity roasts. She also made an appearance in an episode of Murder, She Wrote, titled "If the Frame Fits".
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Frequently asked questions
Audrey Meadows was not replaced on The Honeymooners. She played the character of Alice Kramden on the show. Meadows was the only member of the cast to earn residual royalties after the "Classic 39" episodes of the show from 1955 to 1956 started airing in reruns.
Before Audrey Meadows, the character of Alice Kramden was played by Pert Kelton.
Pert Kelton, who played Alice Kramden, was blacklisted and replaced by Beulah actress Ginger Jones. However, Jones was also blacklisted by CBS, leading to the need for another replacement.
Audrey Meadows was determined to win the role of Alice Kramden. She posed in a photograph in drab house clothes to convince the show creator, Jackie Gleason, that she could look like a "dowdy, harassed housewife".
