Betty Garrett
Betty Garrett (May 23, 1919 - February 12, 2011) was an American actress, comedian, singer and dancer, who starred in several Hollywood musicals and stage roles. She was at the top of her game when the Communist scare in the 1950s brought her career to a screeching, ugly halt. She and her husband Larry Parks, an Oscar-nominated actor, were summoned by the House UnAmerican Activities Committee and questioned about their involvement. As the drama played out, a very pregnant Garrett was never called to testify, but her husband was. With his admission of Communist Party membership from 1941-1945 and refusal to name names, he made it to the Hollywood Blacklist. After the incident, Garrett and Parks worked up nightclub singing/comedy acts along with appearing in legit plays. Although Parks never quite shook off the blacklist incident, he did win a role in John Huston's film, Freud (1962). Garrett went on to appear in roles in many television series.
Filmography (43 titles)
7.8MovieCarol Channing: Larger Than Life
Self · 2012
Troupers
2011
6.0MovieHollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and Singing
(archive footage) · 2009
5.9MovieDark and Stormy Night
Mrs. Hausenstout · 2009
MovieHollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1920s: The Dawn of the Hollywood Musical
Self · 2008
5.0MovieTrail of the Screaming Forehead
Mrs. Cuttle · 2007
8.2ShowGrey's Anatomy
Eleanor · 2005
7.0MovieBroadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Self · 2003
7.8MovieGene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer
Self · 2002
7.6ShowBoston Public
Miriam Guber · 2000
MovieFrank Sinatra Memorial
Self · 2000
7.2ShowBecker
Mrs. Firth · 1998
6.4MovieThe Long Way Home
Veronica · 1998
8.5ShowUnion Square
Agnes · 1997
7.5MovieJack Lemmon: America's Everyman
Self · 1996
6.5ShowTownies
1996
7.0MovieThat's Entertainment! III
(archive footage) · 1994
10.0ShowThe Good Life
Phyllis · 1994
6.8ShowBlacke's Magic
1986
7.6ShowThe Golden Girls
Sarah · 1985
6.9MovieThat's Dancing!
Ruth Sherwood (archive footage) · 1985
7.5ShowMurder, She Wrote
Kit Parkins · 1984
7.0MovieAll the Way Home
Catherine · 1981
5.5ShowMr. Merlin
1981
6.3ShowThe Love Boat
Martha McCoy · 1977
7.1ShowLaverne & Shirley
Edna Babish · 1976
7.0ShowDinah!
Self · 1974
7.4MovieThat's Entertainment!
(archive footage) (uncredited) · 1974
7.3MovieHollywood: The Dream Factory
Self (archive footage) · 1972
6.1ShowGreat Performances
Mary Hallen · 1971