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Madge Blake started acting at 46
She was Aunt Harriet and Mrs. Mondello AND Flora MacMichael!
Maybe you recognize her as Margaret Mondello, Lumpy's doting mother on Leave It to Beaver. Or, perhaps to you, she's Aunt Harriet, Dick Grayson's devoted aunt who's none the wiser regarding his secret identity as Robin on Batman. The point is, either way, you recognize her. Madge Blake made a big splash in show business, and she did it all in a short amount of time.
That is her real name by the way. Other actors would kill for a strong name like Madge Blake, but to her, it just came naturally. Luckily for fans of classic television, there was a lot that came naturally to Ms. Blake, including her skills as an actor.
However, it was a calling that she only approached late in life, but the cards were stacked against her dreams. Despite her desire for the dramatic arts, Madge's upbringing forbade it. Her father was a circuit-riding Methodist preacher who ran a super-strict household.
"My father was a true hell-bent-for-the-Lord type of a man who would tolerate no smoking, lipstick, late hours, or dramatics," she told McClatchy Newspaper Services in 1961.
Blake's life changed during World War II. Her sons were out of the house and overseas, and she suddenly had a ton of free time. She began working at Cal-Tech in the chemistry department. Despite her lack of education in chemistry, Blake was a huge benefit to the institution and was later formally recognized for her efforts during the war.
Less recognized, though, were her burgeoning talents as an actress. Not even chemistry could fill her free time, so Blake began acting in local theatrical productions. She credits Katherine Hepburn as "aiding and abetting" her acting career.
She didn't just find a hobby later in life; she found an incredibly successful new life as an actress. What was it like becoming a star after her first movie role at 46?
"I just love it," said Blake. "I am glad I had smaller roles and a chance to develop character parts. And, of course, the pride of my world is not the acting profession but my four delightful grandchildren in Southern California."
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17 Comments
MeTV should do a Best Of Larry clip with some of the episodes he was featured in.
I also liked her on The Jack Benny Program as the obsessed Jack Benny Fan Club president & as the mom of Joey on The Joey Bishop Show. No matter what show she appeared on, she was in all essence the same character! 😄😄😄
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Enjoyed watching Madge Blake as " Larry's doting mother on "Leave It to Beaver." She was great as
Aunt Harriet on Batman as well. There were other actors for w/e reason(s), made their entry into the entertainment industry, later on in years and made memorable roles on different series.
