Home : R.I.P. : "Bewitched" Star Alice Ghostley Dies at 81

R.I.P.
"Bewitched" Star Alice Ghostley Dies at 81

Posted Sep 22nd 2007 12:17PM by TMZ Staff

Alice GhostleyAlice Ghostley, who was best known for playing Esmeralda on "Bewitched" and Bernice on "Designing Women," has died at 81. Ghostley died Friday at her home in Studio City after a long battle with colon cancer and a series of strokes.

Ms. Ghostley won a Tony for best featured actress in, "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window." Ghostley's film credits include, "To Kill a Mockingbird," "The Graduate," "Gator" and "Grease."

Alice Ghostley was married to actor Felice Orlandi, who died in 2003, and is survived by her sister, Gladys.

Tags: alice ghostley, AliceGhostley

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46. As a huge "Bewitched" fan, I can't let this go: Esmeralda was not Samantha's aunt, she was her "Yoo-hoo" maid. She faded out when she got nervous or embarrassed, not because a spell went wrong. Bernard Fox, who played Dr. Bombay, is the only regular cast member still alive, besides "Tabitha" and "Adam." For more information on what Erin Murphy (Tabitha) is up to, visit http://www.starwebsites.com/erinmurphy/blog/index.htm.
Ms. Ghostley was a great lady. She will be missed.

Had to get it off my chest. Thanks.

Posted at 4:33PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by cicmd

47. Alice Ghostley was a talent actress and singer. Her roles on Bewitched and Designing Women showed her warm nature and warm heart. Another TV legend is gone. Rest in Peace Alice

Posted at 5:08PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by jeff

48. Jiggy:

You sound cool. I feel the same and I think I might be a generation younger than you (in my '30's). Maybe I'm not seeing memories die off exactly yet, but other things tend to make you feel your age as well, such as remakes of movies I saw as a kid. I'm thinking to myself, that's so stupid why are they remaking that? Then I realize it is 25-30 yrs old and they are trying to reel in a NEW generation. Scary! Just know that you're not alone in the aging process (obviously, LOL!). We are all gonna get there. Thank god for the TVLand shows and Nick at Nite's that let all generations in on the great shows that have come and gone. Maybe some of the youngsters out there will pick up a thing or two about the way television was, how it should be and hopefully will return to be after we get over the ridiculous spectacle we call reality shows. Hopefully they will get back to delivering true entertainment delivered by true entertainers like Ms. Ghostley.

Posted at 5:04PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by annie

49. To the poster who was inquiring about Tabitha: you got me curious too so I googled Erin Murphy who played her. Click on the Wikipedia link. It gives a pretty decent update on her. Tabitha was also played by her twin (as most child stars are). Her twin's name Diane Murphy.

Posted at 5:10PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by annie

50. She was great on Bewitched, but even better on Designing Women. After Delta Burke's character Suzanne was written off, everyone thought all was lost. However, Ghostley's quirky character Bernice, stepped in and saved the show for a couple of more seasons. She was incredible at her art and she will be greatly missed.

Posted at 5:16PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by snickster

51. I have to correct myself. When I googled her twin sister (Diane Murphy), came to find out she only played Tab. for one year and Erin played it the rest of the time. They were fraternal twins and started to look not so identical as they aged!

Posted at 5:18PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by annie

52. Very funny lady who'll be missed

Posted at 5:33PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by dmsr61

53. Very funny lady who'll be missed

Posted at 5:34PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by dmsr61

54. She was so funny. I used to enjoy her role going into the chemney and the smoke coming out LOL.....Always doing wrong magics LOL

Posted at 5:40PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by Milk

55. I also use to watch Bewitched it was one of my favorite shows a child. Now who was the older woman, I think she played the Grandmother. She was funny and all her "spells" would go wrong. Anyone remember her? She was old at the time. i am sure she is long gone by now. She was also very funny. Gladys always, saw things then when she told her husband it was to late she was the neighbor. I know Samantha had many relatives. Great show.

Posted at 5:43PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by Lori

56. Lori, you're thinking of Aunt Clara.

Posted at 5:48PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by Pam

57. A lot of you are some OLD people.... No disrespect, but WOW.

Posted at 5:49PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by Ricky Ticky Tock Your Daughter on My Cack

58. Berniece Clifton was the part she played on Designing Women back in the 80's. I watched her on Bewitched as a kid and on Desiginign Women as an adult. She always made me laugh. What happened to that kind of talent? Seems so rare anymore. Godspeed Alice. Thanks for the memories.

Posted at 6:06PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by Dave

59. Milk is also thinking of Aunt Clara (Marion Lorne), who often accidentally came in by way of the chimney.

Posted at 6:13PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by cicmd

60. Alice Ghostley was hilarious as Bernice on Designing Women. I can still remember the episode where she wore the Christmas tree skirt as a dress. Classic. She was a very funny lady and will be missed. Love You Alice!! RIP!

Posted at 6:13PM on Sep 22nd 2007 by Jaime TV

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