Queenie Smith (September 8, 1898 – August 5, 1978) was an American stage, television, and film actress.

Life and career

Smith was born in Texas. Her family moved from Texas to New York shortly before Smith began studying at the Metropolitan Opera's ballet school. She got an early start, being trained in ballet and dance and spent her teen years performing as a dancer with the

Metropolitan Opera Company The Metropolitan Opera (commonly known as the Met) is an American opera company based in New York City, resident at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, currently situated on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The company is opera ...

opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librett ...

s such as ''Aida'', ''La Traviata'', and ''Faust''. By the 1920s she was appearing on Broadway in shows such as ''Helen of Troy, New York'' (1923), ''Sitting Pretty'' (1924), and ''The Street Singer'' (1929), and by the mid-1930s had made her way into films. She also appeared on Broadway in ''

Tip-Toes ''Tip-Toes'' is a musical with a book by Guy Bolton and Fred Thompson, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin. It centers on a vaudeville act composed of Tip-Toes, her brother and her uncle, who try to pass her off as an aristocrat t ...

'' (1925). She costarred in the 1936

Universal Pictures Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Ameri ...

film version of

Jerome Kern Jerome David Kern (January 27, 1885 – November 11, 1945) was an American composer of musical theatre and popular music. One of the most important American theatre composers of the early 20th century, he wrote more than 700 songs, used in over ...

's ''

Show Boat ''Show Boat'' is a musical with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is based on Edna Ferber's best-selling 1926 novel of the same name. The musical follows the lives of the performers, stagehands and dock worke ...

'', playing Ellie May Chipley. Smith replaced stage actress

Eva Puck Eva Puck (November 25, 1892 – October 25, 1979) was an American entertainer, a vaudeville headliner who later found success performing in Broadway musical comedies and film. Early life She was born in New York City, the middle of three ...

who had starred as Chipley in the 1927 premiere and 1932 revival of ''Show Boat''. In 1947 she appeared in the film '' The Long Night'' and then played other character roles on film, and later, television. She was seen as Jimmy Durante's wife in ''

The Great Rupert ''The Great Rupert'' is a 1950 comedy family film starring Jimmy Durante, Tom Drake and Terry Moore, produced by George Pal and directed by Irving Pichel. It is based on a story written by Ted Allan that has also been published as a children's ...

'', and in guest shots in many television shows, including ''

The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries ''The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries'' (re-titled ''The Hardy Boys'' for season three) is an American television mystery series based on the ''Hardy Boys'' and ''Nancy Drew'' juvenile novels. The series, which ran from January 30, 1977, to Janu ...

'', ''

A.E.S. Hudson Street ''A.E.S. Hudson Street'' is an American comedy television show that aired on ABC in 1978 on Thursday night from 9:30 pm to 10:00 pm EST. Synopsis The series follows the antics of the staff of a run-down Ambulance Emergency Service hospital on H ...

'', '' Rhoda'', ''Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway'', ''

Barney Miller ''Barney Miller'' is an American sitcom television series set in a New York City Police Department police station on East 6th St in Greenwich Village. The series was broadcast on ABC Network from January 23, 1975, to May 20, 1982. It was created ...

'', ''

Mother, Jugs & Speed ''Mother, Jugs & Speed'' is a 1976 American black comedy film directed by Peter Yates. It stars Bill Cosby (Mother), Raquel Welch (Jugs), Harvey Keitel (Speed), and Larry Hagman as employees of an independent ambulance service trying to survive ...

'', ''

Chico and the Man ''Chico and the Man'' is an American sitcom television series that aired on NBC for four seasons from September 13, 1974, to July 21, 1978. It stars Jack Albertson as Ed Brown (the Man), the cantankerous owner of a run-down garage in an East Los ...

'', ''

McMillan & Wife ''McMillan & Wife'' (known simply as ''McMillan'' from 1976–77) is an American police procedural television series that aired on NBC from September 17, 1971, to April 24, 1977. Starring Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James in the title roles, the ...

'', ''

Love American Style ''Love, American Style'' is an anthology comedy television series that aired on ABC from 1969 to 1974. The series was produced by Paramount Television. During the 1971–72 and 1972–73 seasons, it was a part of ABC's Friday primetime lineup ...

'', ''

The Waltons ''The Waltons'' is an American historical drama television series about a family in rural Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II. It was created by Earl Hamner Jr., based on his 1961 book ''Spencer's Mountain'' and the 1963 film ...

'', '' Here's Lucy'', ''

The Funny Side ''The Funny Side'' is an American sketch comedy program that aired on NBC as part of its 1971 fall lineup. Synopsis ''The Funny Side'' was hosted by Gene Kelly and starred five pairs of actors and actresses who were presented as married couple ...

'', ''

Hawaii Five-O Hawaii Five-O or Hawaii Five-0 may refer to: * ''Hawaii Five-0'' (2010 TV series), an American action police procedural television series * ''Hawaii Five-O'' (1968 TV series), an American police procedural drama series produced by CBS Productio ...

'', ''

The Monkees The Monkees were an American rock and pop band, formed in Los Angeles in 1966, whose lineup consisted of the American actor/musicians Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork alongside English actor/singer Davy Jones. The group was conc ...

'', ''

The Odd Couple Odd Couple may refer to: Neil Simon play and its adaptations * ''The Odd Couple'' (play), a 1965 stage play by Neil Simon ** ''The Odd Couple'' (film), a 1968 film based on the play *** ''The Odd Couple'' (1970 TV series), a 1970–1975 televisi ...

'', ''

The Love Boat ''The Love Boat'' is an American romantic comedy/drama television series that aired on ABC from 1977 to 1986; in addition, four three-hour specials aired in 1986, 1987, and 1990. The series was set on the luxury passenger cruise ship MS ''Pac ...

'', '' Maude'' and ''

Little House on the Prairie The ''Little House on the Prairie'' books is a series of American children's novels written by Laura Ingalls Wilder (b. Laura Elizabeth Ingalls). The stories are based on her childhood and adolescence in the Midwestern United States, American M ...

'' (in a recurring role as Mrs. Whipple). Smith was a teacher and mentor to many a young actor. She taught at the Hollywood Professional School and was the director for the training program at Melodyland Theater in Anaheim, California, during the 1960s. She worked until the year of her death, her last role being Elsie in the

Chevy Chase Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase (; born October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, actor and writer. He became a key cast member in the first season of ''Saturday Night Live'', where his recurring ''Weekend Update'' segment became a staple of the ...

Goldie Hawn Goldie Jeanne Hawn (born November 21, 1945) is an American actress, dancer, producer, and singer. She rose to fame on the NBC sketch comedy program ''Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In'' (1968–1970), before going on to receive the Academy Award and Go ...

film '' Foul Play''. (1978). She died of

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

a month before her 80th birthday.

Partial filmography

*''

John Halifax, Gentleman ''John Halifax, Gentleman'' is a novel by Dinah Craik, first published in 1856. The novel was adapted for BBC Radio 4 in 1970 and on television on BBC in 1974. Plot summary The action is centred on the town of Tewkesbury, scarcely disguised b ...

'' (1915) - Minor Role (uncredited) *''

Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...

'' (1935) - Alabam *'' Special Agent K-7'' (1936) - Ollie O'Dea *''

'' (1936) - Elly May Chipley *''On Your Toes'' (1939) - Mrs. Dolan *''

From This Day Forward ''From This Day Forward'' is a 1946 American drama film directed by John Berry, starring Joan Fontaine and Mark Stevens. Plot Army sergeant Bill Cummings ( Mark Stevens) is about to be discharged after service in World War II. He was a blue co ...

'' (1946) - Mrs. Beesley *''

The Killers The Killers are an American rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingd ...

'' (1946) - Mary Ellen 'Queenie' Daugherty (uncredited) *''

Nocturne A nocturne is a musical composition that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night. History The term ''nocturne'' (from French '' nocturne'' 'of the night') was first applied to musical pieces in the 18th century, when it indicated an ensembl ...

'' (1946) - Queenie *'' The Long Night'' (1947) - Mrs. Tully *''

Sleep, My Love ''Sleep, My Love'' is a 1948 American noir film directed by Douglas Sirk. It features Claudette Colbert, Robert Cummings and Don Ameche. Plot Alison Courtland, a wealthy New Yorker, hasn't a clue how she ended up on a train bound for Boston. Wh ...

'' (1948) - Mrs. Grace Vernay *''

The Snake Pit ''The Snake Pit'' is a 1948 American psychological drama film directed by Anatole Litvak and starring Olivia de Havilland, Mark Stevens, Leo Genn, Celeste Holm, Beulah Bondi, and Lee Patrick. Based on Mary Jane Ward's 1946 semi-autobiographi ...

'' (1948) - Lola *''

Massacre River The Massacre River is a river on the Caribbean island of Dominica. Naming The town of Massacre, Dominica, which runs along the river, was named by the French after a massacre of Caribs carried out by the English that occurred in the area in 1 ...

'' (1949) - Mrs. Johanssen *''

'' (1950) - Mrs. Amendola *'' Caged'' (1950) - Mrs. Warren - Marie's Mother (uncredited) *''

Union Station A union station (also known as a union terminal, a joint station in Europe, and a joint-use station in Japan) is a railway station at which the tracks and facilities are shared by two or more separate railway companies, allowing passengers to ...

'' (1950) - Landlady (uncredited) *''

Prisoners in Petticoats ''Prisoners in Petticoats'' is a 1950 American crime film directed by Philip Ford and written by Bradbury Foote. The film stars Valentine Perkins, Robert Rockwell, Danni Sue Nolan, Anthony Caruso, Tony Barrett, and David Wolfe. The film was ...

'' (1950) - Beatrice *''

Emergency Wedding ''Emergency Wedding'' (titled ''Jealousy'' in the UK) is a 1950 American comedy film directed by Edward Buzzell and starring Larry Parks, Barbara Hale and Willard Parker. It is a remake of '' You Belong to Me'', a film in which Parks appeared in ...

'' (1950) - Rose - Reno Hotel Maid (uncredited) *'' Belle Le Grand'' (1951) - Anna (uncredited) *''

The First Legion ''The First Legion'' is a 1951 American drama film directed by Douglas Sirk and written by Emmet Lavery. The film stars Charles Boyer, William Demarest, Lyle Bettger, Walter Hampden, Barbara Rush, Wesley Addy, H. B. Warner and Leo G. Carroll. ...

'' (1951) - Henrietta *''

When Worlds Collide ''When Worlds Collide'' is a 1933 science fiction novel co-written by Edwin Balmer and Philip Wylie; they also co-authored the sequel ''After Worlds Collide'' (1934). It was first published as a six-part monthly serial (September 1932 through Fe ...

'' (1951) - Matron with Cigarette (uncredited) *'' The Greatest Show on Earth'' (1952) - Spectator (uncredited) *''

My Sister Eileen ''My Sister Eileen'' is a series of autobiographical short stories by Ruth McKenney, originally published in ''The New Yorker'', which eventually inspired many other works: her 1938 book ''My Sister Eileen'', a play, a musical, a radio play (a ...

'' (1955) - Alice - Baker's Secretary (uncredited) *''

Fighting Trouble ''Fighting Trouble'' is a 1956 American comedy film directed by George Blair and starring The Bowery Boys. It was released on September 16, 1956, by Allied Artists. The 42nd film in the Bowery Boys series, it was the first to feature Stanley Cle ...

'' (1956) - Miss Kate Kelly *''

You Can't Run Away from It ''You Can't Run Away from It'' is a 1956 musical comedy directed and produced by Dick Powell and starring June Allyson and Jack Lemmon. The film is a remake of the 1934 Academy Award-winning film ''It Happened One Night''. The supporting cast ...

'' (1956) - Elderly Lady *'' Hot Shots'' (1956) - Mrs. Kate Kelly *''

Hold That Hypnotist ''Hold That Hypnotist'' is a 1957 American comedy film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on March 10, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-fourth film in the series. Plot The Bowery Boys' landlady Mrs. Kelly b ...

'' (1957) - Kate Kelly *''

Sweet Smell of Success ''Sweet Smell of Success'' is a 1957 American film noir drama film directed by Alexander Mackendrick, starring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Susan Harrison, and Martin Milner, and written by Clifford Odets, Ernest Lehman, and Mackendrick from t ...

'' (1957) - Mildred Tam (uncredited) *''

The Legend of Lylah Clare ''The Legend of Lylah Clare'' is a 1968 American drama film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and directed by Robert Aldrich. The film stars Peter Finch, Kim Novak (in multiple roles), Ernest Borgnine, Michael Murphy, and Valentina Cortese. The fi ...

'' (1968) - Hairdresser *''

The Day of the Locust ''The Day of the Locust'' is a 1939 novel by American author Nathanael West set in Hollywood, California. The novel follows a young artist from the Yale School of Fine Arts named Tod Hackett, who has been hired by a Hollywood studio to do scene ...

'' (1975) - Palsied Lady *'' Hustle'' (1975) - Customer #1 *''

'' (1976) - (uncredited) *''

Invisible Strangler ''Invisible Strangler'' is a 1984 American horror film directed by John Florea, an alternate cut of the 1978 film ''The Astral Factor'', also known as ''The Astral Fiend'', starring Robert Foxworth, Stefanie Powers, Cesare Danova, Sue Lyon and ...

'' (1978) - Darlene's Landlady *''

The End The End may refer to: Films * ''The End'' (1953 film), a film by Christopher Maclaine * ''The End'' (1978 film), a comedy by Burt Reynolds * ''The End'' (1997 film), a Canadian film of 1997 * ''The End'' (1998 film), a skateboarding document ...

'' (1978) - Old Lady in Car *'' Foul Play'' (1978) - Elsie (final film role)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Queenie 1898 births 1978 deaths American stage actresses American television actresses American film actresses 20th-century American actresses Actresses from New York City Deaths from cancer in California