Also mother of Stephen Bell.
Although some think that she was nominated for a Tony Award for "The Music Man" on Broadway, she was not. She was, however, actually nominated for two Tonys: in 1960, as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) for Greenwillow;" and in 1968, as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Dramatic) for "Spofford." The confusion about "The Music Man" may stem from the "Greenwillow" nomination.
Blacklisted for many years by McCarthyism.
Co-starred as Agnes on NBC Radio's "The Magnificent Montague" (1950-1951).
For many years portrayed a comical cleaning woman in a series of Spic 'n' Span TV commercials.
For years up to her death she and her family lived in the Township of Washington in Bergen County, New Jersey.
Lost the role of Alice Kramden on The Honeymooners due to blacklisting of her husband Ralph Bell, which by association affected her career as well. But the reason publicly given was that her health was poor.
Most famous as Shirley Jones' mother in The Music Man (1962).
Mother of actor Brian Bell, who died in 1981.
Scored possibly her greatest professional success as "Mrs. Paroo" in the Broadway production of "The Music Man" in 1958, a role she repeated in the screen version four years later: The Music Man (1962).
The role of Alice was played later (and, with syndicated reruns, observable nowadays by a much wider audience) by Audrey Meadows and then by Sheila MacRae.
Though she created the role of Alice in the original "Honeymooners" sketches with Jackie Gleason, she returned in the late 60's to play Alice's mother.
Was also the only actress in the history of "The Honeymooners" to play both Alice Kramden on "Cavalcade of Stars" (1949) and her mother in a 1967 musical episode originally aired on "The Jackie Gleason Show" (1966).