Palmer, Betsy 1926–

PERSONAL

Original name, Patricia Betsy Hrunek; born November 1, 1926, in East Chicago, IN; daughter of Vincent R. and Marie (maiden name, Love) Hrunek; married Vincent J. Merendino (a pediatrician), May 8, 1954(divorced, 1971); children: Melissa. Education:Attended Indiana University—Bloomington; De Paul University, B.A., 1949; studied at Actors Studio, New York City, Neighborhood Playhouse, and with Uta Hagen T HB Studio. A vocational Interests:Vegetarian cooking, travel, pets.

Career: Actress. Volunteer with Straight House (drug rehabilitation center), KCET–TV public television, Los Angeles, Mothers of AIDS Patients, and numerous other AIDS organizations. Once worked as business secretary and a chauffeur.

Awards, Honors: Special Career Award (with Bryan Norton), Fantasporto, 2001, International Horror Guild Award (with Norton), best film, 2005, and Special Award, best actress, New York Vision Fest, 2006, all for Penny Dreadful;Care and Compassion Award, Visiting Nurses Association; American Spirit Award, Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars; named woman of the year, WISE Senior Services.

CREDITS

Television Appearances; Series:

Miss Susan(also known as Martinsville, U.S.A.), 1951.

Cohost, Wheel of Fortune,CBS, 1952.

Assistant, I'll Buy That,1953.

Panelist, Masquerade Party,ABC, then NBC, 1956–57.

Panelist, What's It For?,NBC, 1957–58.

Panelist, I've Got a Secret,CBS, 1957–67.

Today girl, Today(also known as NBC News Todayand The Today Show), NBC, 1958–59.

Panelist, Password(also known as Password All–Stars), between 1962 and 1964.

Host, Girl Talk,syndicated, 1969–70.

Cohost, Candid Camera,syndicated, 1977–79.

Maureen Galloway, Number 96,NBC, 1980–81.

Suzanne Becker, As the World Turns,CBS, 1982.

Virginia "Aunt Ginny" Bullock, Knots Landing,CBS, 1989–90.

Also appeared as a host, Wifeline.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Ellie Fineman, Isabel's Choice,CBS, 1981.

Hera, Goddess of Love,NBC, 1988.

Martha Lamarr, Columbo: Death Hits the Jackpot(also known as Death Hits the Jackpot), ABC, 1991.

Aunt Mildred, Still Not Quite Human(also known as Not Quite Human III), The Disney Channel, 1992.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Nancy, "A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer," Hallmark Hall of Fame(also known as Hallmark Television Playhouse), 1968.

Today at 35, NBC, 1987.

Television: The First 50 Years,PBS, 2001.

Robert Reed: Unfinished Business,Arts & Entertainment, 2001.

Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star,TCM, 2002.

Super Secret Movie Rules: Slashers(also known as SSMR: Slashers), VH1, 2004.

Living Famously: James Dean,ABC (Australia), 2006.

Behind the Scenes Preview of"Bell Witch: The Movie",2008.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

Mrs. Hart Brisbane, Windmills of the Gods(miniseries; also known as Sidney Sheldon's"Windmills of the Gods"), CBS, 1988.

The 100 Scariest Movie Moments,Bravo, 2004.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Virginia, "Marty," The Philco Television Playhouse(also known as Arena Theatre, The Philco–Goodyear Television Playhouse,and Repertory Theatre), NBC, 1953.

"Sentence of Death," Studio One(also known as Studio One Summer Theatre, Studio One in Hollywood, Summer Theatre, Westinghouse Studio One,and Westinghouse Summer Theatre), 1953.

"Look Homeward, Hayseed," Studio One(also known as Studio One Summer Theatre, Studio One in Hollywood, Summer Theatre, Westinghouse Studio One,and Westinghouse Summer Theatre), 1953.

"The Glorification of Al Toolum," The Philco Television Playhouse(also known as Arena Theatre, The Philco–Goodyear Television Playhouse,and Repertory Theatre), NBC, 1953.

"Death Is My Neighbor," Danger,1953.

"Too Little a Kiss," Campbell Playhouse(also known as Campbell Soundstageand Campbell Summer Soundstage), 1953.

"A Story to Whisper," Armstrong Circle Theatre,1953.

Maureen Drew, "The Role of a Lover," Studio One(also known as Studio One Summer Theatre, Studio One in Hollywood, Summer Theatre, Westinghouse Studio One,and Westinghouse Summer Theatre), 1954.

"Papa Is All," The United States Steel Hour(also known as The U.S. Steel Hour), ABC, 1954.

Sue Swales, "Haven's End," The United States Steel Hour(also known as The U.S. Steel Hour), ABC, 1954.

Mimi, "A Guest at the Embassy," Studio One(also known as Studio One Summer Theatre, Studio One in Hollywood, Summer Theatre, Westinghouse Studio One,and Westinghouse Summer Theatre), 1954.

"Dear Harriet Heart–Throb," Goodyear Television Playhouse(also known as Goodyear Playhouse), 1954.

"Recoil," Goodyear Television Playhouse(also known as Goodyear Playhouse), 1954.

Karen, "Dark of the Night," Inner Sanctum,1954.

"The Bait," The Web,1954.

"Captive City," Lux Video Theatre(also known as Summer Video Theatre), 1954.

Janice Gans, "The Ghost Writer," The Philco Television Playhouse(also known as Arena Theatre, The Philco–Goodyear Television Playhouse,and Repertory Theatre), NBC, 1955.

Naomi, "The Meanest Man in the World," The United States Steel Hour(also known as The U.S. Steel Hour), ABC, 1955.

"The Prizewinner," Goodyear Television Playhouse(also known as Goodyear Playhouse), 1955.

"The Secret of Juan Valdez," Appointment with Adventure,1955.

"The Strange War of Sergeant Krezner," Armstrong Circle Theatre,1955.

Toast of the Town(also known as The Ed Sullivan Show), multiple appearances, between 1955 and 1965.

"The Starlet," The Philco Television Playhouse(also known as Arena Theatre, The Philco–Goodyear Television Playhouse,and Repertory Theatre), NBC, 1956.

"Career Girl," Goodyear Television Playhouse(also known as Goodyear Playhouse), 1956.

Edith Olmstead, "Goodbye Piccadilly," Studio One(also known as Studio One Summer Theatre, Studio One in Hollywood, Summer Theatre, Westinghouse Studio One,and Westinghouse Summer Theatre), 1956.

Emily, "Strange Suspicion," Front Row Center,1956.

Ann Davis, "In Summer Promise," General Electric Theatre(also known as G.E. Theatreand G.E. True Theatre), 1956.

"The Girls Who Saw Too Much," Kraft Television Theatre(also known as Kraft Mystery Theatreand Kraft Theatre), 1956.

Elizabeth, "Burst of Violence," Climax!(also known as Climax Mystery Theatre), 1956.

Fran Coates, "Stain of Honor," Climax!(also known as Climax Mystery Theatre), 1957.

Connie Rankin Hill, "A Matter of Life and Death," Climax!(also known as Climax Mystery Theatre), 1957.

"All Those Beautiful Girls," Kraft Television Theatre(also known as Kraft Mystery Theatreand Kraft Theatre), 1957.

"The Category Is Murder," Kraft Television Theatre(also known as Kraft Mystery Theatreand Kraft Theatre), 1957.

Ann Fenn, "Protege," The Alcoa Hour,1957.

"Rumblin' Galleries," Goodyear Television Playhouse(also known as Goodyear Playhouse), 1957.

Ann Meade, "Mutiny on the Shark: Parts 1 & 2," Studio One(also known as Studio One Summer Theatre, Studio One in Hollywood, Summer Theatre, Westinghouse Studio One, and Westinghouse Summer Theatre), 1957.

To Tell the Truth, 1957, 1965.

Anne Gaines, "Give Me My Son," The United States Steel Hour (also known as The U.S. Steel Hour), CBS, 1958.

"Climate of Marriage," The United States Steel Hour (also known as The U.S. Steel Hour), CBS, 1958.

Honoria McCord, "The Enemies," The United States Steel Hour (also known as The U.S. Steel Hour), CBS, 1958.

Emmy Verdon, "No Time at All," Playhouse 90, 1958.

Kitty Duval, "The Time of Your Life," Playhouse 90, 1958.

Mrs. Lizzie Newberry, "The Wayward Widow," The United States Steel Hour (also known as The U.S. Steel Hour), CBS, 1959.

"The Practical Dreamer," Sunday Showcase (also known as Breck Sunday Showcase and NBC Sunday Showcase), NBC, 1959.

"Game of Hearts," The United States Steel Hour (also known as The U.S. Steel Hour), CBS, 1960.

"Shame the Devil," The United States Steel Hour (also known as The U.S. Steel Hour), CBS, 1960.

What's My Line?, 1960, 1961.

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, NBC, 1966.

The Joey Bishop Show, 1967.

The Mike Douglas Show, 1967.

Snap Judgment, 1967.

Personality, 1968.

Barbara Kreitman, "Love and the Ghost," Love, American Style, 1972.

"Great 5K Star Race and Boulder Wrap Party: Parts 1 & 2," CHiPs (also known as CHiPs Patrol), NBC, 1980.

Millicent Holton, "She Brought Her Mother Along," The Love Boat, 1982.

Virginia Sullivan, "Maggie the Poet," Maggie, 1982.

Anne Armstrong, "Vengeance Is Mine," T. J. Hooker, 1983.

"Super Teens," Family Feud (also known as The Best of Family Feud and Family Fortune), 1984.

Lila Norris, "Sticks and Stones," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1985.

Gloria, "The Egg and Us," Charles in Charge, syndicated, 1987.

Gayle, "Me and My Gayle," Newhart, 1987.

Valerie, "Something Borrowed, Something Blue," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1989.

Rhonda, "The Walk," Just Shoot Me!, NBC, 1998.

Sweet old lady, "A Night to Remember," Hang Time, NBC, 2000.

Betty, "Subject: Sunrise at Sunset Streams," Freaky Links, Fox, 2001.

"Jack Lemmon," The Hollywood Greats (also known as Hollywood Greats), BBC1, 2006.

Appeared in episodes of A.M. America, Blacke's Magic, Hollywood Screen Test, Matinee Theatre, and Out of This World.

Television Appearances; Other:

Tina Adams, The Ballad of Louie the Louse, 1959.

Madge Miller, Deep Dish TV (pilot), Showtime, 1990.

Film Appearances:

Kitty Carter, The Long Grey Line, Columbia, 1955.

Lieutenant Ann Girard, Mister Roberts, Warner Bros., 1955.

Carol Lee Phillips, Queen Bee, Columbia, 1955.

Nona Mayfield, The Tin Star, Paramount, 1957.

Phyllis Carter/Lynn Stuart, The True Story of Lynn Stuart, Columbia, 1958.

Anne Thrasher, The Last Angry Man, Columbia, 1959.

Panelist, It Happened to Jane (also known as Jane from Maine and Twinkle and Shine), Columbia, 1959.

Ms. Pamela Voorhees, Friday the 13th, Paramount, 1980.

Mrs. Voorhees, Friday the 13th, Part II, Paramount, 1981.

Mrs. Voorhees (in archive footage), Friday the 13th, Part III (also known as Friday the 13th, Part 3: 3D), Paramount, 1982.

Mrs. Voorhees (in archive footage), Friday the 13th— The Final Chapter (also known as Friday the 13th, Part IV), Paramount, 1984.

Eva, Unveiled, FoxVideo, 1994.

Mams, The Fear: Resurrection (also known as The Fear: Halloween Night), A–Pix Entertainment, 1998.

(In archive footage) James Dean: Forever Young, Warner Home Video, 2005.

Trudie Tredwell, Penny Dreadful, 2005, Cinema Image, 2007.

Anna Rhoades, Waltzing Anna, Kindred Media Group, 2006.

Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (documentary), ThinkFilm, 2007.

Bell witch, Bell Witch: The Movie, Digital Films Distribution, 2007.

Stage Appearances:

(New York debut) Kate Wilson, The Grand Prize, Plymouth Theatre, New York City, 1955.

Sally Mackenzie, Affair of Honor, Ethel Barrymore Theatre, New York City, 1956.

Lady Dungavel, Roar like a Dove, Booth Theatre, New York City, 1964.

Nellie Forbush, South Pacific (musical), City Center Theatre, New York City, 1965.

Stephanie, Cactus Flower, Royale Theatre, New York City, 1967.

Nora, A Doll's House, Theatre Venture '73, Beverly, MA, 1973.

Dark at the Top of the Stairs, Ivanhoe Theatre, Chicago, IL, 1974.

Gala Tribute to Josh Logan, Imperial Theatre, New York City, 1975.

Nora, A Doll's House, Studio Arena Theatre, Buffalo, NY, 1975.

Alma Winemiller, The Eccentricities of a Nightingale, Studio Arena Theatre, then Morosco Theatre, New York City, 1976.

Doris, Same Time Next Year, Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City, 1977.

Title role, Countess Dracula, Studio Arena Theatre, 1978–79.

The Shadow Box, Charles Playhouse, Boston, MA, 1979.

Melissa Gardner, Love Letters, Cape Playhouse, Dennis, MA, 1990.

Claude, Idioglossia, George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick, NJ, 1992–93.

Made stage debut in summer stock at Lake Geneva, WI, 1950.

Major Tours:

Lorelei Lee, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, U.S. cities, 1962.

Title role, Maggie, 1963.

Nellie Forbush, South Pacific (musical), 1963.

Anna, The King and I (musical), 1963.

Wait until Dark, 1979.

Life with Father, 1984–85.

Gigi, 1984–85.

Melissa Gardner, Love Letters, 1991–92.

RECORDINGS

Videos:

Return to Crystal Lake: Making "Friday the 13th," Warner Home Video, 2003.

(In archive footage) Candid Camera: 5 Decades of Smiles, 2005.

Texas Frightmare Weekend 2006, Triple C Productions, 2006.

Betsy Palmer: A Scream Queen Legend, Digital Films Distribution, 2006.

Building the Bad House: Making "Penny Dreadful," Cinema Image, 2007.

OTHER SOURCES

Videos:

Betsy Palmer: A Scream Queen Legend, Digital Films Distribution, 2006.