Bea Benaderet (April 4, 1906 – October 13, 1968) was a legendary American actress and a true pioneer of broadcasting, a beloved voice of radio’s Golden Age who became one of the most recognizable and cherished character actresses in early television.
Before her face was famous, her voice was everywhere. She was a staple of classic radio and was the original voice of Granny in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoons and the sweet-natured Betty Rubble for the first four seasons of The Flintstones. On television, she became a household name as Blanche Morton, the perpetually exasperated best friend and neighbor to Gracie Allen on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show.
She later had a memorable recurring role as Cousin Pearl Bodine on The Beverly Hillbillies. The show’s creator, Paul Henning, then created the sitcom Petticoat Junction specifically for her. As the warm, matriarchal hotel owner Kate Bradley, she finally became the top-billed star. Bea Benaderet played the role until her death from cancer in 1968, cementing her legacy as one of television’s greatest and most versatile performers.
