- Source: Merie Earle
Merie Earle (born Goldie Merie Ireland; May 13, 1889 – November 4, 1984) was an American actress. She was best known for playing Maude Gormley on the television series The Waltons (1972–1979).
Early years
After Earle's father retired, her parents relocated to La Crescenta, California, to be closer to their daughter. She was discovered by an agent while performing in a play at a Methodist church.
Career
Beginning her professional career late in life, Earle's first jobs included ads for Polaroid.
In 1967 she made her feature film debut in Fitzwilly starring Dick Van Dyke. Her screen credits included Gaily, Gaily (1969); In Name Only; Dr. Max (1974); Crazy Mama (1975); Fatso (1980); and Going Ape (1981). She was a regular on the TV series The Jerry Reed When You're Hot You're Hot Hour in 1972 and The Waltons from 1972 to 1979 as Maude Gormley. Earle also appeared in the made-for-TV movie The Last of the Good Guys in 1978.
Scheduled to make her Broadway debut, at age 88, in a revival of Paul Zindel's Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds in 1978, Earle suffered a fractured hip during the show's initial run in La Jolla, California and withdrew from the production prior to its New York premiere. She guest starred on many notable television series including Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, The Beverly Hillbillies, Bewitched, Night Gallery, The Bob Newhart Show, All in the Family, Alice, Phyllis and Whiz Kids.
In her eighties, she was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Death
Earle died aged 95 on November 4, 1984, in Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale, California, of uremia poisoning following surgery for colon cancer, having outlived both her husband and her daughter.
She was interred at Green Lawn Cemetery in her home town of Columbus, Ohio.
Filmography
= Film
=Fitzwilly (1967) - Elderly Shoplifter (uncredited)
Gaily, Gaily (1969) - Granny
Norwood (1970) - Grandma Whichcoat
Clay Pigeon (1971)
Summer School Teachers (1975) - Ethel
Crazy Mama (1975) - Bertha
Almost Summer (1978)
Fatso (1980) - Mrs. Maluch
Going Ape! (1981) - Binocular Lady
Likely Stories, Vol. 3 (1983) - Miss Greg (final film role)
= Television
=References
Bibliography
Wilson, Scott; Mank, Gregory W. (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co. ISBN 9780786479924.
External links
Merie Earle at IMDb
Merie Earle at Find a Grave