Betty Garrett (May , â€" February , ) was an American actress,
comedian, singer and dancer. She originally performed on Broadway, and
was then signed to a film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She
appeared in several musical films, then returned to Broadway and made
guest appearances on several television series.Garrett later became
known for the roles she played in two prominent s sitcoms: Archie
Bunker's politically-liberal neighbor Irene Lorenzo in All in the
Family and landlady Edna Babish in Laverne & Shirley. In later years,
she appeared in television series such as The Golden Girls, Grey's
Anatomy, Boston Public and Becker as well as in several Broadway plays
and revivals.Garrett was born in Saint Joseph, Missouri, the daughter
of Elizabeth Octavia (née Stone) and Curtis Garrett. Shortly after
her birth, her parents relocated to Seattle, Washington, where her
mother managed the sheet music department at Sherman Clay, and her
father worked as a traveling salesman. His alcoholism and fiscal
irresponsibility eventually led to their divorce, and Garrett and her
mother lived in a series of residential hotels in order to minimize
expenses.When Garrett was eight years old, her mother married the
fiancé she had jilted in order to marry Curtis. They settled in
Regina, Saskatchewan, where her new stepfather worked in the
meat-packing industry. A year later. her mother discovered that her
new husband was involved in a sexual relationship with his male
assistant, so she and Betty returned to Seattle. After graduating
from public grammar school, Garrett enrolled at the Annie Wright
School in Tacoma, which she attended on a full scholarship. The school
had no drama department, so she frequently organized musical
productions and plays for special occasions. Following her senior year
performance in Twelfth Night, the bishop urged her to pursue a career
on the stage. At the same time, her mother's friend arranged an
interview with Martha Graham, who was in Seattle for a concert tour,
and the dancer recommended her for a scholarship at the Neighborhood
Playhouse in New York City.
comedian, singer and dancer. She originally performed on Broadway, and
was then signed to a film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She
appeared in several musical films, then returned to Broadway and made
guest appearances on several television series.Garrett later became
known for the roles she played in two prominent s sitcoms: Archie
Bunker's politically-liberal neighbor Irene Lorenzo in All in the
Family and landlady Edna Babish in Laverne & Shirley. In later years,
she appeared in television series such as The Golden Girls, Grey's
Anatomy, Boston Public and Becker as well as in several Broadway plays
and revivals.Garrett was born in Saint Joseph, Missouri, the daughter
of Elizabeth Octavia (née Stone) and Curtis Garrett. Shortly after
her birth, her parents relocated to Seattle, Washington, where her
mother managed the sheet music department at Sherman Clay, and her
father worked as a traveling salesman. His alcoholism and fiscal
irresponsibility eventually led to their divorce, and Garrett and her
mother lived in a series of residential hotels in order to minimize
expenses.When Garrett was eight years old, her mother married the
fiancé she had jilted in order to marry Curtis. They settled in
Regina, Saskatchewan, where her new stepfather worked in the
meat-packing industry. A year later. her mother discovered that her
new husband was involved in a sexual relationship with his male
assistant, so she and Betty returned to Seattle. After graduating
from public grammar school, Garrett enrolled at the Annie Wright
School in Tacoma, which she attended on a full scholarship. The school
had no drama department, so she frequently organized musical
productions and plays for special occasions. Following her senior year
performance in Twelfth Night, the bishop urged her to pursue a career
on the stage. At the same time, her mother's friend arranged an
interview with Martha Graham, who was in Seattle for a concert tour,
and the dancer recommended her for a scholarship at the Neighborhood
Playhouse in New York City.
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