Dorothy Van (January , - May , ) was an American stage and TV actress
who is best remembered for her comedic role as Aunt Effie Harper on
the s situation comedy Mama's Family.She was born Dorothy Helene
Vanberryl in Moline, Illinois, to Elmer J. Vanberryl, a German post
office worker, and Emeline Franks Vanberryl. As a child she spent
considerable time watching the movies of the day. Her favorite
actresses during this time were Irene Dunne, Loretta Young, and Bette
Davis; and she remembered having a girlhood crush on Joel McCrea. She
also enjoyed reading, writing, and painting. She was a devout
Methodist, active in the church Sunday School at Christ United
Methodist Church. Her father had suggested that upon completing high
school, Dorothy should enroll in secretarial school, find a husband,
and settle down. However, upon her graduation she pursued a stage
career. Because her father did not approve of this decision she acted
under the name "Dorothy Van" to avoid family embarrassment.When she
arrived to Broadway she began as a chorus girl in musicals. She often
appeared in uncredited roles in such plays as The Skin of Our Teeth,
All My Sons, The Maids, The Heiress, The Shifting Heart, and The
Mousetrap. After years of stage work she made her movie debut playing
an army nurse in Loose Shoes. Later in the decade she landed a
recurring role as Aunt Effie to Vicki Lawrence's character of Thelma
Harper on Mama's Family; she appeared in seven episodes between and .
who is best remembered for her comedic role as Aunt Effie Harper on
the s situation comedy Mama's Family.She was born Dorothy Helene
Vanberryl in Moline, Illinois, to Elmer J. Vanberryl, a German post
office worker, and Emeline Franks Vanberryl. As a child she spent
considerable time watching the movies of the day. Her favorite
actresses during this time were Irene Dunne, Loretta Young, and Bette
Davis; and she remembered having a girlhood crush on Joel McCrea. She
also enjoyed reading, writing, and painting. She was a devout
Methodist, active in the church Sunday School at Christ United
Methodist Church. Her father had suggested that upon completing high
school, Dorothy should enroll in secretarial school, find a husband,
and settle down. However, upon her graduation she pursued a stage
career. Because her father did not approve of this decision she acted
under the name "Dorothy Van" to avoid family embarrassment.When she
arrived to Broadway she began as a chorus girl in musicals. She often
appeared in uncredited roles in such plays as The Skin of Our Teeth,
All My Sons, The Maids, The Heiress, The Shifting Heart, and The
Mousetrap. After years of stage work she made her movie debut playing
an army nurse in Loose Shoes. Later in the decade she landed a
recurring role as Aunt Effie to Vicki Lawrence's character of Thelma
Harper on Mama's Family; she appeared in seven episodes between and .
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