Beatrice Pons

Beatrice Pons (January 28, 1906 – June 17, 1991)[3] was an American stage, radio[4], television and film character actress. She is best known for her recurring television roles on The Phil Silvers Show and Car 54, Where Are You? She appeared as "Mother" in the independent horror film Mother's Day under the name Rose Ross.

Beatrice Pons
Born(1906-01-28)January 28, 1906
Rhode Island[1]
DiedJune 17, 1991(1991-06-17) (aged 85)
New York, New York[2]
Other namesRose Ross
OccupationActress
Years active1952–1987
Notable work
The Phil Silvers Show (56–59)
Car 54, Where Are You? (61–63)
Mother's Day (1980)
Spouse(s)David Ross (1934–1975; his death); 1 child

Life and career

Trained as a teacher, Pons began working in chorus and minor roles on Broadway in 1934. She also had a nightclub act doing impressions of famous actresses, comedians and singers.[4] In the mid-1930s, she found work on radio, including the Dick Tracy series starting in January 1938.[5]

Pons' first television appearance was on the NBC anthology series Goodyear Television Playhouse. She may be best-remembered for her recurring roles as Mrs. Emma Ritzik on the television sitcom The Phil Silvers Show and as Lucille Toody on the sitcom Car 54, Where Are You?, with her husband in both series played by veteran comedic actor Joe E. Ross. She also made appearances on the long-running American radio-turned-television series The Goldbergs, The United States Steel Hour, and the CBS prime time drama The Nurses.

In her later years, Pons began appearing in films. In 1964 she made her film debut in the comedy Diary of a Bachelor. In 1980 she played the role of "Mother" in the cult horror film Mother's Day, in which she chose to be credited as Rose Ross (her real-life husband's surname was Ross).[6][7] Her later film credits include Rachel, Rachel and Forever, Lulu.

Personal life

Pons was married to radio personality David Ross (born David Rosenthal; July 7, 1891 – died November 12, 1975), by whom she had a son, Jonathan.[8]

Pons died on June 17, 1991 in New York. She was buried in Riverside Cemetery, New Jersey.[2]

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1964Diary of a BachelorThelma
1968Rachel, Rachel
1980Mother's DayMothercredited as Rose Ross
1984Rent ControlLeonard's mother
1987Forever, LuluFortune Teller
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1952Goodyear Television Playhouseepisode: "The Twenty-Third Mission"
1956The GoldbergsHead nurseepisode: "Nurse's Aide"
1958The United States Steel HourDankaepisode: "Top Secret Mission"
1956–1959The Phil Silvers ShowMrs. Emma Ritzikrecurring role; 11 episodes
1959Keep in StepMrs. Emma RitzikTV Movie
1961–1963Car 54, Where Are You?Lucille Toodyrecurring role; 21 episodes
1964The NursesMrs. Radnitzepisode: "So Some Girls Play the Cello", other title: The Doctors and the Nurses

References
  1. Grams, jr, Martin (8 Sep 2010). Car 54, Where Are You?. BearManor Media. p. PT22. ISBN 978-1593937232. Retrieved 17 Jan 2020.
  2. "Beatrice Pons Ross". findagrave.com. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  3. Profile, death-records.mooseroots.com; accessed July 22, 2015.
  4. Williams, John 'Willow' (2019). "Beatrice Pons, who are you?". A Tribute to Nat Hiken's 'Car 54 Where Are You?'. Retrieved 17 Jan 2020.
  5. Cox, J. (2002). Radio Crime Fighters: More Than 300 Programs from the Golden Age. MCFARLAND & Company Incorporated. p. 98. ISBN 9780786443246. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
  6. "TRAUMA-MOMMAS: 10 most Horrifying Movie Moms". kindertrauma.com. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  7. "Interview With Mother's Day Actress Nancy Hendrickson" by John Klyza • August 12, 2009 Archived 2011-10-16 at the Wayback Machine "Btw, Rose Ross was actually Beatrice Pons who played the cook's wife on the 1950s TV series, “Sgt. Bilko”, starring Phil Silvers. She was also a regular [as] Officer Toody's wife) on the 1960s show “Car 54, Where Are You?” Since she's passed away now and the statute of limitations is up, I think her true identity can be revealed without getting her in any trouble with the Screen Actors Guild."
  8. New York Times obituary, Friday, November 14, 1975 "DAVID ROSS DIES; POET-ANNOUNCER; Radio Personality, 84 ... Surviving are his wife, the former Beatrice Pons, an actress; a son, Jonathan ... and two children by a prior marriage, David Ross Jr. and Helen Webber; died Wednesday of a heart attack at Lenox Hill Hospital. He was 84 years old and lived at 829 Park Avenue. (subscription required)
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