RIP Betsy Palmer

So sad to read today of her passing. I'll always treasure her performance as Dolly Levi in an in the round production of HELLO DOLLY I saw with my folks back in the late 60's-- I'm guessing it was North Shore Music Theatre in Massachusetts. I can still remember nearly every detail of the staging. Most of all, Betsy just exuded joy and warmth-- she was my first Dolly and I held every other one I saw later (including Carol and Pearl) up to the very high bar she set.

She did a lot of summer stock and regional theater, including musicals. I had an older friend who had seen Mary Martin and all her replacements in the original South Pacific, as well as all the subsequent NYC productions (City Center, 1960s Lincoln Center, City Opera), and various regional productions. It was his favorite show. Of all the Nellie Forbushes he had seen, he told me, the finest was Betsy Palmer. She played the part several times.

Updated On: 6/1/15 at 04:28 AM

Didn't realize she was so young in the film version of MISTER ROBERTS. Love the way she shriveled Ensign Pulver's (Jack Lemmon) ego with her devastatingly delivered parting shot of "So long, harmless."

"Yes, great career and a significant talent. Unfortunately, she has to be remembered for "Friday the 13th."

There is absolutely nothing unfortunate about it at all.

She embraced her place as a horror fan favorite. She loved that she was a horror icon.

And she was always gracious to those fans.