Alice Ghostley

Alice Margaret Ghostley (August 14, 1923 – September 21, 2007) was an American actress and singer on stage, film and television. Ghostley was best known for her roles as bumbling witch Esmeralda (1969–72) on Bewitched, as Cousin Alice (1970–71) on Mayberry R.F.D., and as Bernice Clifton (1986–93) on Designing Women. Ghostley dropped out of university to pursue a career in theater. She first starred on Broadway in New Faces of 1952 and in the film version of the play released in 1954. She portrayed recurring characters on several sitcoms, including Bewitched (1969-1972), Mayberry R.F.D., Nichols (1971–72) and The Julie Andrews Hour (1972–73). Between 1986 and 1993, Ghostley portrayed Bernice Clifton on Designing Women. Over the years, Ghostley had numerous guest starring roles, including on Hogan's Heroes, Good Times, Maude, One Day at a Time, The Odd Couple, What's Happening!!, Evening Shade, and The Golden Girls. She also appeared in film in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), Gator, the film version of Grease, in the 1985 comedy Not for Publication, and in the direct-to-video movie Addams Family Reunion. Ghostley received a Tony nomination in 1963 for her roles in the comedy The Beauty Part. She also received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for her role in The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window and, in 1992, she was nominated for an Emmy for her role in Designing Women.