Aneta Corsaut
| Aneta Corsaut | |
|---|---|
 Corsaut as Helen Crump on The Andy Griffith Show | |
| Born |
Aneta Louise Corsaut November 3, 1933 Hutchinson, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died |
November 6, 1995 (aged 62) Studio City, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Resting place | Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names |
Anita Corsault Aneta Corseaut |
| Alma mater |
Northwestern University UCLA |
| Occupation | Actress, writer |
| Years active | 1955–1995 |
Aneta Louise Corsaut (November 3, 1933 – November 6, 1995) was an American actress and writer. She is best known for playing Helen Crump on The Andy Griffith Show (1963–1968).
Early life and career
Born in Hutchinson, Kansas,[1] Corsaut was the daughter of Jesse Harrison and Opal J. (née Swarens) Corsaut. She majored in drama at Northwestern University and studied acting with Lee Strasberg.[2] During her junior year, Corsaut dropped out to pursue a career in acting, although during the run of The Andy Griffith Show, Corsaut took courses at UCLA with plans to earn her degree.[3]
She began her acting career in New York City in the mid-1950s.[4] In 1958, Corsaut and Steve McQueen made their film debuts in the independent cult horror film, The Blob.[5]
Corsaut first appeared on the long-running Griffith show in 1963 as schoolteacher Helen Crump, who later became the Mayberry sheriff's wife on the first episode of the spinoff Mayberry R.F.D. Corsaut also had a continuing role as policeman Bumper Morgan's pawn shop owner friend on the series The Blue Knight and as Irma Howell in the short-lived series Mrs. G. Goes to College. [4] In the TV series Adam-12, Corsaut portrayed Officer Pete Malloy's girlfriend, Judy. She had a supporting role as Head Nurse Bradley in the 1980s sitcom House Calls, and also appeared in several episodes of Matlock with star Andy Griffith.[6] In addition, Corsaut played the role of nurse Jesse Brewer in 1977 on the long-running ABC soap opera General Hospital when long-time portrayer Emily McLaughlin was too ill to work.[7]
Interesting tidbit: Aneta Corsaut and Ken Berry who later starred on Mayberry RFD were both born on the exact same day...November 3, 1933. She returned to the role of Helen Crump in two reunion shows, Return to Mayberry in 1986 and The Andy Griffith Show Reunion in 1993.[4]
As a writer, she co-authored The Mystery Reader's Quiz Book.[4][8]
Death
On November 6, 1995, Corsaut died of cancer in Studio City, Los Angeles, California, just three days after her 62nd birthday.[1][4] She is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, Los Angeles.[9]
Filmography
| Year 1962 | Title | Role uncredited[10] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | The Blob | Jane Martin | Credited as Aneta Corseaut |
| 1964 | Good Neighbor Sam | Fran | Uncredited |
| 1965 | A Rage to Live | Mary | Uncredited |
| 1974 | Blazing Saddles | Tourist Mother | Uncredited |
| 1978 | The Toolbox Murders | Joanne Ballard |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Producers' Showcase | Episode: "The Fourposter" | |
| 1955 | Robert Montgomery Presents | Episode: "Man Lost" | |
| 1959 | Black Saddle | Mary Warren | Episode: "Client: Peter Warren" |
| 1960 | Unsolved | Gloria | Television movie |
| 1960 | Johnny Ringo | Lettie Frome | Segment: "Black Harvest" |
| 1960 | Zane Grey Theatre | Amy | Episode: "Ransom" |
| 1960 | Guestward, Ho! | Mrs. Bennet | Episode: "Bab's Mother" |
| 1960-1962 | The Detectives | Ruth Shaley Mae Banks |
2 episodes |
| 1961 | Hennesey | Mrs. Vaughn | Episode: "The Specialist" |
| 1961 | Hong Kong | Jeannie | Episode: "Lady Godiva" |
| 1961 | Harrigan and Son | Susan Fenton | Episode: "The Man Who Wouldn't Stay Dead" |
| 1961-1962 | Mrs. G. Goes to College | Irma Howell | 3 episodes |
| 1962 | Saints and Sinners | Ellie | Episode: "A Shame for the Diamond Wedding" |
| 1962-1965 | Death Valley Days | Various roles | 4 episodes |
| 1963 | Bonanza | Rebecca Kaufman | Episode: "The Way of Aaron" |
| 1963 | The Real McCoys | Karen | Episode: "The McCoy Hex" |
| 1963-1968 | The Andy Griffith Show | Helen Crump | 66 episodes |
| 1964 | The Eleventh Hour | Marian | Episode: "The Secret in the Stone" |
| 1965 | Ben Casey | Hanna Berger | Episode: "Where Does the Boomerang Go?" |
| 1965 | The Farmer's Daughter | Alice | Episode: "Katy by Moonlight" |
| 1965-1967 | Gunsmoke | Eleanor Starkey Sister Ruth |
2 episodes |
| 1968-1969 | Mayberry R.F.D. | Helen Crump Taylor | 2 episodes |
| 1970 | Me and Benjie | Television movie | |
| 1970 | Nanny and the Professor | Dr. Neilson | Episode: "My Son, the Sitter" |
| 1973 | Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law | Ethel Palmer | Episode: "Why is a Crooked Letter" |
| 1973 | Columbo | Nurse Morgan | Episode: "A Stitch in Crime" |
| 1973-1976 | Marcus Welby, M.D. | Jenny Bailey Brenda Tillerman |
2 episodes |
| 1974 | Bad Ronald | Mrs. Matthews | Television movie |
| 1974-1975 | Emergency! | Various roles | 3 episodes |
| 1975 | Adam-12 | Judy | 2 episodes |
| 1975 | The Blue Knight | Vera | Episode: "Triple Threat" |
| 1976 | Rich Man, Poor Man | Miss Erdlatz | Miniseries |
| 1979 | The Runaways | Shirley Grady | Episode: "Street of Terror: Part 2" |
| 1979-1982 | House Calls | Head Nurse Bradley | 11 episodes |
| 1983 | Hart to Hart | Dorothy Smith | Episode: "Pandora Has Wings" |
| 1984 | Days of Our Lives | Blanche Dailey | Series regular |
| 1986 | Hotel | Mrs. Weaver | Episode: "Hearts Divided" |
| 1986 | Return to Mayberry | Helen Crump Taylor | Television movie |
| 1987-1992 | Matlock | Judge Cynthia Justin | 7 episodes |
References
- 1 2 Lentz, Harris M. (1995). Obituaries in the Performing Arts. McFarland & Company. p. 42. ISBN 0-786-40253-9.
- ↑ Kaplan (1986). Variety: Who's Who In Show Business. Taylor & Francis. p. 95.
- ↑ Witbeck, Charles (May 29, 1967). "One More Year For Andy Griffith". Toledo Blade. p. 31. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Aneta Corsaut; Helen Crump on 'Andy Griffith Show'". latimes.com. November 10, 1995. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ↑ Murdico, Suzanne J. (2004). Meet the Blob. The Rosen Publishing Group. p. 22. ISBN 1-404-20271-4.
- ↑ Murdico 2004 p.23
- ↑ Reed, Jon-Michael (February 3, 1977). "Actress Does a 'Double' Take". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 9A. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ↑ Corsaut, Aneta; Singer, Muff; Wagner, Robert, The Mystery Reader's Quiz Book, M Evans & Co (December 1981), 0871313510
- ↑ Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland & Company Incorporated. p. 202. ISBN 0-786-40983-5.
- ↑ walk on during "teen dance" scene w/ Lauri Peters