Topic: Alice Ghostley

Alice Margaret Ghostley (August 14, 1924 – September 21, 2007) was an American actress. She was best known for her roles as Esmeralda on Bewitched (in which she had a recurring role from 1969 to 1972), as Cousin Alice on Mayberry R.F.D. (1970–1971) and as Bernice Clifton on Designing Women (1986–1993) for which she received an Emmy Nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1992. Ghostley was also a regular on the James Garner-Margot Kidder NBC western Nichols (1971–1972) and the critically acclaimed variety series, The Julie Andrews Hour, which ran on ABC-TV during the 1972-1973 season.

Alice Ghostley was born in Eve, Vernon County, Missouri, where her father worked as a telegraph operator. She grew up in Henryetta, Oklahoma. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Oklahoma but dropped out to pursue a career in theatre.

Ghostley first came to Broadway in Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1952 and in the film version released in 1954. She appeared in the 1960 revue A Thurber Carnival and in The Beauty Part (1962), playing several distinct roles in each. She also performed in several musical comedies, including Shangri-La (1956).