Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Former TV, film and theater actress.
Ht: 5-3 Wt: 119
DOB: August 14, 1923 (to 2007) In: Eve, Missouri
Childhood Heroes/Inspirations: Bette Davis. Oliva DeHavilland. Joan Crawford.
All Time Favorite Movies: Fellini film Amarcord. I just loved it. He’s kind of reminiscent of his childhood. It has the best music in it. I like a lot of those Italian films. I loved Jurassic Park. You Can’t Take It With You. It’s A Wonderful Life. Gone With The Wind. As a kid my favorite was Wizard of Oz.
Early TV Memory: Having worked with Jackie Gleason on television. I did a sketch with him called ‘Agnes & Arthur.’ I loved doing it. He was wonderful, so professional. He knew everything about the show. A nice man, kind and sweet person on top of all that talent.
First Job: Babysitting in high school, in Henryetta, Oklahoma.
First Car: I don’t have one, to this day. I took the side off the car the first time I drove, hit a fence. Something inside me just told me – Don’t get behind the wheel Alice, or you’ll be wanted for murder immediately. Thank God my husband can drive.
Childhood Dreams: The only thing I ever wanted to do was to go to New York. Something in show business. Always such a romantic place. I thought it would be a wonderful place.
Hobbies/Interests: I don’t have any hobbies except working. I love to go to Vegas. That could be called a hobby. I love the slots. I once won $500. That’s in a lot of years. I just like it, it’s totally mindless.
Favorite Books: Biographies. Mysteries.
Favorite TV Shows: Today – Murder She Wrote, Matlock, Designing Women – I never watch it, I like acting on it. When I did them, I watched it. But not the re-runs. All In The Family.
Musical Tastes: Classical singers, Pavaratti, Placido Domingo, I can’t get enough of Pavarotti, really gorgeous voice. God given.
Greatest Career Moment: When I won the Tony Award in New York (1963). For a drama – The Sign In Sidney Brustein’s Window. I was surprised.
Favorite Meal: Pasta, any way. Thanksgiving turkey with stuffing and sweet potato.
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Shredded wheat.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate.
Most Treasured Possession: An orchid that Raymond Burr named for me. He grows orchids. He named it for me. He is a friend of mine. I just adore him, a wonderful man. It was just a sweet gesture. It’s a new breed. Can’t wait to see it. It was written up in American Orchid Society Bulletin in June 1993.
Nicknames: Ali. My grandmother, her name was Ali. Passed it to me.
Favorite Vacation Spot: Florida Keys.
Funniest Performers Encountered: Jackie Gleason. I never did get to know him well. We just know The Honeymooners. I never was social with him. Robin Williams. Very funny. A great mind. So smart. Wonderful frame of reference. Must read a lot. So clever. I think he’s very smart.
Interesting Fact: I was born in a railroad station. My father was a railroad telegraph operator. That’s where we lived – Eve, Missouri. Which is no longer there. It just died. People all moved away.
Future Ambitions: No more challenges. I like to just work. I like working in television.
Husband: Felice Orlandi.
Residence: Studio City, CA.
People Qualities Most Admired: I always admired Eleanor Roosevelt. Nice, strong lady. She sort of put First Ladies on the map. She did a lot of things, good things for women. Really a pioneer in that. She was for the underdog and I always liked that.
Career Accomplishments: Dropped out of Univ Of Oklahoma to purse a theater career; Portrayed characters on TV shows Bewitched, Mayberry RFD, The Julie Andrews Hour, Designing Women; Guest star roles on What’s Happening!!, Friends, Chico And The Man, CHiPS, Punky Brewster, Hogan’s Heroes, Maude, Good Times, One Day At A Time, The Odd Couple, Kolchak: The Night Stalker; appeared in films Grease, Gator, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Graduate, ; Received Emmy nomination for role on Designing Women.
