Mother of look-alike, sound-alike actress Tisha Sterling. The two appeared in The Whales of August (1987), with Tisha, in the prelude scene, portraying a younger-day Ann.
Ann Sothern was born on January 22, 1909, in Valley City, North Dakota. Her parents were Mabel Ethel (née Harlow) and Walter Edward Sothern, a bank manager. She had two older sisters, Helena and Sylvia. Sothern began her career as a singer in vaudeville before moving to Hollywood in the 1930s. She made her film debut in the 1932 comedy Short Cut to Heaven.
Sothern’s career took off in 1939 when she was cast as Maisie Ravier in the comedy film Maisie. The film was a huge success and led to a series of sequels. Sothern went on to star in a number of other films throughout the 1940s, including Lady Be Good (1941), Panama Hattie (1942), and A Letter from Bataan (1943).
In 1948, Sothern starred in the sitcom The Ann Sothern Show, which ran for eight seasons. The show was a huge success and made Sothern a household name. She won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series in 1949.
Sothern continued to work in film and television throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Some of her notable roles during this time include the films No Time for Sergeants (1958) and Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1960). She also guest-starred on a number of popular television shows, such as The Love Boat and Fantasy Island.
Sothern retired from acting in the early 1970s. She made her final film appearance in the 1974 comedy The Whirlwinds of Jeanette MacDonald. She died of congestive heart failure on March 15, 2001, at the age of 92.
Sothern was married three times. Her first husband was bandleader Roger Pryor; they were married from 1929 to 1931. Her second husband was actor Robert Sterling; they were married from 1942 to 1949. Her third husband was businessman Gerald O’Loughlin; they were married from 1954 until his death in 1985. Sothern had two children: Tisha Sterling, from her marriage to Robert Sterling, and Patricia Ann O’Loughlin, from her marriage to Gerald O’Loughlin.
General Info
Full Name
Ann Sothern
Died
March 15, 2001, Ketchum, Idaho, United States
Height
1.56 m
Profession
Actor, Businessperson, Singer-songwriter
Education
University of Washington
Nationality
American
Family
Spouse
Robert Sterling, Roger Pryor
Children
Tisha Sterling
Parents
Annette Yde-Lake, Walter J. Lake
Siblings
Bonnie Lake, Marion Lake
Accomplishments
Awards
Golden Globe Award for Television Achievement
Nominations
Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female, Primetime Emmy Award for Best Actress Starring In A Regul...
Movies
A Letter to Three Wives, Maisie, The Whales of August, Lady Be Good, Panama Hattie, Gold Rush Maisie, Cry "Havoc", The Blue Gardenia, Maisie Was a Lady, Kid Millions, Nancy Goes to Rio, Brother Orchid, Undercover Maisie, Words and Music, Congo Maisie, Swing Shift Maisie, Ringside Maisie, Lady in a C...
TV Shows
The Chicago Teddy Bears, My Mother the Car, The Ann Sothern Show, Private Secretary
People never think of me as a singer. But singers aren't always good actresses, and, thank goodness, they think of me as an actress.
5
Listen, I never asked to be in show business. It was my mother's idea.
6
[about her long-time friend Lucille Ball and her second series, The Ann Sothern Show (1958)] Lucy used to complain that she got all the parts I turned down. Now I produce the show, and she owns the studio. I guess that settles that.
7
Sometimes I'll watch an old movie on television and, once in a while, one of mine -- such as April Showers (1948) -- will come on and I'll watch it. And you know something? I'm always amazed at what a lousy actress I was. I guess in the old days we just got by on glamour.
8
Hollywood sold its stars on good looks and personality build-ups. We weren't really actresses in the true sense. We were just big names--the products of a good publicity department. Today's crop of actresses and actors have real talent. Good looks are no longer an essential part of the business.
9
Good night . . . and stay happy.
Facts
#
Fact
1
Ann Sothern has the distinction of co-starring (with Franchot Tone) in the first American film to play in newly-liberated Copenhagen (May, 1945), following Denmark's five-year German occupation in World War II; the film is 1939's "Fast and furious".
2
Became a grandmother for the 1st time at age 57 when her daughter Tisha Sterling gave birth to a daughter, Heidi K. Baum, on March 3, 1966.
3
Gave birth to her only child at age 35, a daughter Patricia Ann Sterling, aka Tisha Sterling, on December 10, 1944. Child's father was her 2nd husband, Robert Sterling.
Among her numerous business interests were a dress shop and gift shop in Idaho, a ranch for breeding Black Angus beef, a music publishing company and a sewing-center shop.
12
After appearing in Fox's Hotel for Women (1939), she turned down the studio's offer of a long-term contract in favor of signing one with rival MGM. Fox reportedly then cut down Sothern's role in order to favor newcomer Linda Darnell.
Her younger sister was the prolific singer/songwriter Bonnie Lake who wrote several popular standards such as "Sandman", "I've Got Your Number" and "Gracias" - songs later recorded by such big band stars as Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman. In the 1940s, Bonnie founded the Bonnie Lake Music Publishing Company.
19
Her mother was a concert singer who traveled; Ann followed suit studying singing and musical composition. In later years her mother became a diction and vocal coach and taught microphone technique for talking pictures.
20
In 1953, her film career waned and she decided to give TV a try. When a TV series based on her popular "Maisie" film character failed to materialize, she made her series debut with Suzie McNamara on Private Secretary (1953).
21
A singer in her early career, she sang with Artie Shaw and His Orchestra, among others. She was also a published songwriter and recorded two albums.
22
Her paternal grandfather, Simon Lake, was the inventor of the modern submarine.
23
Her sister Marion was once a secretary to columnist Abigail Van Buren ("Dear Abby").
24
Portrayed Maisie Ravier on Mutual Radio's "The Adventures of Maisie" (1949- 1951).
25
Had been so busy in the entertainment industry for so many years, once quipped that she had done everything in the business except rodeo.
26
In her role as Susie McNamara on Private Secretary (1953) (which ran 1953-1958), Sothern played the first working woman on an American TV sitcom.
27
Left visibly overweight by a bout of hepatitis, she only wore black outfits in her 1950s sitcoms Private Secretary (1953) and The Ann Sothern Show (1958).
28
Mother of look-alike, sound-alike actress Tisha Sterling. The two appeared in The Whales of August (1987), with Tisha, in the prelude scene, portraying a younger-day Ann.
Performer in 'Meet My Sister' & 'Bicycle Built for Two' Numbers (as Harriet Lake)
Broadway Nights
1927
Fan Dancer (uncredited)
The Whales of August
1987
Tisha Doughty
A Letter to Three Wives
1985
TV Movie
Ma Finney
The Little Dragons
1979
Angel
Flying High
1978
TV Series
The Manitou
1978
Mrs. Karmann
Captains and the Kings
1976
TV Mini-Series
Mrs. Finch
Medical Story
1975
TV Series
Mrs. Metulski
Crazy Mama
1975
Sheba
Golden Needles
1974
Fenzie
The Killing Kind
1973
Thelma Lambert
The Weekend Nun
1972
TV Movie
Mother Bonaventure
The Great Man's Whiskers
1972
TV Movie
Aunt Margaret Bancroft
Fol-de-Rol
1972
TV Movie
Queen Gertrude
Alias Smith and Jones
1971
TV Series
Blackjack Jenny
The Chicago Teddy Bears
1971
TV Series
A Death of Innocence
1971
TV Movie
Annie La Cossit
Congratulations, It's a Boy!
1971
TV Movie
Ethel Gaines
The Virginian
1971
TV Series
Della Spencer
The Greatest Mother of Them All
1969
Short
Dolly Murdock
Love, American Style
1969
TV Series
Mrs. Devlin (segment "Love and the Bachelor")
Insight
1964-1969
TV Series
the Fading Actress / Fran Henderson
Family Affair
1968
TV Series
Florence Cahill
The Outsider
1967
TV Movie
Mrs. Kozzek
Chubasco
1967
Angela
The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.
1967
TV Series
Aunt Magda
My Mother the Car
1965-1966
TV Series
Gladys Crabtree
The Legend of Jesse James
1965
TV Series
Widow Fay
The Lucy Show
1965
TV Series
Rosie Harrigan, the Countess Framboise
Sylvia
1965
Mrs. Argona / Grace Argona
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
1964
TV Series
Helen Cox
Lady in a Cage
1964
Sade
The Best Man
1964
Sue Ellen Gamadge
The Ann Sothern Show
1958-1961
TV Series
Katy O'Connor
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
1959
TV Series
Martha
The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour
1957
TV Series
Susie MacNamara
Private Secretary
1953-1957
TV Series
Susie McNamara
The Ford Television Theatre
1957
TV Series
Christine Emerson
The Loretta Young Show
1955
TV Series
Guest Hostess
Texaco Star Theatre
1955
TV Series
Flora Sibley
Lady in the Dark
1954
TV Movie
Liza Elliot
The Red Skelton Hour
1953
TV Series
Fraulein Helga-Flugelmeyer Skit
The Blue Gardenia
1953
Crystal Carpenter
Hollywood Opening Night
1952
TV Series
Schlitz Playhouse
1952
TV Series
Shadow on the Wall
1950
Dell Faring
Nancy Goes to Rio
1950
Frances Elliott
A Letter to Three Wives
1949
Rita Phipps
Words and Music
1948
Joyce Harmon
April Showers
1948
June Tyme
The Judge Steps Out
1947
Peggy
Undercover Maisie
1947
Maisie Ravier
Up Goes Maisie
1946
Maisie Ravier
Maisie Goes to Reno
1944
Maisie Ravier
Cry 'Havoc'
1943
Pat
Thousands Cheer
1943
Ann Sothern
Swing Shift Maisie
1943
Maisie Ravier
Three Hearts for Julia
1943
Julia Seabrook
You, John Jones!
1943
Short
Mary Jones
Panama Hattie
1942
Hattie Maloney
Maisie Gets Her Man
1942
Maisie Ravier
Lady Be Good
1941
Dixie Donegan
Ringside Maisie
1941
Maisie Ravier
Maisie Was a Lady
1941
Maisie Ravier
Dulcy
1940
Dulcy Ward
Gold Rush Maisie
1940
Maisie Ravier
Brother Orchid
1940
Flo Addams
Congo Maisie
1940
Maisie Ravier
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President
1939
Ethel Turp
Fast and Furious
1939
Garda Sloane
Hotel for Women
1939
Eileen Connelly
Maisie
1939
Maisie Ravier
Trade Winds
1938
Jean Livingstone
She's Got Everything
1937
Carol Rogers
There Goes the Groom
1937
Betty Russell
Ali Baba Goes to Town
1937
Ann Sothern - at Fictional Premiere (uncredited)
Danger - Love at Work
1937
Toni Pemberton
Super-Sleuth
1937
Mary Strand
Fifty Roads to Town
1937
Millicent Kendall
There Goes My Girl
1937
Reporter Connie Taylor
Dangerous Number
1937
Eleanor
Smartest Girl in Town
1936
Frances Cooke
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Ann Sothern Show
1958-1961
TV Series composer - 93 episodes
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
That's Entertainment, Part II
1976
Documentary performer: "Oh, Lady Be Good" 1924 - uncredited
My Mother the Car
1965
TV Series performer - 1 episode
MGM Parade
1955
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Lady in the Dark
1954
TV Movie performer: "One Life to Live", "This is New", "The Saga of Jenny", "My Ship"
Words and Music
1948
performer: "Where's That Rainbow?"
Maisie Goes to Reno
1944
performer: "Panhandle Pete" 1944
Cry 'Havoc'
1943
"Blues in the Night" 1941, uncredited
Panama Hattie
1942
performer: "I've Still Got My Health" 1940, "Let's Be Buddies" 1940
Maisie Gets Her Man
1942
performer: "Mademoiselle from Armentieres" uncredited, "Cookin' With Gas" 1941
Lady Be Good
1941
performer: "You'll Never Know" 1941 uncredited, "Your Words and My Music" 1941 uncredited, "Oh ! Lady Be Good" 1924 uncredited, "The Last Time I Saw Paris" 1940
She's Got Everything
1937
performer: "It's Sleepy Time in Hawaii" 1937
Danger - Love at Work
1937
performer: "Danger - Love at Work" - uncredited
Walking on Air
1936
performer: "Let's Make a Wish
Hooray for Love
1935
"You're an Angel" 1935, uncredited / performer: "I'm in Love All Over Again" 1935, "Palsy Walsy" 1935 - uncredited
Folies Bergère de Paris
1935
performer: "Rhythm of the Rain" 1935, "Singing a Happy Song" 1935
Kid Millions
1934
performer: "Your Head on My Shoulder" 1934 uncredited, "Mandy" 1918
Let's Fall in Love
1933
performer: "Let's Fall in Love" 1933, "Love Is Love Anywhere" 1933 - uncredited
The Show of Shows
1929
performer: "My Sister" 1929 - uncredited
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
That's Entertainment!: The Masters Behind the Musicals
2004
Video documentary short
Herself
Biography
1994
TV Series documentary
Herself
The 60th Annual Academy Awards
1988
TV Special
Herself
All-Star Party for 'Dutch' Reagan
1985
TV Special
Herself
Over Easy
1978
TV Series
Herself
The Irv Kupcinet Show
1971
TV Series
Herself
The Movie Game
1970
TV Series
Herself
Everybody's Talking
1967
TV Series
Herself
The Merv Griffin Show
1962-1965
TV Series
Herself
What's My Line?
1953-1965
TV Series
Herself - Mystery Guest
That Regis Philbin Show
1964
TV Series
Herself / Herself - Co-host
The Celebrity Game
1964
TV Series
Herself
The Match Game
1963-1964
TV Series
Team Captain
Get the Message
1964
TV Series
Herself
I've Got a Secret
1962-1963
TV Series
Herself
The Andy Williams Show
1963
TV Series
Herself
Password All-Stars
1963
TV Series
Herself
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
1959
TV Series
Herself
The 11th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1959
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
Person to Person
1958
TV Series documentary
Herself
The Steve Allen Plymouth Show
1957-1958
TV Series
Herself
Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall
1957
TV Series
Herself
The Name's the Same
1953
TV Series
Herself
The Jack Benny Program
1953
TV Series
Herself
All Star Revue
1952
TV Series
Herself
The Fred Waring Show
1951
TV Series
Herself
Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 5
1938
Documentary short
Herself
Screen Snapshots Series 16, No. 9
1937
Documentary short
Herself
Screen Snapshots Series 16, No. 3
1936
Documentary short
Herself - Observer
Screen Snapshots Series 16, No. 1
1936
Documentary short
Herself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Cinemassacre's Monster Madness
2010
TV Series documentary
Mrs. Karmann
A Life in Words and Music
2007
Video short
Herself
Great Performances
2003
TV Series
Herself
The 74th Annual Academy Awards
2002
TV Special
Herself (Memorial Tribute)
The 53rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
2001
TV Special
Herself - Memorial Tribute
That's Entertainment! III
1994
Documentary
Performer in Film Clip (uncredited)
American Masters
1987
TV Series documentary
Herself
That's Entertainment, Part II
1976
Documentary
Clip from 'Lady Be Good'
MGM Parade
1955
TV Series
Dixie Donegan Crane
Some of the Best: Twenty-Five Years of Motion Picture Leadership
1949
Documentary short
Herself (uncredited)
Twenty Years After
1944
Short
The Miracle of Sound
1940
Documentary short
Herself
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
1940
Documentary short
Herself
Awards
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2014
OFTA TV Hall of Fame
Online Film & Television Association
Actors and Actresses
After two decades in film, Sothern moved to television in 1953 to headline sitcom Private Secretary
1960
Star on the Walk of Fame
Walk of Fame
Motion Picture
On 8 February 1960. At 1612 Vine Street.
1960
Star on the Walk of Fame
Walk of Fame
Television
On 8 February 1960. At 1634 Vine Street.
1959
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Television Achievement
The Ann Sothern Show (1958)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2005
TV Land Award
TV Land Awards
Favorite Heard But Not Seen Character
My Mother the Car (1965)
1988
Oscar
Academy Awards, USA
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
The Whales of August (1987)
1988
Independent Spirit Award
Independent Spirit Awards
Best Supporting Female
The Whales of August (1987)
1965
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Supporting Actress
The Best Man (1964)
1959
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Best Actress in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Comedy Series
The Ann Sothern Show (1958)
1957
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Best Continuing Performance by a Comedienne in a Series