Arlene Golonka was an actress best known for playing Millie Hutchins/Swanson on “Mayberry R.F.D.” and “The Andy Griffith Show.”
- Died: May 31, 2021 (Who else died on May 31?)
- Details of death: Died of complications of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 85.
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Acting career
Golonka’s character on “The Andy Griffith Show” was Millie Hutchins, the love interest of Howard Sprague. As the show was retooled into “Mayberry R.F.D.,” she became Millie Swanson, the love interest of main character Sam Jones. Golonka had many other roles on television as well as in movies and on Broadway. Her TV appearances include “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “M*A*S*H,” “Matlock,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “The King of Queens.” She was also the voice of Debby in the cartoon “Speed Buggy.” On Broadway, Golonka had roles in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” alongside Kirk Douglas as well as “Come Blow Your Horn” and “The Night Circus.” Her movies include “Hang ‘Em High,” “Airport ’77,” and “Love at First Bite.” Golonka was also an acting teacher, and her students included Halle Berry.
Golonka on acting
“It’s 97% work and it’s 3% glamour. I call it the most unglamorous glamorous business in the world. I mean, you’ve gotta go on diets, you’ve gotta keep your body wonderful, you’ve gotta try to stay looking young, you’ve gotta bleach your hair — I do! — you’ve gotta have a huge wardrobe.” —from a 1997 interview
Tributes to Arlene Golonka
Full obituary: Extra TV
