Mitzi McCallThe pioneering comedian, actress and half of the comedy duo McCall and Brill, died Thursday in Burbank. She was 93.
Born on September 9, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her comedic talents became apparent at a young age and led to a distinguished career that spanned more than seven decades. She emerged as a leading voice in the male-dominated world of comedy and paved the way for future generations of female comedians.
McCall’s legacy is perhaps most marked by her work with her husband, actor and comedian Charlie Brill, as part of the comedy duo “McCall and Brill.” The pair became a staple of television, appearing on numerous variety shows, including a memorable appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” during the Beatles’ American debut in 1964, a moment that has since become television history.
Mitzi’s career began in the late 1940s with a stage debut at the Pittsburgh Playhouse in “Strange Bedfellows” in 1948. In the early 1950s, she hosted the Kiddie Castle program on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, establishing herself as a versatile and engaging performer. In 1953, she appeared on Studio 10 at KGTV in San Diego, California.
Her television career included appearances on such shows as “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In,” “Life Goes On,” “Silk Stalkings,” “Seinfeld,” “Roseanne,” “Dharma and Greg,” “Becker,” “The Twilight Zone ” and “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.”
In addition to her on-camera work, McCall enjoyed a successful voiceover career, bringing characters to life on animated series such as “Snorks,” “Mother Goose and Grimm,” “The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show,” “The Flintstones” and “The Jetsons.” She also voiced Glyptodon in the animated film “Ice Age.”
McCall’s film career included roles in “The White Palace,” “The Cry Baby Killer,” “Machine-Gun Kelly,” “War of the Satellites” and “Young at Heart.” She worked alongside entertainment legends such as Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin and Robin Williams.
In addition to her work in front of the camera, McCall was also a talented screenwriter, contributing to popular television shows such as “Eight is Enough,” “One Day at a Time,” “Alf” and “Charles in Charge.” She was also a mentor and a light to many in the industry, known for her “warmth, generosity and unwavering support for her fellow artists,” according to her publicist.
She was a mentor to many in the entertainment industry, offering guidance and encouragement to the next generation of artists.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Charlie Brill, her daughter Jenny and her nieces Toni Howard and Wendy Goldberg. Mitzi is also survived by her godchildren, actors Melissa and Sara Gilbert.