Mitzi McCall, the groundbreaking comedian, actress and one half of the comedy duo McCall and Brill, died Thursday in Burbank. She was 93 years old.
Born on September 9, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her comedic talent was evident at an early age and led to a distinguished career that spanned seven decades. She became a prominent voice in the male-dominated comedy world and paved the way for future generations of female comedians.
McCall’s legacy is perhaps most enduring for her work with her husband, actor and comedian Charlie Brill, as part of the comedy duo McCall and Brill. The pair became television personalities, gracing numerous variety shows, including a memorable appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show during the Beatles’ U.S. 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 and established herself as a versatile and engaging performer. In 1953, she was seen in Studio 10 on KGTV in San Diego, California.
Her television career has included appearances on shows such as Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, Life Goes On, Silk Stalkings, Seinfeld, Roseanne, Dharma & Greg, Becker, The Twilight Zone, and The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.
In addition to her work in front of the camera, McCall had a successful career as a voice actress, bringing characters to life in such animated series as “Snorks,” “Mother Goose and Grimm,” “The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show,” “The Flintstones” and “The Jetsons.” She also provided the voice of 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 with 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 and worked on 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 beacon of light to many in the industry and was known for her “warmth, generosity and unwavering support for her colleagues,” according to her publicist.
She has served as a mentor to many in the entertainment industry, providing 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.
