Elizabeth Kerr

Elizabeth Kerr (August 15, 1912 – January 13, 2000) was an American actress, theatre producer, and director whose Broadway career spanned from 1934 to 1961. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, to John and Anna Kerr, she attended Northwestern University and the University of Kansas. Despite harboring ambitions to act from an early age, family responsibilities delayed the start of her performing career until she was a grandmother. During the intervening years, she and her husband operated a newspaper, for which she contributed reviews of books and plays. She also presented book reviews at women's club meetings, an experience she credited with helping to prepare her for the stage.

Kerr launched her professional acting career at the Pasadena Playhouse, where she was cast following her first audition and achieved professional status within two years. Her Broadway debut came with Angel in the Pawnshop in 1951. She went on to appear in The Righteous Are Bold in 1955, the musical Redhead in 1959, and The Conquering Hero in 1961, among other productions including Gypsy Blonde and The Pirates of Penzance. In addition to her Broadway work, Kerr performed in national touring productions and regional theatre.

Beyond performing, Kerr made significant contributions to American theatre as a producer and director. She founded the Glendale Civic Theater in 1947 and established the Resident Theater in North Hollywood in 1952, where she also directed productions. On television, she appeared as Mother Elliott in The Betty White Show and as Cora Hudson in Mork & Mindy.