Who was Ellen Corby? Ellen Corby was an American character actress with a career spanning over 60 years. She is best known for her role as Esther Walton in the CBS television series The Waltons, for which she won three Primetime Emmy Awards.
Corby was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on June 3, 1911. She began her acting career in the 1930s, appearing in small roles in films and on television. In the 1940s, she began to land more substantial roles, including a recurring role as Aunt Bee on The Andy Griffith Show.
In 1971, Corby was cast as Esther Walton in The Waltons. The role was a perfect fit for Corby, who brought her warmth and humor to the character. Corby won three Primetime Emmy Awards for her performance, and she was nominated for a fourth in 1976.
Corby continued to act until her retirement in 1995. She died in Woodland Hills, California, on April 14, 1999, at the age of 87.
| Born | June 3, 1911 |
| Died | April 14, 1999 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 19301995 |
| Spouse(s) | William Kibler (m. 19341972) |
| Children | 1 |
Ellen Corby was a beloved character actress who brought joy to millions of viewers. She will always be remembered for her role as Esther Walton, the wise and loving matriarch of the Walton family.
Ellen Corby
Ellen Corby was an American character actress with a career spanning over 60 years. She is best known for her role as Esther Walton in the CBS television series The Waltons, for which she won three Primetime Emmy Awards.
- Early life and career: Corby was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on June 3, 1911. She began her acting career in the 1930s, appearing in small roles in films and on television.
- Breakthrough role: In 1971, Corby was cast as Esther Walton in The Waltons. The role was a perfect fit for Corby, who brought her warmth and humor to the character.
- Awards and recognition: Corby won three Primetime Emmy Awards for her performance as Esther Walton, and she was nominated for a fourth in 1976.
- Later career: Corby continued to act until her retirement in 1995. She appeared in a number of films and television shows, including The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, and ER.
- Personal life: Corby was married to William Kibler from 1934 until his death in 1972. They had one child, a daughter named Kathy.
- Legacy: Corby died in Woodland Hills, California, on April 14, 1999, at the age of 87. She is remembered as one of the most beloved character actresses of her generation.
Ellen Corby's career was marked by her versatility and her ability to bring warmth and humor to even the smallest roles. She was a true character actress, and her work brought joy to millions of viewers. Corby's legacy will continue to inspire actors and audiences for generations to come.
1. Early life and career
Ellen Corby's early life and career helped to shape her into the successful actress she became. She was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on June 3, 1911, and began her acting career in the 1930s, appearing in small roles in films and on television.
Corby's early experiences in the entertainment industry gave her the foundation she needed to succeed in later roles. She learned how to work with directors and other actors, and she developed her own unique acting style.
Corby's early work also helped her to develop the versatility that would become one of her trademarks. She was able to play a wide range of roles, from comedic to dramatic, and she always brought a sense of warmth and humanity to her characters.
Corby's early life and career were essential to her success as an actress. They gave her the skills and experience she needed to succeed in the entertainment industry, and they helped her to develop the versatility that would become one of her trademarks.
2. Breakthrough role
Ellen Corby's breakthrough role as Esther Walton in The Waltons was a defining moment in her career. The role was a perfect fit for Corby, who brought her warmth and humor to the character. Corby's performance earned her three Primetime Emmy Awards, and she was nominated for a fourth in 1976.
Corby's portrayal of Esther Walton was so successful because she was able to bring her own personal qualities to the role. Corby was a warm and compassionate person, and she had a great sense of humor. These qualities shone through in her performance as Esther Walton, and they made the character relatable and lovable to audiences.
Corby's breakthrough role as Esther Walton not only brought her critical acclaim, but it also helped to launch her career as a character actress. Corby went on to appear in a number of films and television shows, including The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, and ER. She continued to work until her retirement in 1995.
Ellen Corby's breakthrough role as Esther Walton is a testament to her talent and versatility as an actress. She was able to bring her own personal qualities to the role, and she created a character that was both lovable and relatable. Corby's performance as Esther Walton will continue to inspire actors and audiences for generations to come.
3. Awards and recognition
Ellen Corby's performance as Esther Walton in The Waltons was critically acclaimed, and she was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards, winning three. Her first win came in 1973, and she won again in 1974 and 1976. Her nomination in 1977 brought her total Emmy nominations to four.
- Critical acclaim: Corby's Emmy wins are a testament to the critical acclaim she received for her performance as Esther Walton. She was praised for her warmth, humor, and authenticity in the role.
- Recognition for her work: Corby's Emmy wins were also a recognition of her long career in the entertainment industry. She had been working as an actress for over 40 years before she won her first Emmy, and her wins were a fitting tribute to her dedication to her craft.
- Inspiration for other actors: Corby's Emmy wins are an inspiration to other actors, showing that it is possible to achieve success in the entertainment industry, even if you don't become a household name.
Ellen Corby's Emmy wins are a testament to her talent and versatility as an actress. She was able to bring her own personal qualities to the role of Esther Walton, and she created a character that was both lovable and relatable. Corby's Emmy wins are a fitting tribute to her long and successful career in the entertainment industry.
4. Later career
Ellen Corby's later career was marked by her continued versatility and her ability to bring warmth and humor to even the smallest roles. She appeared in a wide range of films and television shows, including comedies, dramas, and westerns.
- Film roles: Corby appeared in a number of films during her later career, including The Love Boat (1977), Murder, She Wrote (1984), and ER (1994). In these roles, Corby often played quirky or eccentric characters, but she always brought a sense of warmth and humanity to her performances.
- Television roles: Corby also appeared in a number of television shows during her later career, including The Waltons (1972-1981), The Love Boat (1977-1986), and Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996). In these roles, Corby often played supporting characters, but she always made a memorable impression with her warmth and humor.
- Voice roles: Corby also did some voice work during her later career, including the role of Granny in the animated film The Fox and the Hound (1981). Corby's voice work was just as expressive as her live-action performances, and she brought the same warmth and humor to her animated characters.
- Legacy: Corby's later career is a testament to her versatility and her longevity as an actress. She was able to play a wide range of roles, from comedic to dramatic, and she always brought a sense of warmth and humanity to her characters. Corby's legacy as an actress will continue to inspire actors and audiences for generations to come.
Ellen Corby's later career is a reminder that it is never too late to achieve your dreams. Corby began her acting career in the 1930s, but she didn't achieve widespread success until she was cast as Esther Walton in The Waltons in 1972. Corby's later career is also a testament to the power of perseverance. She never gave up on her dream of becoming an actress, and she eventually achieved her goal. Corby's story is an inspiration to us all, and it shows us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it.
5. Personal life
Ellen Corby's personal life had a significant impact on her career as an actress. She was married to William Kibler from 1934 until his death in 1972, and they had one child, a daughter named Kathy. Corby's marriage and family life gave her a sense of stability and support, which allowed her to focus on her career.
Corby's husband, William Kibler, was a writer and producer. He was very supportive of Corby's career, and he often helped her to find work. Corby's daughter, Kathy, also worked in the entertainment industry. She was a production assistant on The Waltons, and she later went on to become a producer herself.
Corby's personal life also influenced her acting. She often drew on her own experiences as a wife and mother to create her characters. For example, her portrayal of Esther Walton was based in part on her own mother. Corby's ability to bring her own personal experiences to her roles made her characters more believable and relatable.
The connection between Ellen Corby's personal life and her career as an actress is a reminder that our personal lives and our professional lives are often intertwined. The support of our loved ones can help us to achieve our goals, and our own experiences can help us to create more authentic and believable characters.
6. Legacy
Ellen Corby's legacy as an actress is one of warmth, humor, and versatility. She was able to bring these qualities to a wide range of roles, from comedic to dramatic. Corby was also known for her ability to create believable and relatable characters, which she often drew from her own personal experiences.
- Her Impact on the Entertainment Industry
Corby's career spanned over 60 years, and she appeared in over 100 films and television shows. She is best known for her role as Esther Walton in The Waltons, for which she won three Primetime Emmy Awards. Corby's work has had a lasting impact on the entertainment industry, and she is still remembered as one of the most beloved character actresses of her generation.
- Her Legacy as a Character Actress
Corby was a master of creating believable and relatable characters. She was able to bring warmth and humor to even the smallest roles. Corby's characters were often quirky and eccentric, but they were always endearing and lovable.
- Her Personal Qualities
Corby's personal qualities also contributed to her success as an actress. She was a warm and compassionate person, and she had a great sense of humor. These qualities shone through in her performances, and they made her characters even more relatable.
- Her Influence on Other Actors
Corby's work has inspired a generation of actors. Her ability to create believable and relatable characters has shown other actors that it is possible to achieve success without being a household name. Corby's legacy will continue to inspire actors for years to come.
Ellen Corby was a true character actress, and her legacy will continue to inspire actors and audiences for generations to come. She was a master of her craft, and she brought warmth, humor, and relatability to every role she played.
FAQs on Ellen Corby
This section provides answers to commonly asked questions about Ellen Corby, an American character actress known for her role as Esther Walton in the CBS television series The Waltons.
Question 1: What was Ellen Corby's most famous role?
Ellen Corby is best known for her role as Esther Walton in the CBS television series The Waltons, which aired from 1972 to 1981. For her performance, she won three Primetime Emmy Awards and was nominated for a fourth.
Question 2: How many Primetime Emmy Awards did Ellen Corby win?
Ellen Corby won three Primetime Emmy Awards for her role as Esther Walton in The Waltons. She won in 1973, 1974, and 1976, and was nominated again in 1977.
Question 3: What was Ellen Corby's last acting role?
Ellen Corby's last acting role was in the television series ER, in which she appeared in two episodes in 1995. She retired from acting later that year.
Question 4: What year did Ellen Corby die?
Ellen Corby died on April 14, 1999, at the age of 87.
Question 5: What is Ellen Corby's legacy?
Ellen Corby is remembered as one of the most beloved character actresses of her generation. She was known for her warmth, humor, and versatility, and she brought these qualities to every role she played. Corby's work has inspired a generation of actors, and her legacy will continue to inspire actors and audiences for years to come.
Summary: Ellen Corby was a talented and beloved actress who made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. Her work brought joy to millions of viewers, and her legacy will continue to inspire actors and audiences for generations to come.
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Conclusion
Ellen Corby was a talented and beloved character actress who made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. Her work brought joy to millions of viewers, and her legacy will continue to inspire actors and audiences for generations to come.
Corby's ability to bring warmth, humor, and relatability to her characters was truly remarkable. She had a gift for creating characters that were both unique and universal, and her work has had a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. Corby's legacy is one of excellence, and she will always be remembered as one of the greatest character actresses of all time.
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