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Lee Ann Meriwether (born May 27, 1935) is Miss America 1955, and an American actress, appearing in movies, soap operas, game shows and television, best known for her roles as Buddy Ebsen's daughter-in-law and crime-solving partner, Betty Jones, in the long-running 1970s crime drama, Barnaby Jones, and as John Schuck's wife, Lily Munster, in the syndicated 1980s sitcom, The Munsters Today.

Early life

Lee Ann Meriwether known as Lee Meriwether was born in Los Angeles, California 27 May 1935. The daughter of Claudius Gregg Meriwether (born. 13 October 1904 Oregon - died. 15 July 1954 San Francisco, California.) and Ethel Eve Mulligan (born. 25 March 1903 Oregon - died. 21 May 1996 Los Angeles, California). She has one brother Don Brett Meriwether born 14 May 1938 Los Angeles, California. Lee grew up in San Francisco, California after the family moved there from Phoenix, Arizona. She attended George Washington High School where one of her classmates was Johnny Mathis. She later attended San Francisco City College, where one of her classmates was fellow actor Bill Bixby.

Winning Miss San Francisco, Meriwether won Miss California, then Miss America with her recital of a John Millington Synge monologue. After her reign, she joined The Today Show. An August 1, 1956 International News wire photo of Meriwether and Joe DiMaggio announced their engagement. According to DiMaggio biographer Richard Ben Cramer, it was a rumor started by Walter Winchell.

Career

Her feature film debut was in 1959 as Linda Davis in 4D Man, starring Robert Lansing. She portrayed Catwoman in the 1966 Batman movie. She co-starred as scientist Dr. Ann MacGregor in the 1966–1967 television series The Time Tunnel. She appeared in the Star Trek episode "That Which Survives" and appeared opposite John Wayne and Rock Hudson in The Undefeated in 1969. Also in 1969, she played IMF spy Tracy Fielding in six Mission: Impossible episodes, after Barbara Bain's departure. She had a long co-starring role as private detective Betty Jones in the 1973–1980 series Barnaby Jones opposite Buddy Ebsen.

In the 1970s and 1980s, she appeared on Circus of the Stars four times. She also served as a panelist on the game show Match Game. Between 1988-91, she had a three year run reprising Lilly Munster opposite John Schuck's Herman in The Munsters Today.

In the 1990s, she appeared as herself on an episode of Space Ghost: Coast to Coast. She had a memorable exchange with Zorak, in which she said, "For my money, Julie was the best Catwoman." Zorak, portraying the evil "Batmantis," replied, "Give me your money," followed by a Batman-esque sound effect meant to signify escalating tension.

In 1996 Meriwether took over for Mary Fickett in the role of Ruth Martin on the soap opera All My Children. Fickett had occupied the role since its inception in 1970. However after 26 years she wanted to decrease her participation and go into semi-retirement as a recurring cast member. Negotiations with higher powers broke down and Meriwether was then recast as Ruth Martin. In 1999 ABC deemed that they were now at an impass with Lee Meriwether's agents in what was styled as a lack of communication with her agents. Mary Fickett was then brought back as a recurring cast member. After another year Fickett called it quits in December, 2000 due to the busy schedule that was ensuing. In 2002 ABC wanted to bring back the character of Ruth Martin to the canvas but Fickett remained in retirement. Meriwether was then brought back again and has been on recurring status to date.

She also appeared Off-Broadway in the interactive comedy, Grandma Sylvia's Funeral.

Personal life

Meriwether married 20 April 1958 to Frank Aletter a TV and film actor. They divorced in 1974 and are the parents of actors Kyle Aletter-Oldam born 31 May 1960 in Los Angeles, California and Lesley A. Aletter, born 12 November 1963 in Los Angeles, California. Lee remarried 21 September 1986 to current husband, Marshall Borden (Ryan's Hope, Luke Jackson #1 on One Life to Live).

External links

• Miss America entry on Lee Meriwether
• Lee Meriwether as Catwoman
• Lee Meriwether at IMDb
• Lee Meriwether at Memory Alpha

• American television actors
• American character actors
• American film actors
• American soap opera actors
• Miss America winners
• 1935 births
• Living people
• People from Los Angeles
• People from San Francisco
• City College of San Francisco alumni
• Batman film series actors