Agnes Moorehead

Date of Birth: December 6, 1900

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: April 30, 1974

Biography

Agnes Robertson Moorehead was an iconic American actress whose career spanned over four decades, making significant contributions to film, radio, television, and theater. Born on December 6, 1900, in Clinton, Massachusetts, Moorehead developed an early interest in performing arts and pursued her passion through rigorous academic training. She graduated from Muskingum College in Ohio, earned a master’s degree in English and public speaking from the University of Wisconsin, and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Moorehead’s career began in radio, where she gained fame for her work on Orson Welles’ “Mercury Theatre on the Air.” Her film debut came in 1941 with a role in Welles’ acclaimed movie “Citizen Kane.” Over the years, she built an impressive filmography, earning four Academy Award nominations for her roles in “The Magnificent Ambersons” (1942), “Mrs. Parkington” (1944), “Johnny Belinda” (1948), and “Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte” (1964). Despite her success in film, Moorehead is perhaps best remembered for her television role as Endora, the meddling mother-in-law in the popular sitcom “Bewitched,” which aired from 1964 to 1972. Her performance earned her six Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Moorehead was also known for her powerful stage presence, appearing in numerous Broadway productions throughout her career. Her dedication to her craft and versatile talent left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Agnes Moorehead passed away on April 30, 1974, in Rochester, Minnesota, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable performances that continue to be celebrated by audiences and critics alike.

5 Interesting Facts about Agnes Moorehead

1. Agnes Moorehead was part of Orson Welles’ Mercury Theatre and worked with him on the famous radio broadcast of “The War of the Worlds.”

2. She was a devout Presbyterian and often incorporated her faith into her public persona.

3. Moorehead was fluent in five languages: English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

4. She was one of the first actresses to transition successfully from radio to film and then to television.

5. Moorehead was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 for her contributions to television.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Agnes Moorehead

1. “I’ve worked extensively in radio, and in pictures, and on the stage, and in television. And I think that I’ve learned a great deal. I’ve learned to work in all mediums. I think the greatest benefit has been the challenge.”

2. “I am not a great lady. I don’t claim to be a great actress. I just claim to be a working woman.”

3. “I’ve been fortunate. I’ve been able to choose the kind of work I wanted to do.”

4. “Acting is a form of confession.”

5. “I’ve always found that the best way to get through life is to be yourself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career, Agnes Moorehead’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, a substantial sum for the era in which she worked.

Children

Agnes Moorehead did not have any children. She was married twice, first to actor John Griffith Lee from 1930 to 1952, and then to actor Robert Gist from 1954 until their divorce in 1958.