Beatrice Pons

Beatrice Pons ( Posner; January 28, 1906 – June 17, 1991) was an American stage, radio, television and film character actress. She is best known for her recurring television roles on The Phil Silvers Show and Car 54, Where Are You? She appeared as "Mother" in the independent horror film Mother's Day under the name Rose Ross.

Life and career Trained as a teacher, Pons began working in chorus and minor roles on Broadway in 1934. She also had a nightclub act doing impressions of famous actresses, comedians and singers.

Pons' first television appearance was on the NBC anthology series Goodyear Television Playhouse. She may be best-remembered for her recurring roles as Mrs. Emma Ritzik on the television sitcom The Phil Silvers Show and as Lucille Toody on the sitcom Car 54, Where Are You?, with her husband in both series played by veteran comedic actor Joe E. Ross. She also made appearances on the long-running American radio-turned-television series The Goldbergs, The United States Steel Hour, and the CBS prime time drama The Nurses.

In her later years, Pons began appearing in films. In 1964 she made her film debut in the comedy Diary of a Bachelor. In 1980 she played the role of "Mother" in the cult horror film Mother's Day, in which she chose to be credited as Rose Ross (her real-life husband's surname was Ross). Her later film credits include Rachel, Rachel and Forever, Lulu.

Personal life and death Pons was married to radio personality David Ross (born David Rosenthal; July 7, 1891 – died November 12, 1975), by whom she had a son, Jonathan.

Pons died on June 17, 1991, aged 85, in New York City. She was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Saddle Brook, New Jersey.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1964 Diary of a Bachelor Bachelorette Film debut 1965 Le gendarme à New York La standardiste Uncredited role 1968 Rachel, Rachel Florence 1980 Mother's Day Mother Credited as Rose Ross 1984 Rent Control Leonard's Mother 1987 Forever, Lulu Fortune Teller

Television Year Title Role Notes 1951 Big Town Unnamed/unknown role Season 1 (guest role; 1 episode) 1952 Goodyear Television Playhouse Unnamed/unknown role Season 1 (guest role; 1 episode) 1955 Danger Unnamed/unknown role Season 1 (guest role; 1 episode) 1954–56 The Goldbergs Bella/Head Nurse Two separate guest roles (2 episodes) 1958 The United States Steel Hour Danka Season 5 (guest role; 1 episode) 1956–59 The Phil Silvers Show Mrs. Emma Ritzik Seasons 2–4 (recurring role; 14 episodes) 1959 Keep in Step Mrs. Emma Ritzik The Phil Silvers Pontiac Special 1960 Deadline Nurse Season 1 (guest role; 1 episode) 1961–63 Car 54, Where Are You? Lucille Toody Seasons 1–2 (main role; 32 episodes) 1964 The Nurses Mrs. Radnitz Season 3 (guest role; 1 episode)