Bella Bruck

Bella Bruck (December 11, 1911 – April 5, 1982) was an American character actress known for her expressive face, comic timing, and recurring portrayals of eccentric, loud, or ethnic maternal figures, she was a reliable supporting performer in both mainstream and cult productions.

Early life Bella Bruck was born December 11, 1911, in The Bronx, New York. She studied drama under movement specialist Benjamin Zemach, whose physically expressive style would influence Bruck’s acting throughout her career. One of her classmates in these classes was Alan Arkin, though the two would not appear on screen together until much later in life.

Career The career of Bruck in television began in the early 1960s, quickly establishing her as a scene-stealing comic character actress. Her breakout performance came in the sitcom Angel (1961), where she portrayed Mrs. Spiegelman, a French-accented friend who impersonates the main character’s mother. The episode, titled “Little White Lie,” received praise from critics who said Bruck “stole the show.”

In 1964, Bruck guest-starred in two comedic segments on The Red Skelton Hour. She played Laughing Bankbook’s mother in a sketch and also portrayed Skelton’s wife in the Silent Spot, showcasing her physical comedy skills.

She appeared in a 1965 episode of Tammy titled “The Aristocratic Tates,” where she played Grundy Tate’s swamp-dwelling sister. Though she had only three words of dialogue, her performance was well received. . Also in 1965, she was Maria The Duenna in The Addams Family (episode Morticia's Dilemma)

In 1978, Bruck guest-starred in a rerun episode of Maude involving a visit from Aunt Tinkie.

Her final known television appearance was in the 1980 ABC pilot The Ugilly Family, where she played Tillie, the mother-in-law of a working-class family that moves to California.

Bruck also performed in several stage productions throughout her career. She was cast in the 1962 West Coast premiere of the Broadway musical comedy A Family Affair at the Cameo Playhouse in Hollywood.

In 1970, she starred in the original play Bandicoot at the Actor’s Theatre Company in Los Angeles. Her performance as a Jewish matron was praised for its comedic presence and authority.

Personal life On November 30, 1961, Bruck issued a statement to clarify that she was alive following the publication of a mistaken death notice in the Los Angeles Times. She humorously added that she remained “in circulation” and available for acting roles.

Death Bella Bruck died on April 5, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 70.

Selected filmography

Film + Film Year Title Role Notes 1965 The Loved One Mrs. Bernstein 1966 The Glass Bottom Boat Minor Role 1967 Divorce American Style Celia 1968 The Legend of Lylah Clare Madame (uncredited) 1968 How Sweet It Is! Woman 1969 Justine Fat Woman (uncredited) 1972 Last of the Red Hot Lovers Cashier (Harriet) 1974 Black Eye Woman on the Beach 1974 For Pete’s Sake Lady in Supermarket 1978 The Cheap Detective Scrub Woman 1979 Van Nuys Blvd. Mrs. Zass 1980 Alligator Dot (or minor role) 1980 The Gong Show Movie Nurse #1 1981 Scream Maggie

Television

+ Television Year Title Role Notes 1952 Death Valley Days Maudie 1956 The Dinah Shore Chevy Show Mother 1957 Wagon Train Deet’s 2nd Daughter 1957 Maverick Mamacita 1958 U.S. Marshal Mrs. Kline 1959 The Twilight Zone Woman Yelling for Son Uncredited 1959 Adventures in Paradise Elizabeth 1960 The Slowest Gun in the West Indian Woman 1960 My Three Sons Madame Marushka 1960 Guestward Ho! Mrs. Crazy Horse 1961 Angel Mrs. Spiegelman Episode: "Little White Lie" 1962 Gypsy Stage Mother Uncredited 1963 Vacation Playhouse Unknown 1963 My Favorite Martian Mrs. Gallup 1964 The Munsters Momma 1964 The Addams Family Maria the Duenna Episode: "Morticia's Dilemma" 1964 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Apartment Manager 1964 Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Elderly Lady 1965 F Troop Old Squaw – Wild Turkey 1965 Honey West Mexican Woman 1965 Tammy Sybelline Tate Swamp sister 1966 That Girl Martha 1966 Hey, Landlord! Flo 1967 Good Morning World Fifi 1967 The Danny Thomas Hour Oracle of the Cave 1967 Mannix Aggie LeFarge Episode: "A Question of Murder" 1968 The Mod Squad Mrs. Wollitzer 1969 The Brady Bunch Gladys Harris 1969 Love, American Style The Guard Segment: "The Lady Prisoner" 1970 McCloud Joanne Newman 1970 The Odd Couple Aunt Lucille Episode: S3E17 1971 Nanny and the Professor Landlady 1971 Something Evil Mrs. Gehrmann TV movie 1972 Last of the Red Hot Lovers Cashier TV movie version 1972 Maude Aunt Tinkie Also appeared in 1978 1972 The Waltons Unknown Guest role 1973 Lotsa Luck Lady With Purse 1 Episode 1974 Rhoda Various roles Guest appearances 1975 Doc Guest role 1976 Baretta Various roles 1976 Delvecchio Guest role 1977 Serpico Guest role 1977 Baby I’m Back Guest role 1979-1980 One Day at a Time Guest role 1981 The Facts of Life Guest role 1980 The Ugilly Family Tillie TV pilot

Theatre A Family Affair (1962, Cameo Playhouse) Bandicoot (1970, Actor’s Theatre Company)