Billie Bird

Billie Bird Sellen (February 28, 1908 – November 27, 2002), better known professionally as Billie Bird, was an American character actress and comedian. She played Margie in Dear John (1988–1992).

Early life Born in Pocatello, Idaho, Bird was discovered at the age of eight while living at an orphanage. As a child, she worked in vaudeville, including an act with the King Sisters, and later in theater/cabaret before moving on to television and films.

Career She is credited with an appearance in a 1921 film Grass Widowers, but it is not clear if this is accurate. Otherwise, she broke into films in 1950, later making a brief, uncredited appearance in The Odd Couple as a chambermaid. Her only line was "Goodnight", which was said to Felix Ungar, who responded, "Goodbye." Bird often was cast by director John Hughes and appeared in many of his 1980 and 1990s films, such as Sixteen Candles (1984), Home Alone (1990), and Dennis the Menace (1993), the latter two of which both paired her with veteran Hughes actor Bill Erwin playing her husband. She also starred as Mrs. Lois Feldman in Police Academy 4 (1987) and Mrs. Stanwyck in Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989). Her last film appearance was in 1995's Jury Duty, with Pauly Shore.

In addition to films, Bird made numerous appearances on various television series, including roles on The Waltons, Eight Is Enough, Happy Days, Silver Spoons, Ironside, The Facts of Life, Who's the Boss?, Knots Landing, and The Wonder Years. She was also a regular cast member on the sitcoms It Takes Two in 1982, Benson from 1984 to 1986, and in 1988 Dear John starring Judd Hirsch. Her last acting role was a brief appearance in 1997 on an episode of the sitcom George and Leo, which starred Bob Newhart and Bird's former co-star, Hirsch.

Bird entertained troops in Vietnam with her own variety act, "Flying High With Billie Bird." For her efforts, she was one of the few women to ever be made an honorary member of the Green Berets.

Death Bird died on November 27, 2002, in Granada Hills, California, at the age of 94 after several years of Alzheimer's disease.

Filmography + Film Year Title Role Notes 1950 Dallas School Teacher Uncredited 1951 The Mating Season Mugsy 1951 The Lemon Drop Kid Racetrack Bettor on Iron Bar Uncredited 1951 Darling, How Could You! Rosie 1951 Rhubarb Mona Lizzie Uncredited 1951 Journey into Light Gertie 1952 Anything Can Happen Bus Passenger Uncredited 1952 Just Across the Street Pearl 1952 My Man and I Waitress Uncredited 1952 Somebody Loves Me Essie 1952 My Wife's Best Friend Katie Uncredited 1953 Half a Hero Ernestine 1954 Woman's World Woman in Bargain Basement UncreditedAlternative title: A Woman's World 1957 The Joker Is Wild Ticket Seller / Cashier Uncredited 1957 Panama Sal Woman Manager 1958 Unwed Mother Gertie 1959 Born to Be Loved Drunk's wife 1959 Blue Denim Woman Uncredited 1960 Too Soon to Love Mrs. Jefferson Alternative title: Teenage Lovers 1961 The Cat Burglar Mrs. Prattle 1961 Secret of Deep Harbor Mama Miller 1966 The Las Vegas Hillbillys Aunt Clem 1966 This Property Is Condemned Party Guest Uncredited 1967 Barefoot in the Park Drunken neighbor Uncredited 1968 The Odd Couple Chambermaid Uncredited 1970 Getting Straight Landlady 1972 Stand Up and Be Counted Uncredited 1982 Young Doctors in Love Mrs. Greschler the Flower Lady 1983 Max Dugan Returns Older Woman 1984 Sixteen Candles Dorothy Baker (Grandmother) 1986 One Crazy Summer Grandma 1986 Ratboy Psychic 1987 Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol Mrs. Lois Feldman 1988 Ernest Saves Christmas Mary Morrissey 1989 That's Adequate Old Lillian Darling 1989 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege Mrs. Stanwyck 1990 The End of Innocence Mrs. Yabledablov 1990 Home Alone Irene (woman in airport) 1993 Dennis the Menace Edith Butterwell 1995 Jury Duty Rose

+ Television Year Title Role Notes 1958 Letter to Loretta Mrs. Shubb 1 episode 1971 Adam-12 Winnie Goodrich 1 episode 1973 Gunsmoke Old Woman 1 episode 1974 Apple's Way Lillian 1 episode 1976–1977 The Waltons Mrs. CoxShirley 2 episodes 1982 House Calls 1 episode 1982–1983 It Takes Two Mama 22 episodes 1983 Goodnight, Beantown 1 episode 1984–1986 Benson Mrs. Endicott / Rose Cassidy Series Regular: Season 7 1984 Newhart Ella 1 episode 1984 Happy Days Mother Kelp (Marion Cunningham's Mother) 1 episode 1984 Three's a CrowdAunt Mae (Jack Tripper's Aunt) 1 episode 1985 Remington Steele Anna Dix 1 episode 1986 Hardcastle and McCormick Mimi LeGrand 1 episode 1986–1987Brothers Aunt Wilhelmina (Donald Maltby's aunt) 3 episodes 1986–1987 Silver Spoons Mildred 2 episodes 1987 Max Headroom Florence 1 episode 1987 Cheers Lillian Miller 1 episode 1988–1992 Dear John Margie Philbert 90 episodes 1988 Hunter Marie Watson 1 episode 1992 Murphy Brown Ruthie 1 episode 1993 The Wonder Years Woman 2 episodes 1997 George and Leo 1 episode, (final appearance)