Catherine McLeod

Catherine McLeod (July 2, 1921 – May 11, 1997) was an American actress who made over 60 television and movie appearances between 1944 and 1976. She memorably portrayed the one woman whom James Garner's character Bret Maverick wanted to marry on the 1957 ABC/Warner Brothers television series Maverick in the episode "Rage for Vengeance".

Early years McLeod was born in Santa Monica, California. Her schooling came in an Alhambra convent. She acted in a Los Angeles little theater and studied in the Bliss-Hayden drama workshop. She worked in a movie theater in Reno and later became a chorus girl in musicals.

Career

Film McLeod's films included the leading role as a concert pianist in Frank Borzage's I've Always Loved You (1946), Courage of Lassie (1946), The Fabulous Texan (1947), Borzage's That's My Man (1947), Old Los Angeles (1948), My Wife's Best Friend (1952), A Blueprint for Murder (1953), William Witney's The Outcast (1954), Ride the Wild Surf (1964), and Lipstick (1976).

Television On October 10, 1950, McLeod starred in "Criminal's Mark" on the TV version of Suspense. She made two guest appearances on the television series Perry Mason: Lorraine Ferrell in "The Case of the Vagabond Vixen" (1957) and Nora Huxley in "The Case of the Glittering Goldfish" (1959). In both roles, she played the wife of the murder victim, but was neither the defendant nor actual murderer.

McLeod appeared in dozens of other series, including The Millionaire, Meet McGraw, Richard Diamond, Private Detective, Maverick with James Garner in the episode "A Rage for Vengeance," 77 Sunset Strip, Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, Bronco, Colt .45, Lawman (in the 1961 episode "The Prodigal Mother," with child actor Billy Booth), Bonanza, Hazel, Hawaiian Eye, Have Gun – Will Travel, The Outer Limits, The Virginian, Gunsmoke (as "Letty Rickers", an abused wife of a homesteader turned cowardly killer in S2E29's "Wrong Man" – played by her real-life husband Don Keefer), and the "Ten Thousand Horses Singing" episode of Studio One opposite James Dean and John Forsythe.

McLeod's greatest impact upon American consciousness by far, however, was as purveyor of one of the most ubiquitous catchphrases of its era when she portrayed the woman in the 1963 headache remedy Anacin television commercial, who plaintively but irritably said, "Mother, please! I'd rather do it myself!" The announcer's voiceover would then intone, "Sure you have a headache... tense, irritable.... but don't take it out on her."

Personal life McLeod married San Francisco dental student Bill Gerds in 1947. They divorced in 1949. McLeod's second husband was actor Don Keefer. They were married from May 7, 1950, until her death in 1997. They had three children.

Radio appearances Year Program Episode/source 1946 Lux Radio Theatre I've Always Loved You

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1944 The Tiger Woman Temple Dancer Serial [Chs. 1–2], uncredited The Thin Man Goes Home Daughter Uncredited1945 Forever Yours Martha 1946 The Harvey Girls Louise Uncredited Courage of Lassie Alice Merrick I've Always Loved You Myra Hassman 1947 That's My Man Ronnie Grange The Fabulous Texan Alice Sharp 1948 Old Los Angeles Marie Marlowe 1950 So Young, So Bad Miss [Ruth] Levering 1952 My Wife's Best Friend Jane Richards 1953 Sword of Venus Claire A Blueprint for Murder Maggie Sargent 1954 The Outcast Alice Austin 1958 Return to Warbow Kathleen Fallam 1961 Tammy Tell Me True Mrs. Bateman The Sergeant Was a Lady Major Hay 1963 The Virginian Amy Sturgis Episode "To Make This Place Remember"1964 Ride the Wild Surf Mrs. Kilua 1976 Lipstick Vogue Lady 1994 The Story of Lassie Herself Final film