Doro Merande

Dora Matthews (March 31, 1892 – November 1, 1975), better known by her stage name Doro Merande, was an American actress who appeared in film, theater, and television.

Early years Merande was born on March 31, 1892 in Columbus, Kansas. She was the daughter of William Freeman Matthews (1849 – 1915) and Emma Adelia Matthews (née Simkins; 1855 – 1930), and the youngest of three children. Merande said her family discouraged her interest in the theater as a child, telling her she had a flat voice and calling the industry "wicked."

Stage actress Merande found her first part in a small summer company in Massachusetts. She coveted Broadway parts during the Great Depression. Her career began with the Jules Levanthal Company.

She appeared on Broadway using her birth name in That Ferguson Family (1928) and Montmartreas (1922). Her first Broadway appearance as Doro Merande was as "Sophie Tuttle" in Loose Moments in 1935. Soon she was cast in One Good Year, Red Harvest, and Angel Island. Bringing Up Buddy (CBS sitcom, 1960–1961) - Aunt Iris Flower Thriller (1961) - Melba Pennaroyd The Defenders (1962) - Augusta Mills Sam Benedict (1963) - Elizabeth Campbell The Twilight Zone (1963, Episode: "The Bard") - Sadie That Was the Week That Was (TW3) (NBC satirical revue, 1964; she appeared in numerous episodes, notably with Margaret Hamilton as quirky New Hampshire voters during the year's presidential election campaign.) The Jackie Gleason Show (1966–1970) - Emma Beauregard

Death In the evening of October 30, 1975, Merande was at the Olympia Theater in Miami, Florida when she suffered either a stroke or a heart attack and collapsed. She died two days later, on November 1, 1975, at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Though Merande lived on 39th Street in Manhattan, New York City, she'd traveled to Florida to film the 25th anniversary television special of The Honeymooners with Jackie Gleason. She was reportedly cremated.

Merande never publicly disclosed her age, which lead to some discrepancies when news outlets reported her death; some publications reported she was 65 while The New York Times estimated her to be in her 70s. She was 83.

Merande was never reported to have married or had children, and her parents and siblings predeceased her.