Florence MacMichael

Florence MacMichael (April 26, 1919 – May 28, 1999) was an American character actress of stage, film and television, best known for playing Winnie Kirkwood in the television series Mister Ed.

Early life and education MacMichael was born on April 26, 1919, in Hagerstown, Maryland, to Mary Adele (née Wahl) and Roy Alexander MacMichael Sr. He taught at the Hagerstown School of Music. Her mother performed with the Potomac Playmakers. Her brother played guitar as a member of The Imperials. in Out of the Frying Pan with the Hilltop Theatre in Ellicott City, Maryland, resulted in her going to Broadway with the show when it premiered in February 1941.

On television MacMichael was cast in a recurring role as Florence Pearson in the sitcom My Three Sons (1960–1961), and as Barney Fife's girlfriend in two episodes of The Andy Griffith Show. She also performed in several episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on The Twilight Zone episode "Mr. Bevis", on the Western series The Tall Man in "Millionaire MacBean", as well as on other television series such Bachelor Father, Dennis the Menace, The Donna Reed Show, and Alcoa Premiere.

MacMichael was active in local theater as both an actress and director. She was the founder of the Sierra Madre Studio Players and worked too at the Pasadena Playhouse. By the late 1970s, she began teaching stage acting at the Pasadena Repertory Theatre inside The Hotel Carver. One of her more notable exercises in instructing method acting was to have her students perform like a slice of bacon frying on a hot skillet.

Personal life MacMichael was married twice, first to Sebryn Myers (another source says Sellwyn Myers, married in February 1944 on Long Island ) and then to James McCoy. She had two children, a son and a daughter (both with Myers ). In 1999, at age 80, she died in Cambria in San Luis Obispo County, California.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1943 Young and Willing Muriel Foster 1959 Woman Obsessed Mrs. Bedelia Gibbs 1960 Let's Make Love Receptionist Uncredited1961 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Mrs. Simmons Season 6 Episode 21: "The Kiss-Off"1961 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Mrs. Hackett Season 6 Episode 33: "A Secret Life"1961 The Children's Hour Minor Role Uncredited1962 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Alice Season 7 Episode 27: "Act of Faith"1962 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Daisy Season 1 Episode 7: "Annabel"1968 The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit Catherine 1971 Welcome Home, Soldier Boys Danny's Mother (final film role)