Florence Sundstrom

Florence E. "Flo" Sundstrom (February 9, 1918 – June 25, 2001) was an American actress who had an active career in theatre, television, and film. A prominent character actress on Broadway from 1936 to 1959, she notably created the roles of Bella in the world premiere of Anita Loos's Happy Birthday in 1946, Bessie in the world premiere of Tennessee Williams's The Rose Tattoo in 1951, and Mrs. Marie "Fatty" Pert in Ketti Frings's Look Homeward, Angel in 1957. She made her film debut as Flora in the film adaptation of The Rose Tattoo in 1955, and thereafter remained active as a character actress in American television and film into the 1990s. She was a main cast member in the 1955–1956 season of The Life of Riley, portraying a new neighbor of the Riley family.

Life and career Florence E. Sundstrom was born February 9, 1918, in New York City, the younger of two daughters of U.S. Navy Captain Einar William Sundstrom and Jetta Marie (Osmundsen) Sundstrom. She was educated at Great Neck High School, and studied acting, music, and dance in New York and Galveston, Texas, where she made her stage debut in 1922.

She made her Broadway debut as a replacement in Parnell during its 1935–1936 run at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, She starred as a character actress in numerous plays on Broadway through 1959, including Chester Erskine's The Good (Oct 1938, as Rose Dubrowski ), Irwin Shaw's Retreat to Pleasure (1940 -1941, as Lenore Trilling ), Charles MacArthur's Johnny on a Spot (1942, as Barbara Webster ), Robert Stolz's Mr. Strauss Goes to Boston (1945, as Pepi ), Fay Kanin's Goodbye, My Fancy (1948–1949, as Ellen Griswold ), Tennessee Williams's The Rose Tattoo (1951, as Bessie ), Mary Helen Fay's Faithfully Yours (1951, as Gracie ), N. Richard Nash's See the Jaguar (1952, as Mrs. Meeker ), and Ketti Frings's Look Homeward, Angel (1957–1959, as Mrs. Marie "Fatty" Pert ).

In film Sundstrom appeared in The Rose Tattoo (1955, as Flora, The Vagabond King (1956, as Laughing Margot ), Spring Reunion (1957, as Mary ), Bachelor in Paradise (1961, as Mrs. Pickering ), The Last Challenge (1967, as Outdoors ), Stitches (1985, as a maid ), and Pacific Heights (1990, as Mrs. Thayer ).

Sundstrom joined the main cast of the television series The Life of Riley for the 1955–1956 season after the Riley family moved and they were given new neighbors portrayed by Sundstrom and George O'Hanlon.

Sundstorm married baritone and musical theatre actor and radio personality Ronald Graham on December 20, 1940, who died in 1950, aged 38. Sundstorm died in Los Angeles on June 25, 2001, at the age of 83.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1955 The Rose Tattoo Flora 1956 The Vagabond King Laughing Margot 1957 Spring Reunion Mary 1961 Bachelor in Paradise Mrs. Pickering 1966 The Defector Landlady 1967 The Last Challenge Outdoors 1977 The World's Greatest Lover Aunt Tillie 1985 Stitches Maid 1990 Pacific Heights Mrs. Thayer

Television Year Title Role Notes1955-1956 The Life of Riley Belle Dudley Main cast 1963 Bonanza Daisy Episode: Rich Man, Poor Man1961 Hazel Minna Episode: "Winter Wonderland"1962HazelFloEpisode: "How to Lure an Epicure"1964 Hazel Mrs. Jeffries Episode: "The Fashion Show"1965 The World's Greatest Lover Matilda; Episode: "Bonnie Boy" 1965 I Dream of Jeannie Jeannie's Mother Episode: "My Hero?" 1965 12 O'Clock High Nell Forrester 1967 The Wild Wild West Mrs. Moore Episode: "The Night of the Circus of Death"1971 The F.B.I.LandladyEpisode: "The Recruiter"1971 Marcus Welby, M.D.MarianEpisode:"False Spring"1974 CannonSgt. MaryEpisode:"Avenger"1976 The Streets of San FranciscoManagerEpisode:"Runaway"1977 The Streets of San FranciscoLydia BeauchampsEpisode:"Dead Life"1977 Quincy, M.E.Mrs. HawleyEpisode:"A Dead Man's Truth"1978 Barnaby JonesMrs. NicholsonEpisode:"Hitchhike to Terror "1995 Barnaby JonesBeverly's friendEpisode:"Shower the People You Love With Stuff"1998 JAGFrances Roland Episode: "The Return of Jimmy Blackhorse"