Lu Leonard

Lu Leonard (born Mary Lou Price; June 5, 1926 – May 14, 2004) credited also as Lou Leonard, was an American character actress who appeared in numerous television series, theatre and, briefly, film. She was the daughter of actor Hal Price. She was best known for her role as Mrs. Pugh in Annie.

Biography Early life Leonard was born Mary Lou Price in Long Beach, New York to stage and screen actor Hal Price, notable for his film with Republic Pictures and Amy Goodrich. She appeared on stage at 1 month with her vaudevillian parents, whom she would later write a play about entitled "Goodrick and Price”.

Career Television and film She began acting in TV roles from the early 1950s onwards including as Theodosia in the Life of Riley television sitcom. Her first major appearance was as the wife of Three Stooges member Larry Fine in the film Husbands Beware. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Leonard made television appearances on such shows as Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, The Facts of Life, Knight Rider and Married... with Children. Leonard also played Aunt Grace in Roseanne Barr's 1987 HBO comedy special The Roseanne Barr Show. Her most memorable was in a recurring role as William Conrad's wise-cracking secretary in Jake and the Fatman. She had small but memorable roles in Starman and Micki + Maude. One of Leonard's visible credits was playing the singing Angel Scribe II in the late 1960s Hallmark television musical special, The Littlest Angel.

Theatre She appeared in theatre productions including national tours of Plain and Fancy, Oliver! and Man of La Mancha. Broadway roles included The Happiest Girl in the World, The Gay Life, Drat! The Cat!, Bravo Giovanni and The Pajama Game.

During the 1970s and 1980s she became a regional celebrity in the Los Angeles Theatre circuit for her outrageous portrayal as a lesbian head matron in the play Women Behind Bars.

Film and voice In 1982, she appeared as Oliver Warbucks' maid Mrs. Pugh in the film Annie. She also performed voices in the Hanna-Barbera version of the 1990 animated TV series Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1990 TV series), and played Mrs. Chang in the 1990 live-action Aladdin television film.

Personal life and death Leonard never married or had children. Health problems (including diabetes) eventually set in and she left Hollywood in 1995, living primarily in Oregon. She moved into the Motion Picture Country Home in Woodland Hills, California, where she spent her remaining years. She died of a heart attack on May 14, 2004, at age 77. A bench in the Roddy McDowall garden at the Motion Picture Home has been dedicated in her memory.

Filmography Film and television Year Title Role Notes My Little Margie Episode: "Health Farm" Thedosia Episode: "Riley and the Boss' Niece" Sister of Mexican Man / Plump Lady in Soda Shop 2 episodes December Bride Husbands Beware Dora - Larry's Wife Short film Heavy Woman Uncredited Route 66 Madame Thornton Episode: "Only by Cunning Glimpses" Car 54, Where Are You? Mrs. Dobernack / Shopper 2 episodes Nurse Episode: "Double Date" Television film Nurse Gomez Episode: "Angels and the Bums" Last of the Good Guys Heavy Woman Television film Police Woman Messenger Lady / The Rich Lady 2 episodes Mork & Mindy Lady #1 Episode: "Dr. Morkenstein" Laverne & Shirley Dotty Episode: "Not Quite South of the Border" Make Me an Offer Mrs. Gordon Television film Annie Mrs. Pugh Buffalo Bill Joan Seegar Masseuse Episode: "TKO" Knight Rider Mable Episode: "Diamonds Aren't a Girl's Best Friend" We Got It Made Corky Episode: "The Break-Up: Part 2" Legmen Uncle George Episode: "Poseidon Indenture" Cagney & Lacey Episode: "Matinee" Faerie Tale Theatre Mother Toad Episode: "Thumbelina" Night Court Mother Frances Episode: "The Nun" Starman Roadhouse Waitress Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo Micki & Maude Nurse Mary Verbeck Stand Alone Mrs. Whitehead Tall Tales & Legends Queen Victoria Fraud Squad Television film Riptide Bella Episode: "Dead Men Don't Floss" Episode: "The Apartment" Pros and Cons Dolly Television film Herself Television special Who's the Boss? Mrs. Hiller Episode: "The Way We Was" Fraulein Stinkenschmidt She's the Sheriff Princess Babushka Episode: "The Golden Streak" You Can't Hurry Love Miss Friggit My Two Dads Ethel Baumgartner Married... with Children DeGroot Episode: "He Thought He Could" Hooperman Nurse Jordan Episode: "Who Do You Truss?" Jake and the Fatman Gertrude Reilly 10 episodes Shadowzone Mrs. Cutter Growing Pains Guard Episode: "Carol in Jail" Without You I'm Nothing Ingrid Horn - Sandra's Manager Circuitry Man Juice Amen Heather Fetlock Episode: "Judge Deacon Frye" Aladdin Mrs. Chang Television film Winnie Dexeil's Class Episode: "The Best Thanksgiving Ever" Uncle Buck Ms. Crappier 3 episodes Kuffs Harriet Made in America Sperm Bank Nurse Daddy Dearest Aggie Episode: "Jaws, Too" Nanny #2 Episode: "The Nanny-in-Law" Blank Check Udowitz Get Smart Nurse Scrum Episode: "Liver Let Die" Man of the Year Dee Dee Sweatman Final film role