Sally Mansfield

Maria Mahder (December 3, 1923 – January 28, 2001), better known by her stage name Sally Mansfield, was an American television character actress; she also had a few small roles in feature films including one with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

Early years Known in her early years as Maria Mahder, Mansfield was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Mahder. She was a native of Chicago who graduated from Lindblom High School and attended Northwestern University.

Career Mansfield's career began in radio in New York City in 1945. She performed on soap operas and other kinds of programs and in commercials. She danced on Milton Berle's, Jack Carter's, Kate Smith's, and Ed Sullivan's television programs. TV shows on which she acted in the 1950s and 1960s included One Man's Family, Lights Out, Studio One, She was chosen from 300 who auditioned. Her character anticipated Nichelle Nichols' much more famous role as a female spaceship bridge officer on the 1960s television series Star Trek. The same year Mansfield carried the Miss Emmy torch at the Palladium during the sixth annual Academy of Television Arts & Sciences awards banquet. She is interred in Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles.

Selected television roles YearTitleRole Notes 1953 Death Valley Days Dodie Trumbull Season 2, Episode 2, "Little Washington" 1953 Death Valley Days Wilhelmina Cannon Episode, "Sego Lilies" 1961 Bachelor Father Connie Episode "The Law and Kelly Gregg" 1962 Bachelor Father Connie Episode "Kelly the Yes Man" 1962 Bachelor Father Connie Episode "Kelly's Engagement"