Yvonne Wilder

Yvonne Wilder (born Yvonne Othon, September 21, 1937 – November 24, 2021) was an American actress, comedian, writer, and artist. She appeared in West Side Story on stage and in the 1961 film, and had a busy career in American television from the 1960s into the 1990s.

Early life Yvonne Othon was born in the Bronx, New York City. Her parents were from Cuba and Puerto Rico, but Othon did not learn to speak Spanish as a child. She attended the High School for Performing Arts, with further training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Career As a young actress and dancer, Yvonne Othon appeared in shows starring Imogene Coca and Carol Burnett. While she was studying in London, Othon appeared in a West End production of West Side Story, and later played Anita in the first international touring company of the show. Othon's first screen credit was as Consuelo in West Side Story (1961). She and Rita Moreno were among the few Puerto Rican performers playing Puerto Rican characters in the film, and they both worked with Natalie Wood on her accent as Maria. She attended some reunion events related to West Side Story. and in Silent Movie (1976), Bloodbrothers (1978), Why Not Stay for Breakfast? (1979), The Last Married Couple in America (1980), and Seems Like Old Times (1980).

Most of Wilder's work was in television, including roles in Hennesey (1962), The Tenth Month (1979), One Day at a Time (1979), Archie Bunker's Place (1981–1982), Mama's Family (1983), Gimme a Break! (1986–1987), 227 (1988), The Equalizer (1986–1989), and Full House (1988–1991).

Wilder was also half of a comedy duo with Jack Colvin. Later in life, she was a painter and sculptor,

Filmography

Film + Yvonne Wilder film credits Year Title Role 1961 West Side Story Consuelo 1971 The Return of Count Yorga Jennifer Nelson 1976 Silent Movie Studio Chief's Secretary 1978 Bloodbrothers Phyllis De Coco (uncredited) 1979 Why Not Stay for Breakfast? Helen 1980 The Last Married Couple in America Margrette 1980 Seems Like Old Times Aurora De La Hoya

Television

+ Yvonne Wilder television credits Year Title Role Notes 1962 Hennesey Waitress / Wave Corpsman Bertha Bartosik 2 episodes 1964 CBS Workshop 1 episode 1967 Hey, Landlord Secretary 1 episode 1969 Bracken's World Esta Goldman 1 episode 1969–1970 Room 222 Mrs. Guerroro / Mrs. Musgrove 2 episodes 1972 The Mary Tyler Moore Show Barbara Gardner 1 episode 1972 The Courtship of Eddie's Father Kathy 1 episode 1971–1972 The Partridge Family Waitress / Sheila 4 episodes 1973 The Girl with Something Extra Taffy 1 episode 1974 Death Sentence Elaine Croft TV movie 1975–1976 On the Rocks Lillian 2 episodes 1976 The Practice Mrs. Widdicomb Episode: "The Snow Job" 1977 Police Story Angie 1 episode 1977–1978 Operation Petticoat Major Edna Howard 23 episodes 1979 The Tenth Month Mrs. Figueroa TV movie 1979 One Day at a Time Dr. Bradshaw 1 episode 1981–1982 Archie Bunker's Place Katherine Logan 4 episodes 1983 Mama's Family Scarlett May Dubois 1 episode 1986–1987 Gimme a Break! (various) 5 episodes 1986–1989 The Equalizer Lettie 1988 227 Anna Gonzales 1 episode 1988–1991 Full House Irene Katsopolis 7 episodes

Personal life Wilder married five times. Her third husband was Bob Kelljan (Robert Kelluchian). Her fifth husband was Zach Kleiman. She had one son, Chris. She died at home in Los Angeles on November 24, 2021, at the age of 84.