Rose Constance Gilchrist (July 17, 1895 – March 3, 1985) was an American stage, film and television actress. Among her screen credits are roles in the Hollywood productions Cry 'Havoc' (1943), A Letter to Three Wives (1949), Little Women (1949), Tripoli (1950), Houdini (1953), Some Came Running (1958) and Auntie Mame (1958).
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Early years
Gilchrist was born in Brooklyn, New York and attended Assumption Academy. Her mother, Martha Daniels, was an actress.
Career
Gilchrist debuted on stage in London at age 22 in 1917. In Hollywood, she was signed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to a 10-year contract in 1939.
After playing Purity Pinker in the 1954 film Long John Silver, Gilchrist reprised her role, as did Robert Newton, in the television series The Adventures of Long John Silver. She is perhaps best known today for her role as Norah Muldoon in the 1958 film Auntie Mame and her role in the 1949 film A Letter to Three Wives, in which she exclaims the iconic line "Bingo" while fainting. She was also seen on television's General Electric Theater.
Gilchrist's Broadway credits include Ladies and Gentlemen, Work Is for Horses, Excursion and Mulato.
Personal life
Gilchrist married Edward O'Hanlon in 1922. Their daughter, Dorothy, was also an actress.
She was involved in a lawsuit in 1961, charging that a hair dresser had permanently damaged her scalp when tinting her hair. A news report said, "She contended that she is now confined to grandmotherly roles because her scalp will stand no more dyeing." She sought $50,000 in damages, but received $5,000 ($53,900 today) in a settlement.
Death
Connie Gilchrist died on March 3, 1985 at the age of 89 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her husband died on December 13, 1983. She is interred at Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe.
Television credits
Leave It to Beaver (1957) as Minerva, a maid, in the episode "Captain Jack"
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1959) as Pinkie Thomason in episode "Pinkeytown"
The Restless Gun (1958) as Aunt Emma in Episode "Aunt Emma"
The Real McCoys (1961) as Mrs. Jensen
The Tall Man as Big Mamacita in the episode "The Great Western" (1961)
Going My Way, as Mrs. Reardon in "Blessed Are the Meek" (1963)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1962) (Season 7 Episode 15: "The Door Without a Key") as Maggie Vanderman
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1963) (Season 1 Episode 25: "The Long Silence") as Emma
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1963) (Season 2 Episode 1: "A Home Away from Home") as Martha
Perry Mason (1964) (Season 7, Episode 2: "The Case of the Frightened Fisherman" as Mrs Pennyworth
The Twilight Zone, as Mrs. Feeney in "In Praise of Pip" (1963)
Daniel Boone, as Keziah Tench in "Cains Birthday" (1965)
Perry Mason as Natasha in “The Case of the Scarlet Scandal” (1966)
