In Memory of TV's Beloved 'Petticoat Junction' Star Bea Benederet: 6 Decades After Her Tragic Death

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It's been nearly sixty years since beloved actress Bea Benederet died from lung cancer in 1968. Best known for her role as Kate Bradley, on TV's iconic 1960s country comedy, Petticoat Junction,” Benederet's poor health forced her to leave the series before it ended its run.

A Closer Look

In the years prior to her demise, Bea Benederet enjoyed a solid career in radio and TV. Alhough rarely credited, Benaderet was the voice of several female characters in many Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons. Notably, Benederet provided the voice for Betty Rubble, in the first few seasons of The Flintstones animated series.

Benederet was also Lucille Ball's original choice for the role of Ethel Mertz on the sitcom I Love Lucy. A few years later, she had auditioned to play Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies, another CBS rural comedy of the era, but was cast as Cousin Pearl Bodine.

Early in Her Career

In 1936, Bea Benederet joined Orson Welles' radio show, The Campbell Playhouse, and received her first big break when she became a regular on Jack Benny's big radio show, where she created memorable characters such as Gertrude Gearshift. A major radio staple at the time, her numerous appearances included the comedies The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Great Gildersleeve, and Fibber McGee and Molly. She also played Lucille Ball's best friend on radio's My Favorite Husband, which was the precursor to television's I Love Lucy (1951).

She later went on to appear on TV's Jack Benny Program and served as the first voiceover for Betty Rubble on the beloved 1960s animated series, The Flintstones.

After her passing, Benederet was replaced on Petticoat Junction by actress June Lockhart (who played Dr. Janet Craig), best known for the original version of TV's sci-fi classic Lost in Space.

Conclusion

The talent and humor of Bea Benederet, along with her immense body of work, will be forever cherished by her countless fans around the world.