Was Marion Ross going to play Beverly Ann before Cloris Leachman

[TMC]

I absolutely have know idea where this rumor came from or if there's any way that it can be verified. But supposedly, Mindy Cohn said in an interview from several years back that Marion Ross was cast as Beverly Ann and shot one episode in 1986.

But Cloris Leachman, who had recently endured the tragic suicide of her son Bryan, got wind and called Norman Lear, knowing he owned the show, directly and BEGGED him got the job. So Marion was paid and let go and Cloris was hired. Marion's episode was then reshot with Cloris.

Again, I have absolutely little proof regarding whether or not this is true behind sheer internet chatter. But Mindy Cohn in that same interview, apparently said that was "very awkward". Plus, if Marion Ross actually was an "Other Marty", then the timeline would've probably been off. If I have my facts straight, very first thing that they filmed with the Beverly Ann character was that TV movie where they went to Australia. It was filmed during the summer of 1986 and aired in February 87.

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

From what I know, it was Charlotte Rae that suggested Cloris Leachman for the role. She even suggested the name of Beverly, just like her real life sister.

Several months ago, I found an article that claimed the producers thought of Monica Warner as the new mother figure after Mrs. Garrett.

[Christopher]

If you look at Cloris's acting credits in the 80's, she was working nonstop on so many projects. I highly doubt she called Norman and begged him for work or let alone begged him to be on The Facts of Life. As much as I love FOL, Cloris is way popular than this show and didn't need it to keep busy. I feel like Mindy doesn't remember the details very well or spreading false rumors because she's the only one who has mentioned this. Since Cloris is dead, I think it's distasteful to spread rumors and if she was alive, I think it would be heartless to bring up memories of her losing her son and ask her if that's how she ended up on FOL.

[80s Dude]

So far, only Mindy ever mentioned that. We have never heard from Marion Ross stating anything about that.

[Sitcommania]

Originally Posted by Christopher

If you look at Cloris's acting credits in the 80's, she was working nonstop on so many projects. I highly doubt she called Norman and begged him for work or let alone begged him to be on The Facts of Life. As much as I love FOL, Cloris is way popular than this show and didn't need it to keep busy. I feel like Mindy doesn't remember the details very well or spreading false rumors because she's the only one who has mentioned this. Since Cloris is dead, I think it's distasteful to spread rumors and if she was alive, I think it would be heartless to bring up memories of her losing her son and ask her if that's how she ended up on FOL.

I don’t think that’s the case at all. In the interview, Mindy said that Cloris called Norman Lear to ask if he had any projects she might be able to do, so the show replaced Marion Ross with her. They thought it’d be good to have someone who was an Oscar winner and had been in another successful series. Mindy pretty much debunked the story about Charlotte Rae’s referral, and explained that Charlotte and Cloris knew each other, but weren’t close. I’m not sure if they were actually roommates. Maybe they lived in the same building or hotel? I know Mindy’s the only one who’s talked about this, but it’s not really outlandish or hard to believe.

[Impressions]

I had never heard that. I heard from the REELZ documentary that Cloris Leachman was a shoe-in and never even had to audition.

[Sitcommania]

I don’t think she auditioned, whether she was first choice or not.

[Christopher]

I don't think she auditioned for Beverly Ann either. But I definitely don't think an Oscar winning actress needs to call someone for work, or beg for work like the ridiculous claim in the first post is insinuating. Cloris had multiple projects during each year in the 80's. She didn't need Norman or FOL to keep her in a steady job. After FOL ended, she still had many projects going each year. I think it's very plausible for someone from FOL to have known Cloris and asked her to be Beverly Ann. Cloris was FOL's biggest star at the time in the 80's. I don't think she was paid what she was worth on the show. I'm sure she made less than the core four which is why I believe she was doing someone a favor to have her on.

I don't think Marion Ross is as popular as some here think she is but since some does think she is, I'm sure she would have said something about it. Many actors and actresses talk about jobs they almost had or were fired from. Cloris never said she was asking to be on this 7 year old show or that she was replacing someone. Usually replacements in projects are always talked about. FOL had so many documentaries. Why is it only Mindy on a radio interview saying something instead of a producer or director in the documentaries? I have a hard time believing Mindy on this one.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

I’m not sure if they were actually roommates.

They were. Charlotte talks about it in her book.

[Sitcommania]

Originally Posted by Christopher

I don't think she auditioned for Beverly Ann either. But I definitely don't think an Oscar winning actress needs to call someone for work, or beg for work like the ridiculous claim in the first post is insinuating. Cloris had multiple projects during each year in the 80's. She didn't need Norman or FOL to keep her in a steady job. After FOL ended, she still had many projects going each year. I think it's very plausible for someone from FOL to have known Cloris and asked her to be Beverly Ann. Cloris was FOL's biggest star at the time in the 80's. I don't think she was paid what she was worth on the show. I'm sure she made less than the core four which is why I believe she was doing someone a favor to have her on.

I don't think Marion Ross is as popular as some here think she is but since some does think she is, I'm sure she would have said something about it. Many actors and actresses talk about jobs they almost had or were fired from. Cloris never said she was asking to be on this 7 year old show or that she was replacing someone. Usually replacements in projects are always talked about. FOL had so many documentaries. Why is it only Mindy on a radio interview saying something instead of a producer or director in the documentaries? I have a hard time believing Mindy on this one.

I’m inclined to believe Mindy. It’d be such a far out fact to get wrong. She does get some details wrong (she thinks the show was in for 10 years), but she’s not really a BSer. I do think Marion Ross was a plausible choice. Happy Days had recently ended and she would have been familiar to a lot of people who had been watching her on TV for 10 years. Maybe she’s not popular now, but that’s partly because Happy Days isn’t constantly on TV anymore. isn’t constantly on TV anymore.

Also, knowing that Hollywood is not a friendly place for older women, I do think it’s plausible that Cloris Leachman felt compelled to call Norman Lear and ask about any available projects. I don’t have a lot of memories of the 80s, but based on my recollection of the 90s-00s, this widespread respect for older actresses didn’t really take place until the Betty White craze. I’m talking widespread as in everybody making a to-do on social media. I don’t mean there was 0 respect before. Something just changed around 2010. I even remember watching the original Will and Grace and wondering why Debbie Reynolds’ guest spots got smaller every year. I really thought they were wasting her time. But when she passed, the Will and Grace cast and creators spoke as if they had a huge void to fill in the revival.

This is all opinion. It’s be nice if someone wrote a behind the scenes book about Facts. Or if interviewers asked better than cutesy questions when they speak to the cast.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

It’d be such a far out fact to get wrong.

Not when it's about a 40 year old show and an actress who passed away. I think it was shortly after Cloris's passing when Mindy revealed this.

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

Also, knowing that Hollywood is not a friendly place for older women, I do think it’s plausible that Cloris Leachman felt compelled to call Norman Lear and ask about any available projects.

By 1986, Cloris had an Oscar, 5 Primetime Emmy awards, a Golden Globe award, and a Daytime Emmy Award which back in the 80's Daytime Emmy's meant something. Cloris was a huge actress. I don't think it's true she needed help to find work. She was working steady before FOL if you look at her acting credits. After FOL ended, she signed up with a new TV show with Harvey Korman. Are we really to believe she didn't have offers before FOL in 1986 to be on a TV show? She had to ask for work with her award history and name in the business? I can't believe that because unlike today's times, in the 80's and 90's awards meant something for an actor / actress. I don't think they hold much weight now in getting someone work.

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

the Betty White craze

The only reason there's craze about her is because of her appearance, not her acting. Younger generations only know of her because they like how she has the old grandmother appearance. I work in high schools and will ask a student whenever I see them wear a Golden Girls shirt or talk about Betty White. That is the main reason for a lot of them because she reminds them of their grandmother.

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

It’s be nice if someone wrote a behind the scenes book about Facts. Or if interviewers asked better than cutesy questions when they speak to the cast.

I would like more clarification on this rumor since none of the other cast are talking about it and none of the producers or directors are mentioning it.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by TMC

I absolutely have know idea where this rumor came from or if there's any way that it can be verified. But supposedly, Mindy Cohn said in an interview from several years back that Marion Ross was cast as Beverly Ann and shot one episode in 1986.

But Cloris Leachman, who had recently endured the tragic suicide of her son Bryan, got wind and called Norman Lear, knowing he owned the show, directly and BEGGED him got the job. So Marion was paid and let go and Cloris was hired. Marion's episode was then reshot with Cloris.

Again, I have absolutely little proof regarding whether or not this is true behind sheer internet chatter. But Mindy Cohn in that same interview, apparently said that was "very awkward". Plus, if Marion Ross actually was an "Other Marty", then the timeline would've probably been off. If I have my facts straight, very first thing that they filmed with the Beverly Ann character was that TV movie where they went to Australia. It was filmed during the summer of 1986 and aired in February 87.

The roots of this rumor are true, though some details have become mixed up.

Our friends at "You Might Know Her From" did an interview with Mindy in January 2021 (not a few years ago) where Mindy stated Marion Ross was originally cast as Edna's sister. She did not do any episodes. Cloris did call Norman Lear, looking for a job. So far as we know, there was no begging. Marion Ross was replaced. The Facts of Life Goes to Australia movie was filmed, and it was with Cloris. The regular season followed.

We rate this claim Mostly True.

[Sitcommania]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The roots of this rumor are true, though some details have become mixed up.

Our friends at "You Might Know Her From" did an interview with Mindy in January 2021 (not a few years ago) where Mindy stated Marion Ross was originally cast as Edna's sister. She did not do any episodes. Cloris did call Norman Lear, looking for a job. So far as we know, there was no begging. Marion Ross was replaced. The Facts of Life Goes to Australia movie was filmed, and it was with Cloris. The regular season followed.

We rate this claim Mostly True.

Thanks. I don’t think Cloris was begging for work. She was a working actress who called a creative friend to ask what he had on the table. I don’t even think that is desperate.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

Thanks. I don’t think Cloris was begging for work. She was a working actress who called a creative friend to ask what he had on the table. I don’t even think that is desperate.

I agree it's not desperate to call friends when looking for work. That's how it's often done in Hollywood and elsewhere. You work your network: your connections are your biggest asset.

I have worked in Hollywood, though my last LA production was a comic con-style interview gig in Los Angeles in November 2019, for which I was well paid, and for which I was flown out. All of my jobs in LA have been through word of mouth. You do call around. That is just working your connections. Hollywood is all about who you know, and who knows you. The industry is very much about nepotism and connections, and has been since the early days.

For example, all of the girl extras in "The Girls' School" were the friends/daughters/whatever of Hollywood producers. We've known this for years. DeJanine (sp?) and the rest. Norman Lear's god-daughters, the Segal twins, got their own Norman Lear show (they were not 16, despite what they claimed on The Tonight Show). This is just how Hollywood works.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The roots of this rumor are true, though some details have become mixed up.

Our friends at "You Might Know Her From" did an interview with Mindy in January 2021 (not a few years ago) where Mindy stated Marion Ross was originally cast as Edna's sister. She did not do any episodes. Cloris did call Norman Lear, looking for a job. So far as we know, there was no begging. Marion Ross was replaced. The Facts of Life Goes to Australia movie was filmed, and it was with Cloris. The regular season followed.

We rate this claim Mostly True.

I don't consider it mostly true and I don't see how others can. Look at the facts surrounding this rumor: Cloris never worked in Norman Lear's shows. The role she's mostly known for is Phyllis which doesn't work in the style of a Norman Lear show because he does serious shows. Why would she call Norman for work? If she was wanting a serious role, why would she take Beverly Ann that is just like Phyllis? Norman had no control over FOL during season 8. How did he get her the job when another company was producing FOL? Also, Cloris was working nonstop in the 80's. I do remember Mindy saying Cloris called Norman asking for a job. Why would she need him to help her get a job when she already had a bunch going on? She was also working on other projects the same time she was working on FOL. That doesn't sound like someone who needs a job. There's been so many documentaries on this show. Are we really to believe only Mindy remembers this every time season 8 is mentioned about Charlotte leaving and Cloris coming on? And why did she do it on a radio interview instead of on a documentary? She's been in plenty of them. It's pretty easy on a documentary to fact check that claim. That's a pretty big rumor Mindy started that no one has talked about in decades. I don't buy it. There's too many things around this rumor contradicting it.


Here's an article from 1986 stating "NBC programming czar Brandon Tartikoff suggested that Leachman join the cast as the resident chaperon in place of the departing Charlotte Rae, “we had to take the offer seriously,” Leachman said." It doesn't sound like Norman Lear had anything to do with it since he's not mentioned at all in this article. I'm choosing to believe Cloris on this one than Mindy.