NEW YORK — Joyce Randolph, an accomplished stage and television actress renowned for her portrayal of the astute Trixie Norton on The Honeymooners, offering a brilliant counterpoint to her somewhat befuddled TV husband, has passed away. She was 99.
Randolph peacefully succumbed to natural causes on Saturday night at her residence on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, as shared by her son Randolph Charles with The Associated Press on Sunday.
Her legacy marks her as the final surviving main character of the cherished comedy that graced television's golden age in the 1950s.
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The Honeymooners, a fond portrayal of Brooklyn tenement life, drew inspiration in part from star Jackie Gleason's own upbringing. Gleason took on the role of the blustery bus driver Ralph Kramden, with Audrey Meadows as his quick-witted, strong-willed wife Alice, and Art Carney as the cheerful sewer worker Ed Norton. Alice and Trixie often shared moments of commiseration over their husbands' various misadventures, whether inadvertently marketing dog food as a popular snack, grappling with a rent hike, or enduring the winter chill when their heating was cut off.
Randolph fondly recalled several cherished episodes, with one notable instance featuring Ed sleepwalking.
"And Carney calls out, 'Thelma?!' He never knew his wife's real name," she later shared with the Television Academy Foundation.
Originating in 1950 as a recurring skit on Gleason's variety show, Cavalcade of Stars, The Honeymooners quickly became a timeless favorite in television comedy. Its popularity soared when Gleason transitioned networks with The Jackie Gleason Show. Subsequently, for one season in 1955-56, it evolved into a standalone series.
These 39 episodes became a syndicated sensation, broadcasted nationwide and even beyond.
In a January 2007 interview with The New York Times, Randolph disclosed that she received no residuals for those 39 episodes. It wasn't until the unearthing of "lost" episodes from the variety hours that she began to receive royalties.
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After contributing five years to Gleason's on-the-air repertory company, Randolph essentially stepped back from the limelight, choosing to dedicate herself entirely to marriage and motherhood.
"I didn't miss a thing by not working all the time," she remarked. "I didn't want a nanny raising (my) wonderful son."
Even years after her departure from the show, Randolph continued to garner numerous admirers, receiving dozens of letters weekly. Well into her 80s, she remained a regular at the downstairs bar at Sardi's. There, she enjoyed sipping her favorite White Cadillac concoction—Dewar's and milk—and engaging in conversations with patrons who recognized her from a portrait of the sitcom's four characters displayed over the bar.
It wasn't until the early 1980s that Randolph realized the show's enduring impact on television viewers.
"One year while (my son) was in college at Yale, he came home and said, 'Did you know that guys and girls come up to me and ask, 'Is your mom really Trixie?'" she shared with The San Antonio Express in 2000. "I guess he hadn't paid much attention before then."
Earlier, she had expressed regret that playing Trixie had limited her career opportunities.
"For years after that role, directors would say: 'No, we can't use her. She's too well-known as Trixie,'" Randolph told the Orlando Sentinel in 1993.
Following Gleason's death in 1987 at the age of 71, Meadows in 1996, and Carney in 2003, Randolph was the last surviving member of the main cast. Gleason had revived The Honeymooners in the 1960s, with Jane Kean taking on the role of Trixie.
Joyce Randolph, born Joyce Sirola in Detroit in 1924, was around 19 when she joined a road company of Stage Door. She later moved to New York and performed in various Broadway shows.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, she made frequent appearances on TV, sharing the screen with stars like Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Danny Thomas, and Fred Allen.
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Randolph first encountered Gleason when she did a Clorets commercial on Cavalcade of Stars, and The Great One took a liking to her; she didn't even have an agent at the time.
During her retirement, Randolph embraced a vibrant social life, attending Broadway openings and fundraisers. She remained actively involved with the U.S.O. and continued to frequent her favorite Manhattan establishments, including Angus, Chez Josephine, and the Lambs Club.
Her husband, Richard Lincoln, a prosperous marketing executive who passed away in 1997, held the position of president at the Lambs, a prestigious theatrical club. Randolph, in turn, held the honorary title of "first lady" at the club. The couple was blessed with one son, Charles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Joyce Randolph Tribute
Who was Joyce Randolph?
Joyce Randolph was an accomplished stage and television actress best known for her portrayal of Trixie Norton on the beloved comedy series, The Honeymooners. She played the astute and quick-witted character, providing a brilliant counterpoint to her TV husband.
How did Joyce Randolph pass away?
Joyce Randolph peacefully succumbed to natural causes on a Saturday night at her residence on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Her passing was shared by her son Randolph Charles with The Associated Press on Sunday.
What is Joyce Randolph's legacy?
Joyce Randolph holds the legacy of being the final surviving main character of The Honeymooners, a cherished comedy that graced television's golden age in the 1950s.
What inspired The Honeymooners?
The Honeymooners drew inspiration, in part, from star Jackie Gleason's upbringing. The show portrayed a fond image of Brooklyn tenement life, featuring Gleason as the blustery bus driver Ralph Kramden, Audrey Meadows as his strong-willed wife Alice, and Art Carney as the cheerful sewer worker Ed Norton.
How popular was The Honeymooners?
Originating in 1950 as a recurring skit on Gleason's variety show, Cavalcade of Stars, The Honeymooners quickly became a timeless favorite in television comedy. It gained even more popularity when Gleason transitioned networks with The Jackie Gleason Show, and for one season in 1955-56, it became a standalone series with 39 episodes syndicated nationwide.
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Did Joyce Randolph receive residuals for The Honeymooners episodes?
In a 2007 interview with The New York Times, Randolph revealed that she received no residuals for the original 39 episodes. It wasn't until the discovery of "lost" episodes from the variety hours that she began to receive royalties.
How did Joyce Randolph spend her retirement?
After contributing five years to Gleason's on-the-air repertory company, Joyce Randolph stepped back from the limelight to focus on marriage and motherhood. Even during retirement, she remained a regular at the downstairs bar at Sardi's, attended Broadway openings, and actively participated in fundraisers.
What was Joyce Randolph's impact on television viewers?
In the early 1980s, Joyce Randolph realized the enduring impact of The Honeymooners on television viewers when her son shared that people often asked him if she was really Trixie. She expressed regret that the role limited her career opportunities, as directors often considered her too well-known as Trixie.
Who were the other main cast members of The Honeymooners?
Joyce Randolph was the last surviving member of the main cast. Other members included Jackie Gleason, Audrey Meadows, and Art Carney. The show was later revived in the 1960s with Jane Kean taking on the role of Trixie.
What was Joyce Randolph's personal life like?
Joyce Randolph, born Joyce Sirola in Detroit in 1924, joined a road company of Stage Door around the age of 19. She later moved to New York, performed in various Broadway shows, and had a vibrant social life during her retirement. She was married to Richard Lincoln, a prosperous marketing executive, and they had one son, Charles.
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