I Love Lucy: Doris Singleton Dies; Farewell Carolyn Appleby

Actress Doris Singleton died yesterday at the age of 92. She was best known for her recurring role as Lucy Ricardo’s “friend” Carolyn Appleby on I Love Lucy.

After being featured as a teen dancer with the American Ballet Theater, Singleton became a vocalist with Art Jarrett’s orchestra in the late 1930s. She had a distinctive voice and that led her to establish a career in radio, working with George Burns, Gracie Allen, Bob Hope, and Jack Benny.

She met Lucille Ball prior to a performance of My Favorite Husband, the radio show that preceded I Love Lucy. Singleton acted in 10 episodes of the classic I Love Lucy sitcom and appeared on Ball’s later shows, as well as the 1980 special, Lucy Moves to NBC.

Singleton went on to guest on dozens of other classic TV shows like Adventures of Superman, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, My Three Sons, The Munsters, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., Gunsmoke, Twilight Zone, The Fugitive, The FBI, All in the Family, Marcus Welby MD, Phyllis, Days of Our Lives, and Dynasty (her last on-screen role).

In later years, Singleton was often interviewed about her long career and her memorable role on I Love Lucy. Her husband, Charles Isaacs, was a comedy writer, director and producer. He died in 2002 after the two had been married for 61 years.

What do you think? What do you best remember about Singleton’s long career and many roles?

More about: Adventures of Superman, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, All in the Family, Days of Our Lives, Dynasty, Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., Gunsmoke, I Love Lucy, Marcus Welby MD, My Three Sons, Phyllis, The Fugitive, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The FBI, The Munsters, Twilight Zone

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