Shirley Mitchell (born November 4, 1919) is an American film and television actress.
Shirley Mitchell was born in Toledo, Ohio on November 4, 1919. She attended the University of Toledo and the University of Michigan.
Shirley's first acting role was in 1944 as Alice Darling in Jamboree. After moving to Chicago, she appeared in the network broadcast of The First Nighter and played small parts in various soap operas including The Story of Mary Marlin and The Road of Life.
After moving to Los Angeles, she played opposite Joan Davis in The Sealtest Village Store. She also starred as Honeybee Gillis in The Life of Riley and joined the cast of Fibber McGee and Molly as Alice Darling in 1943. Her most prominent radio role was that of the charismatic Southern Belle Leila Ransom on The Great Gildersleeve radio show beginning in September of 1942.
In 1953, Shirley joined the cast of I Love Lucy playing the part of Marion Strong, Lucy Ricardo's friend. As of 2007, she is one of two recurring cast members still living (the other is Doris Singleton who played Caroline Appleby).
In 1962 she played Mrs. Colton on the CBS-TV comedy series Pete and Gladys, and between 1965-1967, she appeared as neighbor Marge Thornton on NBC-TVs Please Don't Eat the Daisies.
In 1992, she married songwriter Jay Livingston and the two remained married until his death in 2001. She was previously married to Julian H. Friedenand; the marriage produced two children.
In 2007, Shirley appeared at the 5th Annual TV Land Awards where Lucille Ball was posthumously awarded the 'Legacy of Laughter' award.
