"I've Got Another Sick Headache"

The ultimate wasp and nosey mother-in-law was what Mabel Albertson played on TV and in the movies but in fact she was neither. She was born in Lynn Massachusetts in 1901 to Russian born Jewish immigrant parents. Albertson's mother was a stock actress who worked in a shoe factory in Lynn to make ends meet for her family. Albertson's younger brother was another actor Jack Albertson from "Chico and the Man", "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and "Poseidon Adventure" fame.

Alberston started her film career in the late 20's and early 30's. One of her memorable film roles was as a banker's wife in "Ma and Pa Kettle go to Waikiki". In the 50's she began appearing on television. Alberston began playing a series of waspy busy body mothers and mother-in-laws. She was Donald Hollinger's mother on "That Girl" and she was most famous for her role as Mrs. Stevens Samantha's neurotic mother-in-law on "Bewitched".  She was also Howard Sprauge's mother on "The Andy Griffith Show". She also played Paul Lynde's mother-in-law on the "Paul Lynde Show". One of her most memorable film role was in "What's Up Doc" as Mrs. Van Hoskins the woman who's jewels were stolen.
In real life she was a mother-in-law to Cloris Leachman when she was married to Albertson's son George Englund.

Mabel Albertson died from the complications of Alzheimer's disease in 1982 at the age of 81.